Page 120 of Guarded Deputy
“You’re nothing like him,” I say confidently.
“How do you know? I could be. He was a great dad at one point.” His face hardens.
“Because I’ve seen your heart and it’s pure.” I hold the side of his face. “You’re an amazing man and human, and I don’t just say that because you’re my boyfriend.”
He sits up and tugs me to him until I land on his lap. His arms come around me, and I sigh, breathing him in. I can breathe easy for the first time in days.
“I’m still your boyfriend?” He asks against my neck.
“Yeah.” I cup his cheeks with my hands and stare into his eyes. “I don’t want to lose you, and I hated knowing something was wrong and you wouldn’t talk to me. Please trust me.”
“I do, but I didn’t want to disappoint you. Hearing from him again threw me off and every emotion I held in broke loose. If you saw that part of me, you’d leave.”
My brows furrow as I shake my head. “Why? I like you for who you are—the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly. All of these experiences and parts make you this wonderful person.”
“I don’t deserve you.”
“You do.” My thumbs stroke his cheeks.
“I love you.”
I freeze, looking into his eyes as I tear up.
“Really?”
“Yeah.” He chuckles. “Is that hard to believe?”
“We weren’t on great terms, and I was afraid.”
“Baby, we’re going to go through a lot more rough patches. It’s part of life, but I’ll always love you.”
My lips tremble as emotions overcome me in the best way possible.
“I love you, too.”
He takes my lips in his in a searing kiss full of promise and apology. I melt into him, enjoying having him in my arms again. Nate slows the kiss and smiles.
“Are you hungry? I didn’t get to have dinner with this mess.”
“Oh, my God!” I leap from the couch and run to the oven, taking out the dish I left in there to give it a few more minutes.
I look at the baked pasta and breathe out in relief when I see that only the corners are toasty. A win for smart ovens that turn off when the timer ends.
“Safe!” I call out.
Nate chuckles from the other side of the kitchen, looking at me.
“What’d you make?” he asks, eyeing my food.
“Baked pasta. Do you want some?”
“Yeah, Murphy.” One side of his lips lifts. “Thanks.”
“I’m glad you’re here and don’t want you to leave ever again. Maybe I’ll handcuff you to my bed.” My eyes widen with my bright idea.
“I wouldn’t mind.” Nate crosses his arms, arching an eyebrow.
“My hot deputy stripper.” My eyebrows waggle.