Page 294 of The Grand Duel

He’s apologised over and over, and I know that I still trust him.

I still feel safe in his arms.

Maybe only in his arms.

“Lissie…”

I open my eyes and meet his stare, our foreheads braced.

His blue eyes shine as he whispers, “Baby, I want to come home.”

A spark of hope flares in my chest as I feed from his words. All I’ve wanted for the past few weeks is to have him come home. To walk in the front door and tell me he never should have left.

It feels like I’ve lived that dream a thousand times over throughout my life.

“Can I?” he rasps. “Please. Will you let me come home?”

I frown, swallowing back the emotion in my throat. “It’s your house, Charlie. You don’t have to ask me.”

“House?” he repeats, confused. “Baby, I’m not just talking about the cottage. In fact, the cottage isn’t what I’m talking about at all. I mean you. You’re my home. I just need you.”

I swallow, my eyes flicking between his, knowing the second I let him back in I’m setting a standard, a green light for him to do it again.

What if giving him a second chance is the right thing, though?

What if he’s as good of a man as I think he is?

“Lis, please?—”

“I said it’s your house,” I say, cutting him off and meaning my every word.

I am yours.

“If you want to come home, I’m yours to come home to.”

His stare remains fixed on me, eyes wide as if he never expected me to give in.

Like I’d never give my heart back to him.

Truth is, he’s had it this entire time.

“I—”

“Won’t be sleeping in the bed. It shouldn’t have taken you this long to come home,” I say in explanation. “You can sleep in one of the spare rooms.”

His chest caves, his arms tightening around me. “Fine. Yes, of course.”

“Charlie,” I whisper, trying to keep my voice from shaking.

His gaze settles on mine, and I can already see him trying to find a way. A way to make everything better. Perfect.

“If you ever leave me again, I will not forgive you for it. You will lose me.”

He shakes his head. “I won’t,” he promises. “I won’t, baby, I?—”

“If you ever lie to me again,” I continue, my lips trembling, “you’ll lose me.”

He swallows, his jaw going taut.