“We’ll have it annulled,” she said easily.
“No,” I said firmly. “We won’t.”
“You can’t be serious,” she spat.
“I am,” I replied, standing my ground as she got to her feet.
“That man is trash,” she said, pointing at me. “He’ll ruin your life.”
“Maybe,” I said softly. “But he won’t ever hit me or tell me I’m stupid.”
“Just wait,” she said with a huff, rolling her eyes.
Just as she finished speaking, I heard the Harley’s pipes rumble outside and I panicked. Was he leaving without me?
I spun around and ran out the door, my heart racing wildly in my chest.
“Charlie,” I yelled in confusion.
The bike shut off instantly.
“I love you,” I said, jerking to a stop in front of him. “I know I’m safe now. But I don’t want to stay here. I want to come home with you. I’m sorry that I pushed you away.” I was rambling. “I just needed time. I needed to make sure that you were serious. I didn’t want you to be with me because you didn’t think I could do it on my own, or because I thought I couldn’t do it on my own. I was angry and everything got so messed up in my head and I—I—please don’t leave me here.”
Time stopped as he pulled me toward him and pressed his lips to mine. His tongue slid into my mouth as he threaded his fingers through my hair, holding me in place. It was sweet and filthy all at once, reminding me of the way I’d felt the first time he’d touched me and I’d wondered how I got so lucky.
My hands were full of the dress and lamp so I couldn’t wrap my arms around him, but he didn’t seem to mind. He didn’t pull his lips from mine until we’d given the neighbors quite a show.
“Aw, baby. Haven’t you figured it out by now?” he asked, smiling at me. “I ain’t ever leaving you behind.”