Hard Checked (Ice Kings #4) - Stacey Lynn Page 0,95

haven’t been honest with her in a long time.

“What did she want?” she repeats.

I toss her phone to the couch. While she watches it fly through the air, I’m there in her space, hands to her cheeks, forcing her to tilt her head up and look at me.

“Listen to me, Gigi.”

“What did she want?”

“Don’t do this. Please, just listen to me—”

“What—”

Fine. “She says she made a mistake and she wants me back.”

She jolts at that, which I expected, so I hold her tight, not allowing her to break from my hold on her. “You wanted to know.” Frustration leeches through my tone. “I didn’t tell you because it’s not happening. It didn’t matter. It was hard to see her. Hard to listen to that and not be able to give her what she wants—”

“Because of the baby?”

God. Is that really the kind of man she thinks I am? She’s hurt. I get it. I know she doesn’t think that of me, does she? That I’m only with her because of the baby? “No. Not because of the baby. Because of you. Because Madison chose to walk away from me and when I was at my worst, you were there, and when I started accepting she was gone, it was you I wanted to spend time with. And maybe I should apologize for not telling you about Madison, but yeah, I didn’t think you’d know. At least not before I could get home and we could talk about it because I would tell you, but because I walked away and pushed it out of my mind. It was never going to happen, Gigi. And mostly that’s because it wasn’t until I was sitting across from Madison that I realized how crazy in love with you I am.”

“What?” Her eyes widen and lips part.

If I wasn’t so frustrated with myself for not telling her sooner, or for her not trusting me more, I’d kiss away the stunned look on her face.

“Yes. You. I love you and I should have figured that out sooner so I could tell you so you weren’t standing here now doubting me, but make no mistake, it’s you I’m in love with. Madison is my past. You, and our family we’re making, you will be my future and I want that.”

She blinks rapidly and tears fall down her cheeks. I swipe them away quickly.

“I would think you’d want that for me, Gigi. Madison might have flown to Vegas for other reasons, but I have full closure. I firmly, permanently, was able to close the door to my relationship with Madison the other night in a way I have no regrets.”

“I’m sorry,” she says, chin trembling. “The girls came to the bar and showed me and then I was so worried and went crazy… and well… I don’t think I realized how much I love you until I saw them and it hurt. Seeing you holding and kissing another woman hurt.”

“It will never happen again. This I promise you.” It takes a beat. Then two for what she said to me to settle in. “You love me?”

“Of course I do.”

For the first time since I walked into my home, her eyes are shining.

I grin down at her. “Did you hear me say I love you?”

“Yeah.” Finally, she grins. A laugh bubbles from her. “Although I wasn’t expecting that, so you might have to repeat it.”

“Every day. Multiple times if you need to hear it.” I bend and brush my lips over hers. “I love you, Gigi. I swear it. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about that night, but I told her about you.”

“About—”

“No. Not the baby, I didn’t want to be cruel.”

“Okay.” She chuckles and her wet lashes blink. “I’m sorry I didn’t trust you.”

“Maybe you would have if I would have realized how much I love you before then.”

She grins up at me then and smiles so bright it’s almost blinding. “So… we’re in love.” She chuckles and shakes her head like she still can’t believe it. “And we’re having a family.”

“And I hope that you’re in agreement with me, when I say, I want us doing all of it together. As a family. Living together.”

“When should I start packing?”

That’s my girl. She gets hurt and lets things go. And now, she’s as vibrant as she always is. “As soon as we make up and this time, since you were the one who’s mad, I think you should do all the work.” I swoop her up