When the Wind Chimes - Mary Ting Page 0,87

his warmth. This was what I’d tried to avoid. This was the reason I couldn’t talk to him, let alone be face-to-face with him.

Lee pressed his forehead to mine. “You said I’m a man who has everything, but you’re wrong. I don’t have you. You complete my everything. Please don’t leave. I want you. I want us. You painted the blank canvas of my heart with colors I’ve never seen or felt. Joy, laughter, and love. I want it all with you. And you deserve everything. Let me be the one that gives it to you.”

I blinked in surprise and my heart combusted with happiness. I couldn’t believe all that he was telling me. This man was too good to be true.

In the two years I’d been with Jayden, he had never expressed what he had felt for me. But Lee, he was an open book. He had poured out his heart and I knew without a doubt he meant every word. He made me feel important and that I was enough.

It was then when I realized that what I felt for Lee was much deeper and real than anything I’d felt with Jayden. What I’d had with Jayden wasn’t love. With Jayden, it was all about him. But with Lee, it was all about us.

Relationships were complicated. And the love thing ... What did I know about it? But with the right person, your heart explodes with pure bliss, and you feel like you can fly. Abby was right. Love was easy when it was right.

I loved his heart.

I loved the way he loved Bridget, and the way he paid it forward.

I loved how much he wanted me and the promise of tomorrow with him.

Pulling back enough to see his face, I said with conviction, “I want us, too. I want you to be the one to give me everything I deserve, and I want to do the same for you.”

Lee gave me his gorgeous smile, but his eyes gleamed darker. As he wrapped one arm around my lower back and cupped the back of my head with his other hand, he pressed his lips to mine.

Thump went my purse. My arms went to his firm biceps.

The kiss was soft and sweet at first, until I moaned and my hands traced across his hard pecs.

He sucked in a breath and yanked me closer, my softness pressed against his hard chest. As his fingers laced through my hair, I parted my mouth and kissed him madly, tongues tangling.

We kissed with desperation, with all the pent-up momentum of longing we’d had ever since that time in the painting room. Perhaps even earlier, since the cab when I tossed my wet hair at him. He thirsted for me as I did for him, and I wasn’t sure if we would ever be quenched.

When he kissed me even deeper, my body ignited with the sparks and this time they didn’t fizz out. They burst with tiny fireworks, spreading to every inch of me until they exploded in a grand finale. I melted, evaporated, and drifted off into oblivion. And I’d swear I heard wind chimes tinkling.

I knew kissing Lee would be amazing, but I had underestimated him. I had floated off the stars and I’d thought I would never come down. Then Lee embraced me tightly like he never wanted to let me go, and finally released me. Breathless, his forehead pressed to mine, he lowered his hands to my hips.

“I’ve been wanting to kiss you for a long time.” He caressed my cheek, his eyes tender and gleaming. “I’m disappointed that I have to cut it short, but I think we should let your family back in now. Bridget is with them, too. They’re waiting for us. And just in case you’re wondering, Bridget loves the idea of us together.” He took my flower off my hair and placed it on the left. “There. Now you’re taken.” He winked. “Should we tell everyone the good news?”

I frowned at him playfully, still catching my breath, and the feel of his memorable kiss lingering on my lips. “Only if you answer two questions.”

He scrunched up his nose. “Okay.”

“What did I say to you that night when you found me sleeping in Bridget’s bed?”

A smug grin bloomed on his face as he shifted his weight from side to side. “You said ... goodnight, husband.”

“Oh, my goodness. I did?” I gnawed on my bottom lip, mortified.

“Don’t be shy.” He caressed my cheek. “I liked it. You