“I didn’t say I was thinking straight. I was overwhelmed. Pissed that you were hurt and afraid I might hurt someone in retaliation. I nearly kicked Eli’s ass. I blamed him for what happened to you.”
Her eyes widened. “You did?”
“He didn’t tell you?”
She shook her head. “He just said you were leaving.”
I looked down. “I didn’t know what else to do. But I did like you said … well, to be honest, my mother made me go to a therapist, and a few things became clear.”
“Like Ms. Mason’s grandson?”
I nodded. “Yes, but that’s not all.” I stepped near her. I didn’t touch her, but I needed to feel the heat of her. Inhale her scent.
“What else?” Her eyes flared with awareness at my approach. She didn’t back away, but neither did she give me a sign that she was going to let me in.
“I knew I loved you already, but while I was gone, I realized that I didn’t want to live without you.”
She swallowed.
“Mia,” I said, resisting touching her. “I’m an unemployed doctor with enough student debt to choke a horse. I’ve got PTSD and I’m pretty sure this town will never see me the same again. I’m not a good bet when it comes to relationships, and yet I know, without a doubt, that no one could love you like I do. Or wants to dedicate their life to making you happy. And since I don’t work at the hospital now, our being together wouldn’t be a problem. Unless you see some other issues that I haven’t considered.” Fuck, I was rambling. “What I want is you, baby. Please tell me I have a chance. Please tell me you’ll give us a chance.”
Her eyes filled with tears, which in turn filled me with dread. She didn’t feel the same. But then she threw herself in my arms.
“Nick.” She held me tight, and it took a moment for me to get my hands out of my pockets and around her.
“Tell me this is a good thing,” I whispered as I ran my cheek along hers.
She leaned back. “I love you. I have for so long.”
“Oh, thank fuck.” I yanked her against me and seared my lips to hers. It had only been a week since I’d last kissed her, but this felt like I was drinking in her sweetness after an eternity. It was better than before because now I knew she was mine.
“Just one thing I should probably let you know; in case it changes things for you,” she murmured against my lips.
“Nothing will change how I feel. You left me four years ago and that didn’t change how I felt.”
She pressed her hand to my cheek. “I’m unemployed with no job prospects, except maybe Eli.”
“Those fuckers fired you?”
“I quit. Dick was being a jerk so I quit.”
I grinned. “Perfect.”
“Perfect. You sound like we can live on love.”
“We can, baby.” I lifted her up and twirled us around. “I feel like anything is possible.” I put her down and held her face in my hands. “Do you feel it? The power of us.”
She nodded, her smile so lovely it made my heart sing.
“We’ll figure it out. As long as we’re together, we’ll figure it out.” I was so sure of it. In fact, I’d never been so sure about anything before in my life.
“Yes.” She lifted on her toes and kissed me. “We should honor this moment.”
“Oh? How do we do that?”
She cupped my dick over my jeans. “Get naked, Foster.”
My cock grew so hard, it was a wonder it wasn’t peeking out of the waistband of my jeans. “Whatever my gorgeous woman wants.”