Page 138 of Nothing to Fear

“The pearl is from your mom’s necklace. I picked some up from the street and managed to hang on to three. I found the bird in this little jewelry shop, and the owner only had time to work one pearl into the body. Rush job after I explained I was trying to make amends and said money was no object. I thought it’d make you happy, not torture you.”

The gesture left her speechless. No one had ever done anything so considerate. Or romantic. She didn’t know what to say, what to do.

His eyes met hers, soft and warm. “I lied. In the parking lot, when you asked about us.”

Her mind swam, her heart trapped in the heavy swell of hating him and loving him.

He lowered to his knees, slowly, wincing, and clutched her hips.

“What happened to you? Everyone told me you were okay. Are you badly hurt?”

“That doesn’t matter. I get hurt and I heal. What’s important is that I’m sorry I hurt you. I was an idiot and blinded by my past failures. I was afraid that you wanted me and terrified I’d disappoint you. You may never forgive me, but you need to know. It was all real for me too.”

Disbelief slid through her, but it quickly gave way to relief. Profound relief that made her tingle.

“You and I are a perfect fit. I don’t want to lose you, Willow.”

It’d been real. She wasn’t wrong; she hadn’t misread him. Hadn’t misconstrued what they’d shared. But she was pissed.

“Stand up, Gideon. I never wanted you on your knees. I wanted you at my side. Why wait four days to make it right?”

She helped him up from the floor, wanting to hug him, but held back, waiting for an explanation.

“I needed to be sure.”

“Of your feelings?” They’d only been together a handful of days, yet she’d been sure of her heart.

He ran his hand over her hair. “I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with you, but I’ve been certain since the boat. I love you.”

For a moment, she forgot to breathe. “Say that again.”

“I love you, Willow Harper.” He caressed her cheek, and it was as though her heart sprouted wings and fluttered in her chest. “I needed to be sure that if you felt the same and I asked you to build a life with me, it would be the right thing.”

“How could it be wrong?” Build a life with him?

Dazed, she let the words sink in, petrified he might not mean what she thought.

“You know how hard and dangerous this job is. I didn’t want you wasting your life worrying about me out in the field, fretting, unable to sleep at night.”

Smiling, she pressed her hand to his smooth cheek and brought his lips to hers. “Loving you would never be a waste, no matter what happens. You think I’m fragile, but I’m not weak.”

“You’re strong and courageous. I just didn’t want to put you through that. You deserve a sweet man who does sweet things. Works nine to five. Leaves lovey-dovey notes in secret places for you to find. Plans surprises. Brings you flowers.”

“I’ll worry less knowing the details of your missions. I don’t work nine to five, and I’m sometimes on back-to-back assignments. Why hide notes? I’d rather you tell me to my face what you feel.” She held up the necklace. “This is a surprise. And for the record, I’m allergic.”

“To diamonds?”

“Flowers. Sneezing, watery eyes. Same with perfume.”

He cupped her jaw. “You’re missing the point.”

“No, you are. I don’t want a sweet man who does sweet things. I want a strong man who’s sweet on me. I deserve honesty and passion and the freedom to be myself, at ease with the right guy. With you.”

“You need to know upfront what you’re getting with me. I don’t have a good track record when it comes to making others happy.”

She grinned, suppressing a laugh at how the man could be so smart yet so clueless. “The point of loving someone isn’t to be made happy by it. The point is to be better because of it. It’s not your job to make me happy—that’s mine.” She’d learned a lot about love watching and listening to her parents. “And I’m happier with you than without you.”

“You make me want to be worthy of you.” His breath caressed her mouth.