Bucked (The Invincibles 6)

“Nothing.” She tried to turn away, but I put my hand on her arm.

“And?” I repeated.

“Things will be different.”

I felt like she’d punched me in the gut. “Because your one true love, Sumner Copeland, has returned?”

Her eyes scrunched. “What did you say?”

“You heard me.”

“That’s rich, coming from you.”

“Deny it.”

“Deny that Cope is my one true love? You’re joking.” She moved away from me. “This is bullshit, Buck. Just because you have feelings for Ali, doesn’t mean you can turn this around on me. I left Cope behind a long time ago. If you can’t do the same with the woman who is now his wife, that’s your problem.”

She stalked out of the house. I followed and stopped her before she could step off the porch.

“I don’t feel that way about Ali,” I said, standing in front of her so I could block any of her attempts to get around me. “I don’t love her. I never did.”

“That isn’t the way I remember it.”

“What about you? You were just as in love with Cope.”

“I know better now.”

“How?”

Stella shook her head.

“Guess what? I know better now too.”

“How?” she whispered.

“Because I know the difference. For the first time in my life, I know how it feels to really love someone.”

“Do you?”

“I do and you do too. You just said you know better now. How, Stella? Because like me, your heart has finally found a home?”

“Buck…you told Cope you’d meet them at the gate.”

“I don’t give a fuck about meeting Cope at the gate. He and Ali can sit there until sundown, for all I care. I want you to answer me. Do you love me, Stella? Because I sure as hell love you.” I heard the words come out of my mouth and hated that I sounded angry. I wrapped my arm around her waist. “I love you, Stella,” I said in a voice that sounded like I actually felt. “I love you so much.” I kissed her. Maybe because I didn’t want to wait for her to say it back and be disappointed if she didn’t, so I took away her ability to talk.

Our tongues twisted together, and I deepened the kiss, hating that she was right about Cope and Ali waiting for us. I’d just told Stella that I loved her. Now, more than anything, I wanted to show her with my body how much.

“Buck,” she murmured, pulling back.

“I know. Cope and Ali.”

Stella grabbed my wrist before I could walk away. “That isn’t what I was going to say.”

I held my breath, staring into her eyes.

“You were right when you said that I know the difference too. For the first time in my life, I know how it feels to really love someone. You aren’t just my lover; you’re my friend—my best friend if you want to know the truth. I trust you in a way I’ve never trusted anyone, and that’s why I’m so certain.”

I needed to hear the words. “Certain about what?”