“I need to finish this, okay?”
“Okay.” He loosened his hold and she eased back, looking up at him with bright shiny eyes.
“I told myself that since you had one foot out the door from the beginning, I should protect myself now, because it was only a matter of time until you were gone. I thought my mother’s words pushed you the rest of the way.” She pursed her lips at the memory.
He winced, knowing he’d given her cause to feel that way.
“I just . . . I was so devastated by my mother’s words that I couldn’t believe you loved me like you said you did. But you didn’t give up. You picked me up for my opening, and kept visiting. You sent my favorite flowers even when I didn’t let myself acknowledge what they meant. And then my father came to visit.”
Sam reared back at that. “If he hurt you again—”
She shook her head. “Just the opposite, in fact. He said he refused to help Tyler’s father out because of what he’d done to me. Sending the Russians after me.” She drew a deep breath. “And he told me I matter. And he said it because you stood up to him. You essentially told him he was a shitty parent, and in doing that, you told me that I matter to you.”
She sniffed, wiping at her damp eyes, and laughed at herself. “I’m a mess. But the point is, I should have believed in you way before I finally did.”
“Are you finished?” he asked. “Because I have something to say.”
She smiled, lighting him up inside. “Yeah, I’ll be quiet now.”
He grasped her hand in his. “You didn’t believe in me because I didn’t give you a reason before. But I swear to you, I’ll never give you cause to doubt me again.”
Nicole had learned a hard lesson, letting her parents and insecurities dictate her emotions. “I’ve been miserable without you. Even my grand opening lacked the luster it should have had.”
“I missed you too. But I’m so damned proud of what you accomplished.” He grinned, and all the remaining tension fled her body.
“I’m pretty proud too. I guess I had a minor glitch in my programming,” she said, embarrassed at how badly her parents had gotten to her. “I’m used to not getting much from them, but having the man I love witness it?” She shuddered.
“It’s over. And if they want to see you after this, they’re on their best behavior or they can stay home.”
She brushed her fingers over his cheek. “Because I have my very own cop . . . I mean detective to protect me.”
“You’re damned right.” Taking her off guard, he sw
ept her up and into his arms, a place she hadn’t been in too long.
She squealed. “What are you doing?” She glanced around but they were still alone, nobody watching.
“Taking you home with me where you belong. We’ll take this year and enjoy, but afterward? We’ll reevaluate that lease on the house, because I’m not keeping separate places longer than I have to.”
She laughed. “I like that you’re doing long-term planning.”
“Baby, with you, I’m planning on forever.”
Her heartbeat thudded hard in her chest, his words giving her the comfort and security she’d always craved along with the bonus of love and passion thrown into the mix.
She just had one lingering question. “Sam? Are you sure your family will accept all of me? I mean, Victoria’s locked up for the foreseeable future, but someday . . .”
His eyes took on a determined glint. “She’s your twin. If she gets well and healthy and is released, she’s family. Somehow we’ll make it work.”
She closed her eyes, wondering what she’d done to deserve this special man. She sighed with happiness and nuzzled her cheek against his. “I missed this,” she whispered. “I missed you.”
“I love you, Nicole.” He shifted her, reaching into his pocket so he could grab his keys and unlock his truck. “And now I’m taking you home to show you how much. We’ll get your car later.”
She laughed as he walked around to the passenger side so she could get in. “I like how you think, Detective. You’re perfect for me.”
“We’re perfect,” he said with a grin. “Perfect together.” He grinned and slid his lips over hers in a kiss that teased her with things to come.
A long, happy future of many, many wonderful things.