“Caleb, I waited ten years to be with you again,” she said seriously. “This is all I want.”

Her words filled my chest with warmth, but something was still nagging at the back of my mind. It wasn’t that long ago that we were fighting about my painkillers. I knew how much Tara cared about me, but did she trust me?

“I want to be with you,” I said. “That won’t ever change. But are you sure you’re ready for this? I mean, with the cancer and everything?”

She frowned and searched my face. I didn’t say anything else, and soon, understanding dawned on her. She smiled softly and stroked my cheek, making my eyes flutter closed.

“You’re worried I don’t trust you,” she said, as if reading my mind. “Because I freaked out about the painkillers.”

“Well, yeah.”

“I was wrong,” she said firmly. “I was scared that you were going back to your old ways. I’m sorry I doubted you. I really am.”

“I know you are,” I said. “But—”

“But nothing,” she said, putting her finger to my lips. “I trust you, Caleb. I know you’ve changed. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that you’re the man I’m supposed to be with.”

I smiled and kissed her, dancing my lips against hers. She felt so right pressed against me. I could have held her for hours, just kissing her and losing myself in the feel of her body.

She pulled away and sighed, laying her head on my chest and nuzzling closer to me. Now that her father was on board, nothing was stopping us from being together. She was mine, and I was hers. For as long as we wanted.

“Will you come with me?” I asked softly.

“Where?”

“The fire station,” I said. “I want you to meet the guys. Officially.”

***

We walked through the back door, and I immediately heard voices coming from the kitchen. I grinned at Tara and led her through the station. She’d never been here before, and now that I was back at work, I wanted her to see the place.

“Hey assholes,” I said as we stepped into the kitchen. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

Tara held my hand and smiled around nervously. The guys all fell silent and stared, their eyes darting down to our intertwined hands.

“Wallet girl,” Greg said.

“That’s just my stage name. I usually go by Tara,” she said, her wit as sharp as ever.

“What the hell are you doing with this idiot?” Greg asked, jerking his head toward me.

“Watch it,” I warned.

“Watch what?” he asked. “You gonna kick my ass with that crippled leg of yours?”

“It’s all healed up now,” I said. “I’m ready to go whenever you are.”

“There’s a lady present,” Tyler said, standing up and walking over to us. “Behave yourselves.”

He stopped in front of us, and I felt Tara tense beside me. She recognized him from the party.

“Listen,” Tyler said. “I’m sorry I was such a douche. Alcohol, you know?”

“Just don’t let it happen again,” I said.

“Scout’s honor,” Tyler said, holding up his fingers. “But seriously, Tara, I’m sorry.”

“It’s all good,” she said, laughing. “I’m hot. It happens.”

Tags: Rye Hart Erotic
Source: readsnovelonline.net