“You. Us. Kendrix. I meant what I said, Laney. I never want to be away from either of you ever again. So, you need to tell me what we’re going to do.”
“What do you mean?”
Here goes nothing.
I’m putting it all out there on the line. No holding back. “Where do you want to live, Laney? Here or California?”
“This is your home.”
“And California is yours.”
She’s quiet, and I don’t push her for more. I know she’s processing something; she used to do it then as well. She’s still my Laney—just forgetful. “California has never felt like home as much as Tennessee has since I’ve been here.”
“I go where you go. You and Kendrix, that’s what I need to make my life complete, and you know, maybe a brother or sister, possibly both, for Kendrix.” There’s hope in my voice, and it’s real. I would love to have more babies with her. To get to experience it every step of the way. To watch her body grow and change with our baby. I never thought of pregnancy as sexy until I pictured Laney pregnant with our baby.
“What does that mean? For us, I mean?”
I roll out from under her so we’re both lying on our sides. I need her to see me face-to-face when I say this. “To me, that means that you are the love of my life, and I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. That means I want you and Kendrix to have my last name. That means that nothing and no one will ever keep you from me again.”
“What if I told you I didn’t want us to be together? What then?”
My heart stalls in my chest. It’s not really an option for me, but I have to consider that’s what could happen. “I’d never stop trying to make you fall in love with me. However, if that were the case, I’d still follow you wherever you go. Our little girl deserves both of us in her life. I won’t settle for anything less for her.”
Her eyes well with tears. “Can I tell you a secret?” she asks softly.
“You can tell me anything.”
“I could fall in love with you.”
My heart that was just stalled kicks into overdrive, and I feel as though it could beat right out of my chest. I know it’s not a confession, but it’s the next best thing in our situation. “Can I tell you a secret?” I ask once I can breathe right again.
“Anything.”
“I won’t stop until you do.”
The smile that crosses her face is pure joy. Not just an “I’m happy to be here or good to see you” smile. It lights up her face. Her blue eyes sparkle, and I feel her happiness in my soul.
“We should probably go get our girl.”
It’s the first time she’s referred to her as ours, and it sounds like she means it. “Shower, then Kendrix. Why don’t we swing by the house and get some more of your stuff? I want you all to stay with me. There’s no point in living in a construction zone. You can hang out here during the day, or stop by the house, whatever works, but I want you both with me.”
“Okay.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that. How else are you supposed to have a chance to make me fall in love with you?”
“Good point.” I kiss her hard and climb out of bed, offering her my hand. With her hand in mine, I lead her to the bathroom. Once the water is hot, we step under the spray, and her soft hands begin to roam over my body. A man can only take so much. Climbing out of the shower, dripping water all over the floor, I rustle around in the drawers for a condom. Ripping it open, I cover my hard cock and step back in the shower. Without warning, I lift her in my arms. She yelps in surprise but wraps her body around mine. Pushing her back against the wall, I slide home and fuck her against the shower wall. It’s fast and dirty and even though it’s a complete contrast to earlier in my bed, it’s no less intimate.
It’s us, and it’s perfect.Chapter 19DelaneyToday has been perfect. I’ve never felt this undeniable happiness than when I’m with Kent. Something told me that I needed to come here. That it needed to be me who oversaw the renovations of the house, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine how much it would change my life. The odds of us finding our way back to each other, without my memory, was slim, but fate was on our side.
Not just fate, but my father. He left the house to me. He wanted me to come back here. It’s almost as if he knew that I would defy my mother and visit the estate before selling it. In fact, I would bet he knew the thought of selling it hurt my heart. Almost as much as me not being able to remember it.