Killian is here, and I don’t know what to do about it. I want to throw myself at him and tell him I take it all back, but I’m so scared he’ll reject me. What will he do if I tell him the truth…that I’m pregnant and I ran scared?
Bill clears his throat. “I’ve gotta hit the head.”
I smile at his honesty then I peer up to see Killian lurking by the back door. His dark disheveled hair calls to my fingers and underneath his eyes are purple rings from lack of sleep, but still he’s the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. My bad boy in his black jeans and Rage Against The Machine concert t-shirt. I know he’s pissed. I can practically hear him grinding his teeth at me. “Paris is gorgeous at Christmas time.” His tone drips with sarcasm.
“I don’t want to fight.”
“I gotta say that picture was almost convincing. The one at the Louvre. Nice editing. Guess you learned that in your design class.”
“Killian, you don’t understand.”
“You’re right, Liri. I don’t understand. I poured my fucking heart out to you. I asked you to marry me. But that wasn’t good enough for you, was it? You think that you’re so perfect. That you don’t do any wrong.”
“That’s not true and it’s not fair.”
“Fair.” He laughs darkly. “You want to talk about fair. I nearly died. I thought I would never find my way back to you, but I came crawling on my knees for you like I always do, but I’m done chasing you.”
I gasp and my stomach lurches. “I never asked you to chase me. You said you’d wait for me.”
“I woke up and you were gone. Do you have any idea how that felt or how hard I searched for you? I called Hunter. The bastard I’d love to ram my fist through until there’s nothing left of him. His lie cost me you, but I still fucking tried to fight for you.”
“Killian…” tears roll down my cheeks. His gaze burns into me, and I know that I can’t run from this. I can’t run from him. I have to tell him. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. When I open them, I blurt out my truth, “I’m pregnant and you don’t want that.”
“You’re what?” his head snaps up and his fists clench at his sides.
I meet his gaze and straighten in my seat prepared for him to lash out and tell me how much he hates me. That I wanted to trap him. “I said…I’m pregnant.”
“How long have you known?”
“A few days…it’s why I’m not in Paris.” What’s one more white lie between us?
“Liri…” He sways on his feet and leans against the house for support. Rearing his fist back he punches the side of the house over and over again until his knuckles split and bleed. His dark eyes pierce through me full of tears. “You weren’t going to tell me, were you?” he snaps, and I jump at the harshness.
I stand up though my knees are weak. “Why are you here?”
“Why am I here? Are you seriously asking me that? I’m here for you. I’m here to tell you that I’m fucking dying inside every day that you’re not with me. I’m dying without you. I need you. I fucking need you.”
“You don’t want a baby.” I wipe at my cheeks, but my tears continue to fall.
He walks toward me, and I get choked on my sob. His arms go around me. “You’re right. The idea terrifies the fucking shit out of me. But do you want to know what scares me more?”
I sniffle and inhale his scent. “What?”
“Living without you. So yeah. I’m scared, but you can’t decide for me, Liri. I choose you. I’ll always choose you. Wherever you go, I’ll follow you. You’ll never be rid of me. No one will ever compare to the way I feel when I’m inside of you.” His words gut me and put me back together at the same time.
“How’d you know I was here?” Killian strokes my cheek, and I answer my own question. “Hayley told you I was here.” Cupping my jaw, those obsidian eyes that own me pierce my heart, as he leans in closer.
“She told me that if I truly loved you that I had better get my ass on the next plane to Phoenix or lose you forever. So here I am. I’m not going to chase you, Liri. I’m going to love you. I’m taking you to Las Vegas and putting my ring on your finger and you aren’t going to fight me. You aren’t going to run. You’re going to smile and tell me that you love me. You’re going to say yes, because one day is here, and I’m asking you again. Will you be my wife?”
I smile. “I lov—” my words are cut off with his kiss. Killian’s tongue parts my lips, and I open to him completely. With one kiss he washes away every worry. Every doubt. Home is in his arms. Home is when he kisses me, and I’ve finally arrived at my destination. Killian Hendrix is my destiny.
I moan into him, my toes curling at the sensation of his tongue thrusting deep into my mouth, kissing me like there’s no tomorrow. That butterfly feeling takes flight, and I know that somehow we’ll be okay.
The sound of someone whistling breaks us apart. Woodrow, Liam, and Hayley are watching us with the biggest grins on their faces. Liam winks at me, and Woodrow gives me a nod of approval.
My boyfriend’s back, and he really wants to marry me…
**