Page 139 of Nothing to Fear

How bizarre to think that the most amazing, beautiful man was worried about not being good enough. He might look like a god and have the powers of one, but he was mortal and flawed. And she loved him. “Gideon, you already are worthy.”

“If you’re right, then one day, I hope you’ll consider marrying me.”

She tensed, but he pulled her flush against him. The heat from his powerful body comforted her, seeping into her skin, her bones. Deeper.

“You don’t have to promise me anything,” she said.

“Yes, I do.” He brushed his lips across hers and kissed her with such raw tenderness that her belly somersaulted. “I can be disagreeable sometimes and a bit of a control freak.”

She nodded. “I know. But we both have issues.”

Pressing his forehead to hers, he stared in her eyes. “I swear to give all of myself. Not hold back. I’ll never leave and never push you away again.”

The solemn words thundered through her, sealing something precious between them. She knew he meant it. They belonged to each other.

“I don’t do plants and pets,” he said, “but if you want kids down the road, I’d like a family with you. No rush. I think I might have daddy issues to work through first.”

Willow had never known if she’d ever have a real boyfriend, but she’d always wanted what her parents had. Love. Trust. Unconditional acceptance. A family.

“I love you, Gideon, but I’m a package deal with my dad.”

“Goes without saying. I’m already hatching a plan to smuggle in cheeseburgers and sneak him whiskey.”

She slapped his chest. “Don’t you dare.”

“How about we start with sorting out living arrangements? I can help you find a new place with your dad. Or you two could move into my townhouse. I can make it handicap accessible. Or we find something new together. Whatever you want. No pressure.”

She melted against him. This was happening. Gideon Stone loved her and wanted to build a life with her. Living with him was worth braving her father’s wrath.

“I want a fresh start. Let’s find a house for the three of us, something close to work.”

“Done.”

“I want you to let go of the past. And the Jeep.”

He pressed the alarm button on a remote key. A faint horn tooted. “Done.”

She chuckled. Wow, he’d been busy. “And I want you to learn how to dance.”

Sighing, he tightened his arms around her, squeezing. “You’re a tough negotiator. But anything you want that’s in my power to give is yours. Consider it done.”

“Who is going to square this away with my dad? He’s old-fashioned. He’ll give us a hard time about living together.” Her dad would go on a tirade. Every single day. Maybe twice a day.

“I’ll handle your father. As long as he’s not holding a baseball bat.” Gideon laughed. The husky sound lit up her heart, and she smiled.

He kissed her, squeezing her body to his, lifting her feet from the floor. Her lungs burned from the lack of air, heart pounding, skin on fire from the sweet heat of his touch.

Side by side, they’d survived the worst—stronger together than apart.

This love was worth everything, and neither one of them would ever let go.

Epilogue

McLean, Virginia

Three months later

Willow flipped pancakes on the griddle and spooned scrambled eggs from a pan into a serving bowl. Every time she strolled into the lavish gourmet kitchen, she was reminded of Gideon’s generosity and love. He’d found this house, venturing above their price range since nothing else they’d seen had been right for them.