Chapter 24
twenty-four
CALLAN
Bree’s curled up against me on the couch, her head tucked under my chin where she belongs.
She’s out like a light, breathing slow and even.
My arm’s completely numb under her, and I swear my neck’s going to start a protest any second now, but I don’t dare move.
I’m not even thinking about it. No way I’m disturbing this.
Her fingers are tangled in my shirt, like she’s trying to anchor herself to me.
It’s cute, even if it is painful. My arm’s about to fall off, and my neck feels like I’ve been holding it at an awkward angle for the last hour because, oh wait, I have.
I couldn’t care less, though. I’d stay like this for days if it meant she’d stay here with me, looking all peaceful and… well, sleepier than I’ve ever seen her.
When I walked in earlier and caught the way her shoulders sagged and the dark circles under her eyes, it hit me hard. Her light had dimmed, and I wanted to punch something. But even with her exhaustion taking over, she’s still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
My thoughts keep pulling me back to that conversation, to the way her voice cracked when she let those fears slip out.
It cuts deeper than I want to admit, the fact that she’s been fighting this battle alone while I’ve been a world away.
The space between us feels like an endless stretch of desert, wide and impossible to cross, and I don’t have a damn clue how to fix it.
I meant it when I said she’s everything to me. I’d burn down every barrier, climb over every wall, do whatever the hell it takes to make this right. She deserves that, and I’m gonna make sure she knows it.
A strand of her hair falls across her face, and I can’t help myself. I gently brush it away, being as careful as I can not to wake her. She stirs a little, nuzzles closer, and damn if that doesn’t hit me right in the chest.
“I love you,” I whisper, even though I know she can’t hear me. “I’m going to fix this. I promise.”
She lets out a contented sigh, and her fingers tighten around my shirt, making my heart squeeze in discomfort.
I’ve never felt this way about anyone. It’s not just the fact that she’s beautiful or funny or that she drives me wild in ways I never thought possible.
It’s more than that. I’ve never imagined myself feeling like this for anyone.
Hell, I always thought I was the type of guy who’d be fine with casual.
I even convinced myself that the whole “one person forever” thing was a bit of a fairy tale. I was so wrong.
I need to figure out how to make this work. I could visit more, but I’d have to have a word with Knox about that. Maybe I could find work here in the States, but that would mean stepping away from the family business. Not exactly an easy choice.
As I’m tangled up in my thoughts, she shifts against me and her eyes flutter open. She blinks a couple of times before focusing on my face, and the soft, sleepy look in her eyes makes everything inside me settle.
A slow, lazy smile spreads across her lips, and I realize I’ve been staring at her like an idiot. And for some reason, that makes me feel like the luckiest idiot alive.
“Hey,” she murmurs. “How long was I out?”
I press a kiss to her forehead, letting my lips linger for just a moment longer than usual. “A couple hours. How are you feeling?”
She blinks up at me. “Better.”
Before I can respond, her stomach growls loudly, and I can’t help but quirk a brow at her. “Let’s get you fed. You’re going to need your strength for what I have planned for you.”
Her cheeks flush that perfect shade of pink, but there’s a spark in her eyes as her grin turns downright troublesome. “Oh, really? And what exactly do you have planned, Mr. MacKenzie?”
I stand, pulling her up with me, our bodies brushing as I keep her close. “First, dinner. Then…” I lower my voice, trailing slow kisses down the curve of her neck, savoring the way she shudders against me. “I’m going to show you just how much I’ve missed you. Every. Single. Inch.”
She lets out a gasp, and it’s all I can do not to carry her off right then and there. “Well, when you put it that way…”
I chuckle, forcing myself to take a step back. “Food first, love. Can’t have you passing out on me later.”
Her smirk widens as she leans in, her fingers trailing down my chest and leaving a line of heat in their wake. Her lips brush my ear, and her voice drops to a teasing whisper. “You’re right. Can’t get too distracted.”
Distracted? I’m one kiss away from losing all sense of reason. This woman. She’ll be the death of me, and I’ll go willingly, smiling the whole way. I’ll even throw in a “thank you” as I trip into oblivion.