Adore Me (Austin Singles 3)

“I packed your swimsuit. We have access to the swimming pool on the roof, and I had the manager stock the kitchen with a few items. I wasn’t sure how hungry you would be after the reception.”

She turned and faced me, and a single tear made a slow trail down her cheek. My breath caught in my throat, and I rushed across the room to her.

“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” I knew the drama with Jarod would most likely catch up with her. The moment I had seen him in the hallway with her, I’d wanted to beat the shit out of him. But when Morgan gave me the look that said to stay back, I knew I had to let her handle it. And she did handle it, like the amazing woman she was.

“I don’t know why I’m surprised you did this. You are the most thoughtful man I’ve ever known, and the way you love me . . . sometimes, I feel like this is a dream, and I’m praying I won’t ever wake up.”

I let out a breath and took her face in my hands, relieved that her tears had nothing to do with earlier.

“This isn’t a dream, Morgan, and I love you more than I could have ever imagined I would love someone. Every time we’re together, I can’t stand the thought of leaving you, even for a few hours. All I want to do is show you how much you mean to me.”

“Blake,” she whispered as she closed her eyes. When she reopened them, I saw that spark that said she loved me as much as I loved her. I didn’t doubt for one second that she loved me, but I had been waiting for this very moment. The moment she realized I wasn’t going to hurt her like Mike had. I would never hurt her. I needed to always tell her the truth, and that would start with telling her about the night my mother died.

“From the moment you walked up to me that second night in Butch’s bar, I knew with all my heart that I would fall head over heels in love with you. I think I knew it that morning I read your note after you brought me home. No one has ever made me feel so loved before, and I hope you know I love you just as much. You are my life. My happiness. The reason I walk around with this smile on my face all the time.”

I let out a soft laugh. Morgan raised up and kissed me softly on the lips. When I wrapped my arms around her, we deepened the kiss. Her fingers pushed into my hair where she tugged lightly, causing me to let out a soft moan.

“Marry me, princess.”

She giggled and pulled back to look up at me. “I already said yes.”

“Right away. Tomorrow. Tonight. Hell, if I thought we could do it this moment I would.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “What?”

“I want to make you my wife. Make you mine.”

“Blake, I am yours. Forever. That doesn’t change whether we’re married or not.”

Placing my hand on the side of her face, I took in a deep breath, closed my eyes, and slowly exhaled.

“Blake, do you want to tell me what is going on your head? Why all of a sudden is it so important to marry me?”

I took a step back then dragged my hand over my face. “Shit. I’m sorry. I guess I’m worried that if you knew you’d change your mind.”

Her eyes widened some. “If I knew what?”

Shit. I hadn’t meant to say that. I walked back into the living room and sat down on a sofa. I tried to push away that old familiar sickness that crept up every time I thought about that night.

Morgan sat down on the wooden sofa table and took my hands in hers.

“Sometimes I think back to when only I knew you as Nash’s friend. You were so differen

t.”

“That was before you.”

She smiled. “Charlie said that exact thing earlier this evening.”

“I played a part, mostly.”

With a nod, she added, “As a way to put up a wall?”

Our eyes met.

“I’m not going to try and get you to tell me what it is you’re keeping in, but I know there’s something. I went to Butch’s place once a year for one reason: to drink away the guilt I felt about Mike killing himself. You go there for a reason, too, don’t you?”

I felt my heart hammering in my chest while beads of sweat appeared on my forehead.