She stares at me like I’m crazy. “This stuff is mine.”
“Right. You can’t take it.” She continues staring at me like I’ve lost my mind. “It’s yours, right? So, no, you can’t take it. I’ll be lost without that stapler.” I wave to another item. “Or that notepad that has your initials on it. Or just … you.”
I pause, my eyes burning with intensity. “Especially you. I’ll be lost without you. If you leave.”
Giving me a cool, dismissive look before turning her eyes away, she tosses out, “I’m sure you’ll find another—or maybe you’ve already found a new fuck buddy. You’ll be just fine.”
“You’re wrong.” My quiet but firm response makes her eyes snap up to meet mine. “I don’t want another woman. I want you.”
“It’s too late.”
Fuck. I close my eyes at her words, at the finality of them, the way they pierce my heart and soul. I knew there was a good chance it would be too late, damn it.
“Well,” I offer a shrug, “if it’s too late, I’ve really got nothing to lose. Might as well say what I came to say.”
“Oh, and what might that be?” Her sarcasm isn’t lost on me as she focuses on collecting the stray staples that fell out messily into her desk drawer.
“That I’m an ass, and stupid. That I’m sorry I got spooked and lashed out at you. That I’m sorry I pushed you away. That you’re the first woman I’ve ever actually loved.” At that last part, her eyes fly up to meet mine, and I see the shock in them.
“That I’ve been seeing someone. A therapist who helps combat veterans with things like I’ve been dealing with. And it’s been helping. A lot.” There’s a slight softening in her features at this and it gives me a glimmer of hope. Tentatively, I take a step closer to her.
“I love you so damn much it scares the hell out of me. You’re beautiful, smart, funny, and I love that you give as good as you get.” Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I continue. “And if you stay, I swear I’ll do everything in my power to make you fall back in love with me. To show you how much I love you. To show you that I can be worth—”
“Stop.” She’s shaking her head, tears trickling down her cheeks. And that’s the moment that I realize it’s too late. My entire face falls, my shoulders slumping in defeat.
Blaze of glory and heartache? Check.
Nodding, I drop my gaze. “I understand. I’ll, uh, leave you to your packing.”
Just as I begin to swivel around to leave, she speaks. “Stop.”
My eyes meet hers and I don’t give a shit if she notices they’re shiny. Because I’ve already lost everything. I don’t have a fucking heart anymore since she’s got it. So it doesn’t matter if she sees me on the verge of tears.
Taking a step toward me, maintaining eye contact, she continues advancing until coming to a stop before me. “Now, you should know better than to break out the kryptonite on me.”
“Kryptonite?” I’m confused as hell and can’t begin to decipher her expression right now.
Sliding a hand up around the back of my head, she gives me the first smile I’ve seen in far too long. “Yeah. My kryptonite. Your heart.” Her head tips to the side, her voice growing softer. “Your love.”
Relief barrels through me. “Is that so? That’s not how I recall that story going.”
Rising up on her tiptoes, her lips barely brush mine. “Then it’s a good thing I’m the brains behind this operation, Kav—”
She doesn’t get any further, my hands reaching out to cradle the sides of her face, my lips crashing down on hers in a kiss that’s passionate, deep, and wet.
And perfect.
After a moment, I break the kiss, easing away to look down at her. “So. You planning to admit that you love me, too?”
Her face drops, nose wrinkling with an expression of faux indecision. “Meh. Not too sure it’s love. Kind of feels more like indigestion.”
Tugging her closer—close enough to feel the heat of her body pressed against mine—I flash her a smug grin. “Come on, now. Is that any way to treat the man who loves you, No’?”
She squints. “Did you just shorten my name to an answer possibility?”
There’s no way in hell I can stifle my widening smile. God, I’ve missed this—missed her. “Yep. Got a problem with it?”
Letting out a long sigh, she shrugs. “I guess it could be worse.” The corners of her lips twitch in an attempt to restrain a smile.
“Hey,” I whisper softly. “I love you.”
“For real?” she whispers in return.
“For real.” The brightness of her smile does something to me and I don’t think there’s anything I wouldn’t do to ensure that smile stays in place.
A beat of silence passes. Then another. Until finally, my eyes narrow. “Are you planning on telling me something?”
“What?” she feigns confusion. “Oh! Yes, I’m starving.”
“Nice try.” She must see the smallest hint of worry in my expression because she reaches up to press a soft kiss to my lips.
“Hey, Kavanaugh. Have I told yet today how much I love you?”