10. Kingsley #2
I nodded. “What if who I am naturally, triggers her? I naturally want to pull her in my arms and kiss her passionately. I naturally want to be playful with her, tickle her, and swing her around. I can’t relax, because I may do something to make her uncomfortable.”
When a tear slid down my cheek, I quickly swiped at it. Hearing those words come from my lips only made things clearer. I didn’t like what any of it meant.
“Maybe you should take some time—”
“I can’t do that. She needs me, Missus Gardener.
I need her. Have you ever loved someone so much that you were willing to hurt yourself to make sure they were protected?
Have you ever loved someone so much until you would do anything to make sure they were stable, happy, and safe?
I’ve been with Treasure for almost three years.
I haven’t had sex or gone out with anyone else.
I haven’t even given anyone an ounce of attention since she started paying attention to me.
I’ve loved her since I was eighteen. Nobody else matters . . . not even me.”
When I looked up at her, she was crying .
. . a lot. She grabbed my hand and held it between hers.
“Jesus. Kingsley, you’re so headstrong. What do you need me for?
Your love for Treasure has no bounds. You’ve grasped that concept beyond its meaning.
Treasure said you were perfect. I can truly see why she thinks that.
You’re a once in a lifetime love. She is blessed to have a man like you in her life.
I truly believe she will get better this time, simply because she doesn’t want everything you’re doing and sacrificing for her to be in vain. ”
I looked away for a moment and nodded. “I guess I just needed someone to vent to, who could make sense of things or help me make sense of it.”
She took a deep breath. “When I first met my ex-husband, the people I lived with got killed in a house fire. I had nowhere to go. He took me in, and he barely knew me. People were trying to kill me, and he literally put himself in danger trying to protect me. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for me, no matter how stubborn I was being.
I don’t believe it was on the same level that you and Treasure have gotten to, but to answer your question, he would have died for me back then. ”
She sighed and released my hand. “So, no. I’ve never loved someone that way, but I have surely felt that type of love.
It’s beautiful. I shouldn’t say this, but I will, because you need to hear it.
Treasure is fighting so hard to finally get this under control.
She’s doing so well in therapy. We talked for nearly two hours yesterday.
She’s going to win. You don’t have to worry about triggering her simply by living.
She loves you so much, and it took this to make her see what she was not only doing to herself but to everyone around her, especially you. ”
I sat back on the couch and wiped my face as Mrs. Gardener did the same.
She confirmed that I was indeed crazy over Treasure.
No matter how much anyone tried to talk me into giving her space or moving on, I knew that was something I couldn’t do.
I refused to even try. What I felt for her was for life.
Nothing and no one would keep me from being in her life . . . not even her.
I stood from the couch when I noticed we’d been sitting here for nearly an hour. I’d only booked a thirty-minute session. She stood as well.
“I apologize. I didn’t mean to make you emotional.”
She waved her hand. “I would have to be a cold-hearted fool not to get emotional hearing your words of love and devotion. You’re right.
She needs you. I want you to know that she knows it too.
The two of you are so intertwined, neither of you will survive without the other.
I’ve never seen anything like it. That was why it moved me to tears.
Your love for each other is beautiful, baby. Call me if you need me.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”
“Thank you. I needed this today.”
I frowned slightly, then gave her a one-armed hug.
I wasn’t sure what she meant by that, but I wasn’t about to try to find out either.
I needed to get to Treasure and also talk to my family.
There wasn’t much time left in the day. I’d gone fishing this morning for Aunt Jen and Aunt Chrissy’s catch of the day, then seasoned and marinated more alligator bites before going to check on the grass and rice farms.
After getting into my truck, I sent a text to Treasure. I’m on my way, baby.
She responded immediately. Don’t come just yet. I have to go to a class. I’ll text you when I’m done. They said it should take an hour.
I glanced at the clock to see what time it was, then decided to go back to Nome to talk to my dad and my brothers. I knew they would be out by the barn today because KJ was supposed to be practicing. Kane had told him that he would help out. I responded to Treasure.
Okay, baby. I’ll probably see you in 2 hours then. I’m gonna go talk to my dad and brothers for a little while.
I missed her and wanted to really be in her space, but I knew I couldn’t really do that until she got out of that facility. My phone buzzed as I cranked my engine.
Okay, King. I love you.
I love you more.