“Is that a yes?”
His knuckles grazed my neck and outlined my breast, traveling down to my lap where my cold hand was tucked between my legs. “I don’t know what forever is, April. I don’t even want to think about the finish line while I’m in the race, because that’s the end, and I don’t want this to end. If that means forever, then yeah.”
“So maybe it’s time that I tell you.”
He didn’t blink and I could almost hear his heart pounding. So I gripped his hand and leaned in close, my forearms against his chest and my fingers touching his smooth jaw.
“I love you. That’s a big deal because I’ve never told that to another man except for Trevor. My heart is the only gift I have to give to you. I love this life we have, and this future…”
Holy smokes, I was crying. Tears streamed down my face. As much as I’d rehearsed that moment in my head, it never involved tears or having to rub my runny nose.
“I just want you to know that it’s a big deal for me not to just share my life with you, but my heart. Every piece of it, even the broken ones. I can’t give you kids—not just because we can’t have children together, but because that’s not what I want in life. My past is something I’ll never shake free of, and maybe some people can get over it and move forward, but that’s not the life for me. You have to be okay with that because if you want a family, I don’t want to deny you of it.”
Reno sat up, grabbed my legs, and turned me so that I was straddling him. He wrapped the blanket around my back and slipped his arms around my waist.
“Just so we have a few things straight, princess, I’m turning your old bedroom into a reading room. When our pack gets bigger and we have to give up the room, then the lounge downstairs will be your library and you’ll have your own time where you can close the door and no one will bother you. I’ll put locks on the damn door if I have to. You’re also going to learn to ride a motorcycle, because bikes are my life and I want to share that with you. Even if it’s just taking a spin around the property, I want you to learn to handle something powerful without fear. I’m also going to show you a little self-defense because women should know how to take care of themselves.”
I kissed his cheek as he spoke, making my way to the other side.
“Like I said a while back, we’re done with all the belts and tying up. Obviously we both like to be in control, but we can work out our needs together. I still work as a PI, and if I have to leave town, then Trevor is going to look after you. If it’s something serious, you see Austin.”
Wow, he was getting serious with the talk. I told him I loved him, and he was planning out our days together.
“Next summer, I’m taking you on a trip to Hawaii.”
“What?” I exclaimed and laughed all at once. “That’s not necessary.”
“Oh? Humans take vacations all the time. When’s the last time you had one? Plus, I want to see that gorgeous body in a bikini.”
“Ah, now I’m beginning to see the big picture,” I said with a giggle, kissing his chin and ruffling my hands through his short hair. “I have a few conditions of my own.”
His brow quirked. “Oh?”
“Every so often, I want you to skip a shave or two. I like your stubble.”
“Done.”
“I’m also a little messier than you, and I’ll try to pick up, but don’t get all neat-freak on me and start lining up my shoes. My sister has OCD and if you don’t keep that under control, it can take over. I’m not saying you have it, I’m just pointing out that I’ve never seen a man neatly line up packages of gum on his dresser like you do. I also want you to teach me how to play horseshoes.”
He smiled. “Is that so?”
“Yeah. I’m having fun learning all these new things. I want to be good at something.”
“Oh, you’re good at something,” he said suggestively, waggling his brows. “I like it when you nibble on my ear. Maybe you can do some of that later on.”
I slipped my arms beneath his and held on to my man so tight I could feel his heartbeat. His warmth surrounded me like the Pacific sun melting across tranquil waters. Reno kissed the top of my head and began rocking the swing again. Inside the house, Maizy was singing a Christmas song and Ivy joined in.
Someday I would die before Reno’s time. I didn’t understand Breed magic enough to speculate how his body would age, although from what he said, everyone is different and it was quite possible we could grow old together.