you were,” he said quietly. “I could tell something was wrong. I’ve been kicking myself ever since for not pushing it with you, digging deeper to find out what it was.” He paused. “I have something to apologize for too.”
“No.” She frowned. “That wasn’t your fault.”
“Yeah, it was. It was my fault for trying to just coast along with everything all smooth and easy. Something went wrong, and I didn’t have the guts to find out what it was. And then when I found out you’d held out on me with something so important, I was pissed…and I bailed. Instead of making you talk to me and tell me what happened. Even if I was mad at you, I should have stuck around to work through it.”
“Oh.” Her heart swelled up. “Oh, Levi. I didn’t blame you for walking away.”
“Because you expect that, don’t you? From everyone.”
She drew her bottom lip between her teeth as tension stiffened her spine. “Yes,” she whispered. “I’m afraid to care too much. Because it hurts so much to lose people you love.”
His mouth softened and his eyes warmed. “Are you saying you love me?”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Gah. Her throat quivered. Her lips trembled. Okay. She could do this. This was something that scared the ever-loving crap out of her. Admitting her feelings for someone, who could then stomp them into a pulp.
But it was Levi. And the way he looked at her, all calm and reassuring and steady…
“I do. I love you, Levi.”
His eyes closed briefly, relief sweeping across his features. Then he said, “I knew it.”
She burst out laughing. “You cocky ass. You did not.”
He moved toward her, prowling on long legs, reaching for her. “Okay, there may have been a tiny bit of doubt. But that was why I was so confused. I was sure you cared about me. And then you kept something like that from me. I couldn’t understand why. But I think I do now. I just needed to have my head smacked around.”
She slid her arms around his waist and leaned into him. God, he felt so good. So strong and secure. “Who smacked you around? Besides Scott?”
“Hey. He never even landed a punch. I totally won that fight.”
She laughed. “If you say so.”
“It was my sister. Madeleine. I was babysitting Emily and Elijah last night and told her what had happened.”
“You were babysitting? Seriously?”
“Yeah. I do it all the time.”
She felt another rush of love for him. “I came by last night, but you weren’t here. I never thought you were babysitting.”
“Aw, babe. Sorry I wasn’t here.”
“I’m glad you weren’t out on a date.”
He snorted. “As if. I’m pretty hung up on this girl.” He bent his head and touched his lips to hers. “You. I love you too, Sloane.”
Relief loosened her tense muscles and she sagged against him, holding on tighter. “Even though I hurt you and made you mad?”
“Yeah.” He kissed her again, slow and sweet. “Madeleine reminded me of something a very smart woman told me once.”
“What’s that?”
“That not everything is easy. And important things are worth working hard for.”
“Um. I think I told you that.”
“That’s right. Like I said, a very smart woman.” He kissed her nose. “Madeleine put that into the context of a relationship and gave me shit for just walking away. Which is why I was coming to see you tonight. To tell you I love you. And I’m not giving up on us. I was going to say that maybe you haven’t accepted how you feel about me, but I’m going to make you accept it. Or else.”
“Ooh. You know how that bossy stuff turns me on.”
“Oh yeah. I do.” He nodded meaningfully. “I’m going to show you more of that. Face it, Sloane. You’re mine now. I may not have to tie you up and spank you until you tell me how you feel after all.”
She choked on a laugh. “Do you know how very wrong that sounds?”
He grinned.
They smiled into each other’s eyes for a moment, a warm hum building between them.
“Will you tell me now?” he asked quietly. “About your mom. What happened…and how you’re feeling about it.”
“It’s really awful, Levi.”
“Hey.” He nudged her chin up with his fingers, eyes narrowed. “Are you afraid I’ll think less of you because of what your mom did?”
She gave a little grimace. “Maybe.”
“Fuck that. Your mom’s not you. And I know what she did hurt you and marked you forever, but damn Sloane, you’re an amazing woman. I know it wasn’t