by Stacy Borel
He demanded it?
“I’m sorry, Molly. Do you hear me this time? I’m sorry. I made a mistake. Not a small one, but a huge one. I messed up. I want to try this again. We deserve to see what could happen between us with everything out in the open. I don’t want to hurt you. And I swear, I’ll do everything in my power to never do it again.”
The depth of his words were sinking in. He was begging me with his eyes to believe him. He meant what he was saying. Blake was apologizing and I was putting him through the ringer. I couldn’t feel bad about that, but he needed to know this couldn’t happen again. My heart wasn’t something that could be mended with pretty words and cuddles.
“How do I know you won’t?” I couldn’t help the tears that were pooling in my eyes.
He reached out and cupped my cheek. I allowed it. “You’ll just have to believe me, I guess.” He brushed a tear away. “I’m falling for you, Molly. I didn’t know I was capable of feeling love again, but you have showed me it’s safe. I’m okay to feel with you. This is what I wanted to tell you last night. I think I’m in love with you. And I want to be with you. Every day, all day, every minute you’ll let me.”
My heart was galloping in my chest. My ears couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of his mouth. Despite all of the pain, I believed what he was saying. He had true feelings for me. I couldn’t deny that. I knew it the first night we’d spent together. I just needed to realize Blake had been through a lot in his life, and he was doing the best he could with what he had known. He was on a learning curve and I had to have patience. We needed better communication.
I licked my dry lips and wrapped my hand around his wrist that was near my face. I leaned into him and soaked in his warmth. “I believe you. And I love you too.”
He ducked his head so he was eye level with me. “You do?”
I nodded. “I do.”
He made me smile when he tipped his head to the side. “The for sale sign, woman. You were really going to sell the house?”
I had the nerve to appear sheepish. “Yeah, and I think I still might.”
His face dropped. “But I thought we just—”
I smiled. “Blake, I’m kidding. Well, maybe. My realtor said I could sell the house for more than I paid for it. Considering how good I did in here, I’m thinking I may have a future in flipping homes.”
“Molly,” he scolded.
“I’m just saying, it wasn’t all that bad. I mean, I did do the showerhead, ceilings, paint job, and sanded cabinet doors. If I took on another, I may become a pro at this.”
“Are you kidding? The house would be on the ground if I hadn’t rescued it from you.”
I gasped. “You take that back.”
“Or what?” he teased.
I snuck my other hand behind me and dipped a finger into the paint. Swinging my arm around, I smeared gray across his cheek. “That.”
He chuckled. “You’re a pain in the ass, you know that.”
I smiled. All the unease was washing away. “I do. And I’ll speak to Melonie tomorrow. I really may still sell, but I think it’s something we need to talk more about.”
“That for sale sign is coming up when I walk out of this house.”
“Bossy jackass,” I grumbled under my breath.
“What? I’m sorry, I missed that.”
“Nothing.” I scooted closer to him.
He cupped my cheeks and was now only a hair’s breadth away from my lips. I was dying for him to kiss me. To seal the deal with all of our pent-up emotion. Nobody’s stomach should be put through this kind of roller coaster.
“I love you,” he whispered.
It was so soft I barely heard it. But I did and I was done for. As a writer, not even I could have written this kind of love story. The angst, the heartache, the love, the sadness, the tension, it was incredible. I’d never want to live through the last three months again, but I would if it meant I was right here, in a house built on love, about to kiss the man of my dreams. This was what my kind of stories were made of.
“I love you too,” I whispered back.
“I think you’ve fixed my heart, Molly Hartford.” He smiled.
I couldn’t wait any longer. I pressed forward and my lips met his. It was electric. The softness of his kiss and the fervor between us was all two people could ever need.
“Good, I’m glad.”
He laughed and deepened the kiss. I was happy. The absolute happiest. This was my life.
Blake Whitmore had fixed me too.
To my best friend, Nichole Eckert. You are one of the most beautiful human beings I know. Your heart is golden and you’ve stayed by my side. Everyone should have a best friend like you… but, not you. Cause you’re MY best friend, and I don’t share.
Bryan Eckert, thanks for sharing your wife with me when I need her. I know I’m a time hog. And thanks for giving me ‘words of wisdom’ for the novels when I’ve needed it. Also, being Mr Fix-It for this novel.
Emily Lawrence, I appreciate your incredible editing. You’re thorough and fast. I think you’re a hidden gem.
Sofie Hartley, my cover is impeccable. Thank you for taking a small idea I’d given you, and coming up with something I could be proud to show off. You’re a pleasure to work with.
Kassi Snider, girl you always help me in a bind. Thank you so much!
Enticing Journey, you all are always my ‘go-to’ for any and all book blitzes. My previous successes are a true testament to how well you spread the word and help me promote. I appreciate you.
My readers, thank you very very much for sticking by my side. You all are the reason I still continue to create stories in hopes that you enjoy them as much as I do when they take life in my imagination. All of the kind words, messages, emails, and comments are music to an authors ears. You are truly amazing.
