Chapter Thirteen

Killian held her while she cried. Her hands fisted in his T-shirt. He kissed her forehead.

“Stop, baby. I don’t like seeing you cry.”

“I’m so sorry. So sorry,” she said.

“I know. I am too.”

Celine looked at him. “For what?”

“Not giving you the benefit of the doubt. I know you wouldn’t lie to me without a good reason. It doesn’t mean I like it, but I love you, Celine. We can get past this.”

“Let’s go inside.”

“What about him?” Killian nodded at Blaine.

“Let him there. Once he wakes up, I’m sure he’ll leave.”

Killian grinned. “I hope so. I’d hate to kick his ass again. I’m going to have bruised knuckles as it is.”

Celine smiled as she took his hand and led him inside. They sat on the sofa, and Killian took her hand in his, then looked into her eyes.

“Tell me why you thought you couldn’t let me know he was here.”

“I told myself I would tell you about him being here, but not yet. I wanted to know what he was up to and why. Blair mentioned—”

“Wait, who’s Blair?”

“She’s my cousin I mentioned. We’re as close as sisters. I’m actually trying to convince her to come here. Anyway, she mentioned that Blaine might have seen my social media page, and I had pictures of you and me together. I think she’s right. He saw me with another man and wanted to make my life miserable.” She shook her head. “He certainly achieved that.”

“If you would have just told me when he first showed up, I would have been fine with it. Not with him being here, but with you telling me about it. I never would have done anything to him unless he hurt you, but I deserved to know, Celine.”

“I know. I was just scared.”

“About what? Have I ever given you a reason to be afraid of my reactions?”

“Oh, God, no. It’s more him. His anger just explodes. He tried to tell me he was on medication, but I don’t believe it.” She sighed. “I know people who suffer from OCD do get help and their life is better, but Blaine doesn’t see the problem he has. He blamed me for any outbursts. I tried to read up on it as much as I could, and he had all the symptoms. But his anger was scary at times. He never hit me—”

“It just didn’t get to that point. He might have if you had stayed with him.” Killian sighed. “I just wish you would have told me. It was as if you didn’t trust me enough to tell me he was here. To me, you can’t have love without trust. That’s what bothered me. That you couldn’t trust me and if you didn’t trust me, how could you love me?”

“Oh, Killian, I love you so much and I trust you with my life. I just didn’t trust how far Blaine would go. So, by not telling you about him being here, I thought I was protecting you, but after seeing you put him in his place, I’m ashamed that I thought any differently.”

“I don’t like fighting. I don’t think it solves anything. My father always told me and Kian to never throw the first punch, and we don’t, but that doesn’t mean we won’t throw the second one.” Killian stared at her.

“I want you to forgive me,” she whispered.

****

Celine stood and walked toward the window and looked out to see if Blaine was gone, then turned to face Killian. As she stood before him, she could see the pain in his eyes. She desperately hoped her words would reach his heart and convince him of her true love for him once again. But it wouldn’t be easy, trust was not easily regained after a betrayal.

Could she make him see that her feelings were genuine? Or would he turn away, unable to forgive her for withholding the truth? Celine knew that this was her final chance to salvage their relationship, and she couldn’t bear the thought of losing him. Her heart raced as she waited for his response, hoping against hope that he would find it in his heart to forgive her and give their love another chance.

She walked to him, knelt in front of him, and touched his hands, then took a deep breath.

“I know I messed up and I will do anything to make it right. I love you and it would kill me to lose you, but I know I hurt you, and I can never say I’m sorry enough.” A tear rolled down her cheek and he wiped it away.

“Celine, I can get past it. Yes, it hurt me, but I love you and we’re going to be fine, but you have to promise me you will never do anything like that again. You have to trust me, baby.”

“I do. I swear I do. I won’t lie to you ever again.”

Killian stood, pulled her to her feet, and pressed his lips to hers, then he raised them and stared into her eyes.

“I believe you. I won’t ever lie to you either. We’re going to promise to always talk things out, alright?”

“Yes.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and sighed when he hugged her. “This has been the longest two weeks of my life.”

“Mine too. I have missed you, sweetheart.”

Celine looked up at him. “How about you show me how much?”

Killian grinned. “You read my mind.”

He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. He put her on her feet, and stripped her clothes off, then quickly shed his own, then he picked her up again, and placed her on the bed.

He pressed his lips to hers, then kissed her passionately, then he moved down her body. His tongue traced a hot, wet path along her inner thigh, making her gasp and squirm with anticipation. He teased her mercilessly, inching closer and closer without giving her the relief she so desperately craved.

With a low groan, he buried his face between her legs, driving her crazy. She moaned and arched her hips, as he moved his tongue on her clitoris.

She cried out as he drove her close to the edge but didn’t let her fall. She could feel the tension building, coiling tighter and tighter in her core.

“Please,” she panted, her fingers tangled in his hair. He responded by picking up the pace, driving her higher and higher until she was right on the edge.

And then, he finally he gave into her pleading and, she went over. She screamed his name as the orgasm ripped through her, her body shaking as she tried to catch her breath. She collapsed back on the bed, boneless and panting. He grinned at her.

“God, that was so good,” she breathed, reaching down to pull him up for a kiss. She could taste herself on his lips and it only turned her on more.

As they kissed, she reached down to stroke him, and knew he was more than ready for round two.

His hand reached out to take hers, guiding it to his hard cock. The heat of his skin against her palm sent shivers down her spine. With a low groan, he pushed himself inside her, filling her completely. They both stilled for a moment, savoring the overwhelming sensation of being connected in such an intimate way. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he began to move, each thrust sending sparks of pleasure through her body. She couldn’t help but cry out as another wave of ecstasy washed over her. And as they moved together in perfect rhythm. He groaned out her name as he came, their bodies merging into one in the ultimate moment of pleasure.

As they lay there, trying to catch their breath, she reached her hand out to touch his chest, then rolled toward him and kissed it.

“We’re okay now, right?”

“Yes, but no more lies between us. No secrets.”

“I promise. Well, wait, we have to keep some secrets, like at Christmas,” she said, then laughed when he narrowed his eyes at her.

“Okay, only then.”

“And birthdays,” she added.

“Those are totally different reasons to keep secrets.” He rolled to face her and cupped her cheek in his hand. “Marry me.”

“What? You want to marry me?”

“Of course, I do.”

“When?”

Killian shrugged. “Whenever you want.”

“I’ve always wanted to be a December bride.”

“Sure, why not get married in the dead of winter,” he muttered, making her laugh.

“I’ve always thought it so romantic.”

“We’ll get married whenever you want. This December?”

“No, are you nuts? It’s late September. I can’t plan a wedding that fast.”

“So, next year? Damn.”

“Well, we could get married in July.”

“No, that’s not what you want. We’ll get married next December, but I want you to move in with me now.”

“I’d love to. I’ll have to let Abbie know I’m moving out.”

“Will she be alright with that?”

“Definitely. I didn’t have a lease since I thought about buying it. I’m sure she’ll either sell it or keep renting it out.”

“Alright.” He chuckled. “I suppose I’m going to have the guys help again.”

Celine laughed. “This time with furniture and boxes.” She looked at him. “My parents want to meet you.”

“Why? So, your dad can kick my ass for hurting his daughter?”

“He knows I’m the one who messed up. He said he wants to meet the man who made his daughter happy.”

“But you weren’t happy when you were there.” Killian frowned.

“No, but I did tell them how happy you had made me and if I had anything to say about it, we’d be back together because I was not giving up on you.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I think we were both miserable being apart. Two damn weeks, Celine. Damn.”

“But we made up for it,” she said with a wink.

“We’re going to be making up for it some more, but later. Let’s shower, then had to the diner to eat. I suddenly have my appetite back.”

“How did you get here so fast?”

“I wasn’t far from here. I was heading home after stopping at a local ranch. When I read your text about him being here, I turned around and drove here like a madman.”

“I thought you were mad at me because I said he was here.”

“I saw red. Especially when I read that he wouldn’t leave. I had no plan to fight with him. I was just going to tell him to leave.”

Celine laughed. “When I heard your tires screeching, I knew you weren’t happy.”

“I was pissed. Not at you, but him not leaving. ”

“I hope he didn’t do anything to your truck.”

Killian sat up. “Do you think that’s possible?”

“You saw how he is; you tell me.”

“Shit.” Killian got up from the bed, pulled on his jeans, and shirt, then ran down the stairs and out the door.

Celine walked to the window and watched as he circled his truck, then he got inside, started it, and pulled into her driveway.

A few minutes later, she heard the door open, then close. She smiled as she listened to him climbing the stairs, then he appeared in the doorway.

“Get your ass up so we can shower then we’ll head for the diner.”

She raised her arm. “Help me.”

Killian sighed, but walked toward her, took her hand, then pulled her up. He kissed her lips, and led her into the bathroom.

When they arrived at the diner, Killian blew out his breath.

“It doesn’t look like we missed the dinner crowd, does it?”

“Nope, but maybe we’ll luck out and someone will be leaving.”

“Always the optimist.”

Celine smiled. “I try to see the good in everything, but’s that’s not always possible.”

“Let’s get inside. It looks like it’s going to rain.”

“Okay.”

They entered the diner, and smiled at those who waved at them, then he led her past the tables, and slid onto the benches in a booth.

“Hi there, you two. It’s good to see you,” Connie said as she poured water into glasses and smiled. “Are you ready?”

“Celine?” Killian asked her.

“I’m ready. I’ll have my usual, Connie. Thank you.” Celine smiled at her.

“Killian?”

“I’ll have my usual too. Thank you.”

“Be right up.” Connie walked away and entered the kitchen.

“She is just so amazing,” Celine mentioned.

“I don’t know how she remembers everyone’s usual. I can’t remember what I had for dinner yesterday.” He shook his head.

“I wonder if anyone is living upstairs now.”

“No clue, but you can bet, if someone needs a place and it’s empty, Connie will let them move in. She let Bryce stay there after she had her baby even though she didn’t have a job.” He shook his head. “Connie is a remarkable woman.”

“She is one of the kindest people you could meet.”

Killian nodded as he picked up his water and took a sip.

“When do you think we can get me moved?”

“I’ll talk to the guys on Monday.”

Celine smiled. “I can’t wait.”

“I think I’ll just keep you in the bedroom,” he said with a grin.

“That sounds good.”

“You know, I would like to meet your parents, if for no other reason than to get your father’s blessing.”

“Do you go home for Thanksgiving?”

“Yes. Do you?”

“No, I wait until the week after Christmas to visit and stay through New Year’s Eve.”

“You can go with me to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving.”

“I’d love to. I really like your parents.”

“Let’s not tell them we’re getting married until we see them.”

“Alright. I want you to meet Blair too.”

“I’d like that.”

After they finished eating, Killian paid the check, then they walked toward the truck, and he drove them back to her place.

Celine packed a bag while Killian sat on the sofa, then they left again. She was so happy that he’d forgiven her. She had been so scared that he’d leave her.

As she glanced at his handsome profile, she knew he was all she’d ever want in her life. He looked at her, grinned, and continued to drive to his place.

****

Killian was glad about them working out the problem they’d had. Because he had no idea what he would ever do without her in his life. If two weeks about drove him crazy, he couldn’t imagine never being with her again. Celine was his life.

“Do you want kids?” he asked.

“If you do.”

“I wouldn’t mind having a few.”

“Sure, you’d like a few. You’re not the one having them.”

“I’m in it for the fun part.”

“I like that part too.” Celine laughed when Killian chuckled.

After parking by the back porch, he opened the door, and started around to her side, but she had stepped out and had her suitcase in her hand. He took it from her, kissed her lips, then led her into the house.

He grinned as he looked at the dogs and set the case down. They bumped into each other trying to get close to him. But when they saw Celine, they ran toward her. She sat on the floor and cuddled with them.

“Hi, babies. You’re such good dogs.”

“I lucked out with all of them. They are good dogs.”

“What happened to that man?”

“He got a suspended sentence, but he’s not allowed to have another dog.” Killian clenched his jaw just thinking about how close the dog came to dying.

“I think that’s smart.” She put her arm up. “Please help me up.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He pulled her to her feet and she wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his neck, then inhaled.

“You always smell so good,” she murmured.

“And you always taste so good.”

Celine looked into his eyes, and he laughed when he saw her cheeks turn pink.

“Blushing.” He shook his head. “As many times as I’ve been over every inch of you, you still blush.”

“I can’t help it. No man has ever spoken to me the way you do.”

“I can stop if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“It doesn’t. It makes me hot.” She grinned .

“Then I’ll definitely be doing a lot more of that.”

“Make sure you do.”

Killian kissed her lips. “Anything you want. Always.”

She touched his cheek. “I’m so happy you were the wrong man.”

Killian laughed. “You and me both. Who knew we’d end up falling in love?”

Celine hugged him tighter, and he kissed her forehead. She leaned back and stared into his eyes.

“Just promise to love me forever. That’s all I ask.”

“I can keep that promise.”

“I can keep it to for you. I know we’ll have arguments, but we can get through anything as long as we’re together.”

“I agree.”

“Let’s relax for the rest of the evening. Can we go riding tomorrow?”

“It’s going to be chilly, but if that’s what you want, then yes, we’ll go.”

They sat on the sofa and Killian flipped through the channels trying to find a movie. When he heard her sigh, he chuckled.

“I’ll find something, give me a minute.”

After he kept flipping through them, she took the remote from his hand. Turned off the TV and set the remote on the coffee table. He raised his eyebrow at her.

“Let’s skip the movie. I think we should just go to bed.”

“Are you sleepy?” he asked, trying not to laugh .

Celine stood, put her hand toward him, and he took it, then got to his feet.

“Beds aren’t just for sleeping. Come on, cowboy. We still have some time to make up.”

Killian grinned. “That’s better than any damn movie.”

He picked her up, carried her to the bedroom, and kicked the door shut behind them .