Smolder (Wildwood 2)

Delilah went to sit on the couch, not as close as she wanted because she needed the distance to keep her head straight. If she snuggled up next to him they’d start kissing again. And kissing led to touching and touching led to sex. And while she’d love to get naked with him, getting naked wasn’t going to solve their problems. They needed to clear the air first.

He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees as he stared straight ahead. Almost like he couldn’t look at her. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’m sorry I stayed away from you for the past week. I was going through some shit and didn’t know how to talk to you about it.”

“What sort of shit?” she asked softly.

“Panic. Worry. The usual.” He turned to smile at her, looking the slightest bit embarrassed. “My feelings for you confuse me. They always have.”

“Why?” Oh, God. She braced herself. This couldn’t be good.

“One minute I want you more than anything and the next I want to run away from you as fast as I can. You make me feel . . . too much.” He hesitated, took a deep breath before he seemed to decide to go for it. “My parents are—screwed up. That’s the example I had as a kid, and their relationship doesn’t come close to normal. My dad treated my mom so bad, treated all of us bad, and I hated it. Hated him.”

“I know,” she admitted softly, earning a look from him. “I was around your house when I was a teenager. My family has always known yours. I saw what happened.”

“Yeah.” He hung his head, linked his hands together. “After everything my dad did, I swore I would never commit to a serious relationship. I was scared I’d end up just like him and I didn’t want to put a woman I supposedly loved through what my dad did to my mom. I figured it was easier to remain alone than find someone and ruin her. I didn’t want to ruin her. I didn’t want to ruin—you.”

She remained quiet, her throat tight, and wondered if Wayne Gallagher was aware of the lifelong damaged he’d inflicted on his children because of the casual choices he’d made.

“But after spending so much time alone with my crazy thoughts this past week, I realized that I was just hurting myself, thinking like that. I had the perfect woman wantin

g to be in my life and I kept pushing her away. It wasn’t fair to you and really, it wasn’t fair to me either. I’m not my father. And you’re not my mother. We’re two different people, and I hope I can learn from their mistakes so I don’t repeat them.” He turned to fully face her, his gaze dark and serious. “I realized it earlier when we were arguing about the raccoons, Dee. It was stupid of me, denying myself and denying you. I don’t know why I keep pushing you away when you’re the only thing that’s truly bright in my life. Without you I’m nothing.”

“That’s not true . . . ” she started to say but he shook his head.

“It is. I’m a grumpy asshole no one wants to be around if I don’t have you. I’ve denied my feelings for far too long and I’m done. I need you, Dee. I need you in my life. I don’t want to lose you.”

Her heart felt as if it swelled to three times its size at his declaration. “Oh, Lane.”

He rushed on, not letting her talk. “And I understand if you don’t want to be with me after how awfully I’ve treated you. All I can ask is for you to give me another chance. If you give me that chance, I promise that I’ll spend the rest of my days proving to you just how much I care about you. How much I—I love you.”

His voice was earnest, his gaze full of fear at what he’d just admitted, and she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms tight around his neck and kissing him with everything she had.

“I love you too, you maddening, infuriating, stubborn man,” she murmured against his lips, smiling when he chuckled, his big, strong arms coming around her to clutch her to him. She thrust her fingers in his hair, pulling down his head so their lips were close. Kissing close. “We’ve wasted enough time circling each other, don’t you think?”

“Hell yeah,” he said just before he kissed her again. Taking the kiss deeper this time, with plenty of heat and tongue, until she was pushing at his shoulders to get him to stop. “What?” he asked irritably when she broke the kiss.

“I’m starving.” She grinned up at him, and he shook his head though he didn’t look mad. No, he looked like a man who was completely in love with her. His eyes glowed, his smile was soft, and she knew without a doubt that this man—the man who drove her crazy and frustrated the crap out of her—was the very man she was madly, passionately in love with. “Let’s go eat. We can resume all this kissing stuff later.”

“You promise?” he asked, raising a brow.

She leaned in to kiss him one more time. “Most definitely.”

Epilogue

LANE PUT HIS truck into Park and shut off the engine, turning to look at Delilah sitting in the passenger seat. “You ready for this?”

She smiled softly at him, her eyes glowing in the waning sunlight. He’d never seen her look so pretty. Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, a few dark brown tendrils curling around her face. She wore a pale pink sleeveless dress that fit her perfectly. She looked . . . elegant. Classy. Definitely not like a woman who’d be with a guy like him.

“I’m ready,” she said, lifting her chin, the little show of determination reminding him that he’d chosen the perfect girl for him after all. “How about you?”

“I’m ready.” He blew out a harsh breath, trying to expel the nervousness that threatened to take over him. Was he ready to face his parents? Face his entire family with Delilah by his side? He hoped no one gave him a bunch of shit. He’d already warned West, who’d claimed he wasn’t about to start anything tonight. Holden was bringing his girlfriend, Kirsten, so he’d be on his best behavior too.

Wren was the only single one of the bunch, and he doubted she’d give him any grief.

It had taken a little longer than their mother originally planned, but they were all going to eat under one roof tonight. His mom was beyond excited, but Dad hadn’t seemed too thrilled. Neither were his brothers or sister.

But they were doing this for their mom. And maybe, just maybe, they were doing it for each other. To help the Gallagher family heal.

“Let’s go then,” Delilah said. She went to turn toward her door so she could open it, but he grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her to him, sealing his mouth over hers for a quick, courage-seeking kiss.