Love You Always

“I heard you too.” He smiles at me. ‘’You love me?”

“And you don’t love me,” I shout back. The words are almost too painful to bear. “I heard you!”

“I’m not in love with fighting. Not anymore. That’s what I was saying to Seth.”

“Oh.” I bite my lip. Of course he loves me. But that doesn’t change the fact that he hasn’t said it yet. “Why haven't you said anything before?”

“You get scared and run. I was letting you get used to things.”

“Used to what?”

“Us. Me staying. Me taking care of you and it not messing with your head. All kinds of things. I was letting you settle before I took over your world.” He moves, walking over to some sofa thing and sitting down with me in his lap while I straddle him.

“You told everyone to back off, didn't you?” Some things are starting to click into place. The moms are always so chummy with him but haven’t been pressing me about what Tomas and I will be doing next. Which only means one thing: they are up to something.

“I told them to let me handle things.”

“Because I need to be handled?” His hands grip my hips, letting me know I’m not going anywhere.

“Yeah, you need to be handled.” I’m not sure how I feel about that. “And I want to spend my life being the one that gets to do it. Making sure you’re taken care of. Isn't that what a man does for his woman? For his wife.” When he puts it like that it sounds so different then how I had it in my head.

“I don’t want to be someone’s burden.” Tomas throws his head back and laughs. His whole body shakes, shaking me right along with him. I smack his hard chest.

“I’m sorry, but if this is a burden I have to bear then I’m going to enjoy the fuck out of it. If that’s what you want to call it, fine. Me, I call it a dream.” His hands leave my hips, coming to my face. “I’d be honored to take care of you. I’ve spent the past two months trying to show you it’s all I’ll ever want. That I am the man that can handle you. That loves you.”

“I love you.”

“And I love you.” His hand slips around to cup the back of my neck. “Now give me a kiss,” he orders, making me smile. I lean forward, pressing my mouth against his. He really is the perfect man for me. Has been from the very start. The moms were right.

“I’m sorry I ran.”

“Don’t be sorry for who you are. I love all of you. If I have to chase you, I will, but you’ll always end up right here. Every time.”

“Then are we getting married?”

“Please. Your moms are driving me insane.” I burst into laughter. I now know who they have been pestering. “And I need you to help me with this freaking house. I’ve got to start picking shit out and I’m terrible at this. This is your area of expertise.”

“House? Did you?”

“Yeah, I bought the lot next to Alyssa and Sean’s. I thought when they started laying the cement that you were going to bust me.”

“You’re so good to me.” I drop my forehead to his, breathing him in. “I love you so much.” I brush my mouth against his. “When can we get married? I already have your last name on my back.”

“This shirt is hot as fuck.” His hand slips under it. I get a curse when he feels my bare breast. “Looks like you’re going to be watching me fight from in here on the TV because you’re not going out there like this.” I gasp when he tugs one of my nipples.

“I guess I’ll see you when you’re done knocking that dude out then.” I grab hold of his face, kissing him. Telling him with my mouth that I love him. That I’ll never run from him again. Only to him.

“See you in twenty minutes,” he says, breaking our kiss. He stands, lifting me with him before placing me down onto my feet.

“Twenty minutes?” I question him.

“I mean I need time to walk to and from the ring, pixie. Fine. I’ll be back to you in fifteen.” He gives me that smile that lights up my entire world before turning to head out of the door.

“Tomas.” I hesitate for a moment. He turns to look back at me. “I don’t want you to give all of this up if it makes you happy. I can deal with whatever comes. I know what it’s like to love what you do. I don’t want you to resent me in the future.” He’s on me before the last word even leaves my mouth. He kisses me deeply. A moan leaves me.