Rockstar Baby (Crescent Cove 6)

“We’re fixing that. And I didn’t. There’s only ever been you.”

Flashes of Zoe losing all her color and collapsing in Ian’s arms played like a reel on a loop. How the hell was I going to be enough for Ivy? I wasn’t equipped for that kind of loss.

Not of Ivy.

“Yeah, except did you forget the part where you went near radio silent on me in the middle of the scariest time of my life?”

Finally, the reel snapped and stopped. Panic for what could happen superimposed itself on the woman before me. That I could lose her because I couldn’t face this fucking fear. I took a step toward her, but she held up a hand.

“No, you got a chance to say your peace. Now here’s mine.”

Her hair was falling out of its messy braid and was curling in the humidity that was quickly replacing the storm. Whatever makeup she’d been wearing had been washed away. Even in her anger, she was so goddamn beautiful it hurt me to my bones knowing I’d almost lost her.

And still could.

“I don’t know anything for sure, but I’m here, Rory. I’m trusting that you won’t hurt me again. That what you said on that beach today was true.”

Her voice wobbled and I couldn’t stay away from her. I twisted my fingers around hers, holding tight. “It was. I swear it. I want this. I want us.” I pressed our tangled hands to her belly. “Both of you.”

“I want to believe you.”

“I just…” I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment and blew out a slow breath. Letting her see everything was the only way to keep her. And God, I wanted that more than the breath in my body. “I watched that one split second where Ian almost lost her and I just…” I cupped her face. “I can’t lose you. I can’t. I love you too much.”

“What?” Her huge brown eyes locked with mine. “What did you say?”

“I love you, Ivy Rose. So fucking much. I know it doesn’t make sense. But I’m not wrong here, right? You feel it too? I know I have no right to ask—”

She went on her toes and slammed her mouth over mine, then jerked back. “You love me?”

“I do, yes.” I wrapped her in my arms. The echo chamber that used to be my chest suddenly filled as she laughed. Tears blurred her perfect eyes and I frowned. “That’s good, right?”

“So good. I love you too.”

“Oh, thank God. I’d wait for it if necessary. For the right to have a woman like you love me—”

“Rory, stop. You’re everything I want. You’re a complete pain in my ass sometimes, but I love you. I do.”

“Thanks, I think.”

She laughed and dashed away the tears. “It happened so fast. I was afraid that it was too fast.”

“You? I’m the one who thought I was literally going mad, a ghrá.”

“You keep saying that. What does it mean?”

“It’s Irish.”

“I figured.” She drilled her finger into my chest. “What does it mean?”

“My love.”

“Oh.” Her eyes filled again. “You’ve been saying it to me for so long and I didn’t even know.” She fisted my shirt. “You did it on purpose.”

I laughed. “Maybe a little. It kept popping out, no matter how hard I tried to tell myself that I didn’t need you. I didn’t need the complications of love. Work was such a haven for me.”

“You mean a place to hide.”

I tipped my forehead to hers. “Yes, I suppose it was. But there’s no hiding now.”