It thundered in my chest as I spotted my house. The blood in my veins raced, and the tattoo radiated with a tingling energy. I had to force myself to wait until the car came to a complete stop, when what I wanted to do was jump out of the moving vehicle and run home. But that didn’t stop anyone else from doing something reckless and irrational.
I mean irrational was his middle name, so it was of no surprise that he reached me before I even had my fingers on the handle. I sensed him before I saw. Actually, I don’t think I ever saw him. One minute I was in the passenger seat and the next I was in his arms. The car door swung open with such speed, I heard Emma gasp beside me, and I wouldn’t have been shocked to see that Chase had literally ripped the door right off the hinges to get to me.
I was crushed against him.
Burying my face into his neck, I inhaled the scent of him like it was my first breath of fresh air I’d had in years. His heart was racing in time with mine, mimicking each other in harmony. Bands of iron were secured around me, and I was so unbelievably happy that I didn’t care that he was squashing me to death.
“God, please tell me you’re real. That this is real.” The sound of his voice broke me into a gazillion pieces. He sounded shattered, nothing like the arrogant asshole I loved.
“Do I need to pinch you,” I whispered against his neck.
I felt him chuckle, winding his fingers through my hair. “Dammit Angel,” he rumbled.
I sighed contented. That was much better. Behind me Emma swore, Lexi squealed, and Travis laughed. They were all sounds that gave me comfort, sounds that warmed my heart. Holy mackerel, it was fabulous to be home. I wrapped my arms around Chase and squeezed for dear life. “Don’t let go,” I whimpered.
“Never,” he vowed, brushing his lips over my hair.
And just like that I was swept off my feet, moving in impossible speeds. I closed my eyes until the dizziness left. The commotion outside was gone, leaving only the dark and seductive scent of him everywhere. I didn’t need to see to know where he’d whisked me away.
His bedroom.
Hearing the tiny click of a lock brought a small smile to my lips. His hands framed my face, and I finally looked into his eyes, soaking up the sight of him. Radiating a beautiful blend of silver and gold, he stared at me like he hadn’t seen me in years. The sheer intense color of them knocked me off my feet. I could have gazed at him for hours. He leaned back against the closed door never taking his eyes from mine and ran unsteady hands through his black hair.
I groaned at the loss of his touch, my body protesting that it was too soon. I still wanted to be in the his protective confines, but I could see that what he had on his mind was important, so I was going to try to be patient before I threw myself at him. I prayed it wouldn’t take long because I missed him terribly already.
“I never got to tell before–” his voice broke, filled with such emotion, it tugged at my heart. “There is so much I want to say, that I’ve been longing to say, but I just couldn’t find the words. I never expected you.” He tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear and my heart leaped. “Never thought I deserved you and maybe I don’t. But it doesn’t really matter now, because the day you showed up outside my house looking like something from heaven, you were mine. Meeting you was the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.” He smiled, a quirk of his lips. “You gave me hope when I had none. Somehow you tame the demon inside me, when I thought that was impossible. There is no one else in the world for me, but you.”
I was getting choked up, emotions clogging my throat.
He gave me a one-sided smile that made me want to slide back into his arms. “Not another girl can compare to you. When I walk into a room, I only see you. I don’t feel at ease until I see your sapphire eyes.” He leaned in, close enough that I could see my reflection in his silvery gaze. “And when we are apart, you aren’t the only one who feels the pangs in your chest. These feelings didn’t just appear because I saved you from Death, they have been there since the day you walked across my yard. The sooner you get that, the better. Because Angel Eyes, I’m never letting go, I can’t lose you. Never again.”
I couldn’t swallow.
I couldn’t breathe.
I couldn’t function.
My throat had closed up with raw, pure emotion. His striking eyes searched mine, waiting for a response.
Holy guacamole.
Tears of happiness streamed down my face and he kissed them away one by one. “I’m so sorry. So very sorry,” he kept repeating.
It was just like Chase to blame himself. I placed a hand on either side of his face, making him look at me. “This wasn’t your fault.”