Chapter 15

Hearing her admit that she's in love with me changes things. It’s what dreams are made from. Maybe now we’ll finally be able to move forward. I’ve waited years for this moment, to hear her say it, to have her choose me. I’ve never forced our relationship and have been patient, waiting for my girl to see what she has—a man who’d worship her from sunrise to sunset.

After we clean up, we settle naked in bed. I hold her against me, promising myself that I will never let her go again. The thought is unbearable.

But as Beckett has always told me: When two people are meant to be together, love finds a way. I know he was referring to him and Summer, but there is truth in that statement.

“Mm, you’re so comfortable to snuggle with,” she says.

It’s always been her, no matter the challenges, and it will always be her.

”Let’s go home,” I say, smelling her hair and the sweet scent of her shampoo. Having her pressed against me is heaven on earth, but I peel away.

”Home, I like the way that sounds,” she admits.

”I want to hold you as we fall asleep and wake up with you in my arms in the morning,” I say, not wanting this to end right now. When we walk out of the room, I don’t want it to be over. Hell no, this is just the beginning.

”I”d love that,” she says, removing the space I created, not letting me go.

”I parked behind the clinic so no one would see my truck.” I don’t want to sneak around, but I also don’t need anyone speculating shit.

”Do you want me to drive you?” she asks with her head on my chest. My fingers trail on the outside of her arm, and goose bumps line her skin.

”No, I’ll walk. The milky way is out.” And I need to clear my mind.

I slide out of bed and put on the clothes she just peeled off of me. Remi props herself up on her elbow, her naked body on full display for me. When she looks at me like that, it’s hard for me to fucking leave, to walk away.

“Rem,” I say, buttoning my shirt, not able to break away. “You’re a cocktease.”

She snickers, but she knows what she does to me. It’s crystal fucking clear.

”We’ll pick up where we left off,” she says.

A smile touches her lips.

She stalks toward me and her legs tremble with each step forward.

”I feel you already,” she says with a sexy grin.

I wrap my arm around her waist. ”Happy fucking birthday, Valentine.”

”It’s been my favorite one.”

I grin. ”Wow. That’s an accomplishment. Guess I hold first and second place.”

”You hold all the places,” she says with hooded eyes, and I know if I don’t go now, we’ll never leave this room. Wouldn’t be the worst thing that ever happened though.

”I should go,” I say, unlocking my phone and checking the time. It’s just past midnight, and no one should be on the ranch.

“Should you?”

It makes me realize that I’m the one who walks away when things get serious. Maybe I’m avoiding shit as much as her. I pull her in for a kiss and grip her bare ass. She arches herself against me and whimpers. Dirty thoughts fill my mind, and if she doesn’t stop, I’ll have her for round two right here on the goddamn floor.

”It’s hard to watch you go,” she whispers.

“You’ve never asked me to stay,” I say, and it’s the raw truth, one that cuts deeper than I thought.

“I didn’t ask you to return, either, but here you are,” she tells me, not taking my shit. It’s what I love the most about her.

I smirk. “You’re right. Here I am, still fucking obsessed and under your spell.”

“You’re not innocent,” she says.

“You’re damn right about that.” My hand fists into her scalp, and she groans against me, always insatiable for my touch. “My only regret is not coming back sooner to claim what’s mine.”

“I’ve always been yours,” she says.

“Then tell everyone,” I say, forcing her to meet my eyes.

“I will,” she says.

“I’m waiting for you, Valentine,” I say, letting go of her. “I want to be with you.”

“Everything is on the line.”

“I’ll fucking risk it all, I don’t care,” I whisper. She doesn’t know the brunt of it. She doesn’t understand that without her, I will lose myself in my work. If she calls this off, I will leave Valentine behind and never return again. There’s more at risk than my clinic and a chance at love; my entire existence is on the line.

During a dark time, I imagined returning to Valentine, to be with her just like this. It’s the only thing that got me through because my heart knows this woman will lead me to true happiness.

“Then I’ll tell the world. If you’re willing to risk everything, knowing how fucked up I am, then fine. There are better choices for you. Don’t you see that?” Remi says.

“Fuck that,” I say, moving her onto the bed, capturing her mouth as she moans against me. “You’re the only woman on this entire fucking planet I want, Rem. You.”

She leans forward and undoes my belt and jeans, and then I’m buried deep inside of her. We’re desperate and eager.

“You have me,” she whispers.

“Prove it,” I say, kissing her neck as I slam into her. We race to the finish line, fucking out our frustrations.

“I will,” she groans out. “I promise.”

And then I empty deep inside of her. “Okay,” I say breathlessly. “Okay.”

We stay holding one another until our heart rates settle. Then I kiss her one more time.

“Worshipable,” I say.

“Speak for yourself,” she says, and I leave.

Before I close the door behind me, I turn and meet her sparkling eyes, taking a mental snapshot of how pretty she is, naked and smiling at me, with the moonlight splashed across the floor.

With a grin, I walk down the hallway to the bottom floor of the BB. I pass no one as I exit the front door and take the side trail that leads down the property line to my clinic.

A smile touches my lips as I look up at the stars and inhale fresh mountain air. It’s comfortable outside as a symphony of crickets fills the space. It’s finally happening.

Fifteen minutes later, I walk up to my truck and Harrison walks out of the shadows.

”Where were you?” he glares at me.

Only problem is I’m not intimidated by him. ”At the BB.” I always told myself that if any of them confronted me, I”d be truthful. Today is Harrison’s day, and it only took seven years.

”I thought you were better than this.”

”Say it,” I say between gritted teeth with my feet firmly planted, ready for the attack.

”You’re fucking my little sister,” he seethes.

”How do you know that?” I meet his eyes, growing agitated, then I smirk. ”Did you watch?”

”Fuck you,” he growls with flared nostrils. ”I saw you two at Beckett’s wedding. Grace and I were in the treehouse and watched the entire fucking thing go down. I’m going to tell you this one fucking time, leave Remi alone.”

“Ahh, so you did,” I say. “I’ve wondered why you started acting weird as fuck.”

“Leave. Her. Alone.”

”No,” I state. ”I can’t do that.”

Harrison goes into a blind rage and throws punches that I dodge.

”You’re going to hurt her like you did before,” Harrison says. ”And I can’t let that happen again.”

His words catch me off-guard, and his fist slams into my mouth. My head falls back, and the world blinks black for a second before I come to. I deserved that, and I’ll give him one.

“You took her virginity, you fucking bastard. Didn’t think anyone would figure it out? I saw you two together all those summers ago. I should”ve stopped this bullshit then.” Harrison uses his strength to tackle me onto the ground.

He falls to his knees with hopes to pummel me, but I twist away. Somehow, I’m faster. Seconds later, my knee is in his chest, and my tight grip is on his throat. He gasps for air, reaching for me.

”I’m sorry it has to be like this. But this ain’t any of your goddamn business,” I say between clenched teeth as I rear back and slam my fist into his face. It only takes one hit, and he’s out.

I stand over him, shaking out my hand with my foot resting on his neck. We”re not kids anymore. I’m too fucking old for this, but I won’t take an ass beating from anyone, especially not Harrison Valentine.

When he finally rouses, he glares at me standing over him. I smile like the Cheshire cat. “Don’t you ever fucking disrespect me like that again, do you understand me? I think you”ve forgotten who the fuck you’re messing with.” I spit in his face.

He stares up at me like I’m crazed, and as I push him away, my own dizziness takes over. The bastard must’ve given me a concussion. My bottom lip bleeds from where his wedding ring caught me, and I wipe the blood on the sleeve of my shirt.

“Let it be known that if you hurt her like you did before, I will fucking come for you, Cash. And I’ll tell Beckett what I saw with my own two eyes. Past and present. You ruin her again, and I’ll ruin you. That’s a promise.”

“Do you think I’m scared of your empty as fuck threats? I dare you to tell him,” I say, meaning every fucking word.

“You’re going to get what you deserve.” He tries to sit up.

I place my foot on top of his chest, pinning him back down with my weight. “You’re right. I’m going to marry your sister, Harrison. And you’re going to fucking accept it because we”re good together, and I love her.”

”And she loves you back?” he asks.

”Yes.”

”She actually said that?” he asks, rolling away from me and standing. For a moment, he might be preparing for round two, but then he backs away, staring at me. ”Did she tell you she loved you?”

It’s not a question I can answer, but my silence does it for me. She told me she was in love with me, but I know it’s not the same. Those three words hold weight.

”She hasn’t said I love you,” Harrison says with a sarcastic laugh, and it wounds me deeper than a fist to my fucking face. ”That tells me everything I need to know about this relationship.”

”Get the fuck out of my barn,” I demand. ”And think twice before you start shit again. Next time, I’m going to drop your ass without question.”

He walks away, flipping me off, and I shake my head as I climb into my truck. I shake off the creeping headache and rest my head against the seat. ”Fucking asshole,” I hiss, hating he knew exactly what to say to get under my skin, just like an annoying little brother.

I rub my hand over my swollen knuckles, then pull out of the barn and carefully make my way to town. Hayden warned me about fighting. I didn’t expect it to be so soon.

Driving with a concussion is the last thing I should be doing, but I want to be home now.

Remi has never said I love you.

She does, though. I can see it in her eyes.

Or am I imagining it?

With a tight grip on the steering wheel, I drive slowly and easily.

When I arrive home, I let out a sigh of relief, but need to sit down.

Remi is at the table, puzzling in a tiny T-shirt and shorts. She turns to me with shiny eyes, but the bright smile on her face disappears immediately.

”What happened? Who did this?” she asks, approaching me and noticing the blood on my shirt and then glancing up at my lip. She touches it when I place my hand on her hip. Right now, I want her close.

”Harrison.”

Her eyes narrow, and her jaw clenches tight.