I turned around and found tears in Rush’s eyes, too. Reaching up, I wiped one cheek with my thumb, then the other. “They were consenting adults. You didn’t promise them anything or lead them on. Loyalty is pledging the truth to yourself and others. You were always truthful in what you wanted from them. But what you’ve given me is also your truth, and it’s because you are so loyal that I have to be the one to walk away.” I put my hand over his heart. “You pledged to be there for me in here. And if I stay, you will be. Because your loyalty is unwavering. That’s the reason I have to go, because it’s your loyalty that won’t let you be the person to walk away.”
Rush looked down and took a few deep breaths. I knew showing me how vulnerable he is wasn’t easy, so I didn’t push. When he looked back up, he stared straight into my eyes. “You’ve always really had it.”
“Your loyalty?”
He shook his head. “You said, sometimes you have to let go of the things you never really had. You’ve had my love since day one. You’ve had me since day one. I was just too chicken-shit to admit it.”
My heart started to beat faster. I tried to stop it, afraid of allowing myself to get my hopes up for fear that he was saying something other than what I wanted to think he meant. But inside of my chest thundered like a runaway train.
Rush cupped both my cheeks. “Gia Mirabelli, I’m so fucking in love with you, that I can’t think straight. There’s no way in hell I’m letting you leave. Not from this house. Not from The Heights. Not from my life. It scares the shit out of me, but I realized today seeing that little boy on the screen, that I’m not just in love with you. I’m in love with that little alien you have growing inside of you already. I want it all. I want the fucked-up dolls in my closets. I want to hold your hair back when you’re puking your brains out. I want to eat Chunky Monkey with you out of the container while we lie in bed naked at two in the morning. And I definitely, most definitely, want to be the one to take care of you when you have a heightened sexual appetite.”
Tears streamed down my face. Of all the things he’d just pledged, for some stupid reason, I got stuck on the ice cream. Maybe it’s because deep down I already knew he wanted to hold my hair back and take care of me, but I thought he might be nuts for thinking he was going to want me as the months passed. “I’m going to be big and fat from all that Chunky Monkey.”
He took a step closer and ran his hand along the curve of my hip. “Bring it on. I’ve been imagining you about fifty pounds heavier and round while I jerked off the last few days. I think I might keep you that way after the pregnancy.”
I laughed, yet as crazy as he sounded, I knew he was telling me the truth. “I think you’re a little insane.”
His beautiful face turned serious again. “I’m sorry I’ve been pushing you away and making you feel bad. But I’m done being a pussy. I want you despite all of my own fears that have nothing to do with you, and despite the fact that you probably deserve someone better than me. Please forgive me, and tell me you’ll stay and be with me. Really be with me this time.”
I didn’t have to think about the question. Although I probably should’ve given him some warning that my response was going to be more than just vocal. I jumped up and into Rush’s arms, causing him to stumble back a few steps and almost fall as he staggered off the front porch. “Yes! Yes!” I planted a kiss on his teeth when he opened his mouth to laugh.
Shaking his head, he said, “Can we move this inside now? I’m thinking it’s about time we seal the deal on this relationship.”“What the hell is wrong with you?” I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror. I’d told Rush to make himself comfortable while I locked myself into the bathroom to get control of my nerves. I’d been with this man. He’d already seen my body naked and went down on me. And not ten minutes ago he’d professed his love for me and the unborn child of another man. Yet I was literally shaking. I brushed my teeth, rinsed my mouth and stared at my reflection a few more minutes. “He said he loves you. Now what are you waiting for?”
A soft knock came at the door. “Everything okay in there?”