Without warning, I blurted, “Do you think I betrayed you? I feel like I did.”
He stroked my cheek with his thumb. I closed my eyes to his soothing touch, but it was worrisome he hadn’t answered right away. I kept telling myself Gabe was entitled to his feelings.
“Open your eyes, Willow. I want you to see mine when I answer you.”
I opened them.
“I don’t think you betrayed me. Not in the slightest. Alex is a different story. Words can’t express the amount of hate I feel for him.”
It was hard to process family hating each other when I had a completely different experience. I leaned into his touch.
“I’m in love with you, Willow. I have been since I first saw you.”
Tears pooled in my eyes while his burned with honesty.
“Don’t let that keep you from me. Please. The only time I’ve ever misled you was with Tack. And that was the last time. I’ll never give you a reason to doubt me again.”
I touched the scruff on his face. I liked the coarse feeling against my skin and imagined it dragging across my sensitive breasts. Oh man, to have it across my nipples. Stop it, Willow. I need to keep a clear head through all this.
“I know you’re thinking about us.”
There was no denying it. “I am.” I cleared my throat ready to put my feelings out there. “I still love you, Gabe. I never stopped.”
Those words felt right as I spoke them, but I was terrified. I had been here before and things had fallen apart not long after.
A huge brilliant smile spread across his face. “Sweetheart, you have no idea how happy that makes me.”
“But… I’m scared.”
Please don’t let this be a repeat.
He kissed my hand. “I’m scared, too. I’m afraid after wishing to have you back for so long this will all be a dream. But, I can promise you this, I will never lose you again. Never.”
His words addressed my fear. But, it was still terrifying to allow love to take such control. “I hope so.”
Gabe scooted closer. “Oh, baby, I promise. Just like I promised I’d come for you, I promise I will protect your love for me.”
I lay down and stared up at the sky, letting his words penetrate my thoughts. “That’s all I want.”
“Willow, I want to kiss you.”
Turning, he was closer than I anticipated. The warmth of his breath brushed against my lips. “I would like that.”
Without hesitation, Gabe pressed his lips to mine. It was sweet and familiar. I wanted more. Craved more. As I was about to open my mouth to let him in, he pulled back. “I don’t want to push my luck and rush you. Let’s take this slow. The wait will make it that much sweeter.”
“Or drive us crazy.” I half laughed.
He winked at me. “That, too.”
Moving to his back, he motioned to me to move closer. “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize your touch when you kissed me as Tack.”
“I had to be careful. It’s why I kept contact to a minimum. The accent kept you from making the connection.”
It was amazing what our cognitive reasoning did to our thoughts. “You kept your familiar touch from me.”
He wrapped his arm around me. “Yes. I had to change all that. I couldn’t stand not having you touch me, but I had to keep it controlled. It was so fucking hard. I want you to know that. I hated doing that to you.”
The sincerity was overwhelming as he held me. I melted. “I know.” It was time to move past the deceit. “What would you think of Carson and Francesca as the godparents to our children?” My throat tightened, hoping that I had the chance to ask him.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
“Me, too.”
The words hung between us. There was a slight breeze and the warmth of his body was the perfect balance while I snuggled into his side. “Have you thought of any names?”
“For the babies?”
“Mmm.” The deep rumble in his chest was sexy.
“I haven’t. Have you?” Honestly, I hadn’t. I was still working on getting used to being pregnant with twins.
“No, but I have something I want to propose.”
“What’s that?” The steady thud of his heart brought me closer to him, and I wrapped my arm around his middle.
“We each have a boy and a girl name. We don’t tell the other. You name the first baby, I name the second one,” he answered.
I raised my head and looked at Gabe. He watched me intently and gave me a loving look. This was to build strength between us. Not knowing what the other one picked, but trusting it was something we’d each like.
I loved the idea and added, “No telling anyone. I don’t want it to slip.”
“So you like the idea?”
“Yes, I love it. It has a beautiful meaning behind it.”
“I agree.” He trailed his hand down my back as we relaxed in perfect harmony.
“When are you going to tell everyone about the twins? Was there a reason you didn’t tell Nonno tonight?”
Laying back down, I pressed the palm of my hand to his heart and the tattoo of the swords crossing each other. “I don’t know why I didn’t say anything. I knew you left it up to me, but I wanted to wait.” It didn’t feel like the right time. It was unexplainable like it had been with how fast I trusted Tack in the beginning.
“I’m fine with whatever you decide, sweetheart. For now, we’ll keep it between us.”
Escaping for the evening was the perfect suggestion to rekindle our relationship.
“Are you comfortable?” Gabe methodically rubbed my feet.
“Mmm…”
We were back at the hotel in our pajamas. Currently, I was being treated to a foot massage. It was amazing. I never wanted it to end. My eyes drifted close.
There was a knock at the door
“Shit.”
Gabe’s curse brought a chuckle from me. I knew he wanted me to rest.
“Let me see who it is.”
“Okay.” My words were still sleepy as I stayed on the pillow.
The door opened followed by whispering.
“Willow, Francesca is here.”
Sitting up, I saw Francesca standing in the doorway with a tub of ice cream. “Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I’ll come back later.”
“No, please come in. I spy with my little eye some ice cream.”
Francesca giggled. “You do.”
Gabe gave me a wink. “I’m going to check in with Trent. You girls have fun.”
I motioned for Francesca to come in as I called, “Oh, we will.”
The apprehension left her face as she walked to the navy couch and handed me a spoon. “Do you like mint chocolate chip? I thought it might be nice to have some girl time.” Dark circles still rimmed her eyes.
Unless Francesca brought Carson up, I wouldn’t. Maybe a little escape from reality like Gabe had provided me would help her.
“I love it. Great choice.”
She popped off the lid and we both dug into the ice cream. The minty flavor mixed with chocolate burst across my tongue.
“This is amazing.” I almost moaned.
She took a bite too. “I needed this. I wish I could be left in the dark until I know everything is okay.”
“I understand.” Everyone needed something different to cope.
We sat back, put our feet on the coffee table, and set the tub of ice cream between us.
“How are you doing, Willow?”
I took another bite. “I’m hanging in there. Things are progressing with Gabe.”
“Ooh la la.” A giggle came from Francesca.
I clarified. “We’re taking it slow. I mean obviously”—I gestured to my stomach—“we’ve raced through a few milestones, but I like the place we’re at.”
Francesca’s hand came on top of mine. “I’m so glad. I can see how much Gabe loves you. I overheard him talking to Trent this morning in the hallway. He told him to do whatever it takes to kee
p you safe.”
A tear left my eye and I wiped it away, moved by how Gabe kept proving he loved me. It’s all I ever wanted. “Sorry. I can’t seem to control the tears at times.”
“Me, either. I feel like a leaky faucet most of the time.”