Page 114 of Stolen Rebel

I sigh. “I hear you. Sometimes I do think I’m deserving of peace and self-forgiveness. Other times, I think I’m a bastard who isn’t worthy of you.”

She draws in a deep breath. “And that’s why therapy is a good idea. Because you are worthy of me, Liam. One day, hopefully in the not too distant future, you will believe that. And until you do, I’ll believe it for both of us.”

Fuck. My chest hurts. If I was a good man, I’d let her go, leave her to meet someone who has a normal job with a normal life. But I’m not a good man. “You’re too good for the likes of me. I will ruin you.”

Her lips brush mine. “God, I do hope so. Can we start with the ruining as soon as we get home?”

Despite the lingering pain of therapy, I laugh. “We might have to delay that. There’s somewhere else I want to take you first.”

Curiosity sparkles in her eyes. “Oh, yeah? Color me intrigued.”

I get her situated in the car and jump into the driver’s seat. Our destination is a thirty-minute car journey away, and the entire time, Rowan peppers me with questions. I answer none. A man like me is well trained in resisting torture, whether that’s at the pointy end of a blade, the barrel of a gun, or when their woman is dying to know what’s going on.

The second I turn into the airfield, Rowan lets out a squeal that almost punctures my ear drum.

“Oh, my God. We’re not? We are? What’s going on? What made you change your mind?”

I pull into a parking spot and kill the engine. “Which one of those questions shall I answer first?”

“All of them!”

I laugh, unhooking my seat belt and climbing out of the car. Rowan races after me, her cheeks pink with excitement.

“You’re really going to let me skydive?”

It’s something she’d always wanted to do, but I wouldn’t let her. Not because it’s a dangerous activity; it’s incredibly safe. More because the idea of her being strapped to someone that isn’t me wasn’t something I could tolerate then. And I still can’t tolerate it now.

“Yes.”

“But… but… you always said no.” She lightly punches me on the arm. “Because you’re a jealous arse.”

“I am jealous. Then, and now.” I hesitate, curious how she’ll take this. “Which is why I qualified as a tandem skydiving instructor.”

Her jaw drops. “What? When?”

“About a year ago.”

“But why?”

I grimace. “If I’m being honest, I did it as a sort of ‘fuck you.’ Knowing that it was something you’d always wanted to do and I wouldn’t let you, yet there I was out here doing jump after jump. Living the dream you’d had, and one I’d stopped you from pursuing.”

I look away the moment the words are out, shame and bitterness and, yes, a feeling of loss consuming me. “I’m not proud of it. Not now I know the truth.”

“Liam.” She touches my chin, turning me to face her. Once I do, she threads her arms around my neck and lays her cheek on my chest, right over my heart. “I love you.”

Something turns over in my stomach, slow and warm and comforting. “Let’s see if you still feel that way after the dive.”

“It’s guaranteed.” She squeals again, jumping up and down on the spot. “This is going to be epic.”

After I’ve checked our harnesses, I go over the instructions. Rowan listens intently, all trace of humor gone. Once we’re suited up, we dander over to the plane.

“Anything else you want to ask me?”

“No.”

“You can change your mind right up to the moment we jump.”

She shakes her head. “Not going to happen.”