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“The hell it is.”
“You’ve moved on. And that’s okay.”
“That’s not true at all.”
“The number of women you’ve dated over the past three years says otherwise.” She held up her hand to stop him from talking so she could say the rest before she fell into a heap of tears again. “I don’t expect you to forgive me for what I did to you.”
“It wasn’t your fault. Of course I forgive you.”
She found a soft smile and felt her heart lighten. “Thank you. I needed to hear you say that. I don’t like the way things have been between us these last few years. I hope now, we can see each other without all the pain making us want to avoid even a casual encounter.”
“Kenna, you’re not hearing me.”
“I’m sorry, and you forgive me. That’s all I want, Max.”
“I want more.”
She didn’t hide her disbelief that he really meant it. “Everything is a mess.”
“You’re here. I’m here. We can fix this.”
“I’m just happy you don’t hate me anymore. I’ll take that as a win after I’ve been filling up the loss column for a long time.” She gave Max a reminder about her reality. “I’ve been alone since I left you, and I’m still not used to it. Being here, seeing you the last few days, God, it’s been heaven and hell at the same time. My being here has put you and everyone here in danger. So maybe it’s best that you continue to stay away from me, because I don’t want to be the reason you get hurt again.”
“I can’t sleep for worrying that two feds and a cop sitting on the ranch and guarding you isn’t enough. Ihear you crying or screaming in your sleep and I want so badly to make it better for you. I want to wrap you up in my arms and protect you and love you the way I used to, but this damn thing has been standing in our way. And now it’s gone and all I want to do is this.” He didn’t give her time to think, just closed the distance, cupped her face, and kissed her.
All his need for her poured into her. The kiss was passion and desperation. The years fell away and she was right back in it with him. All the love and desire she’d ever had and had dammed up inside her heart poured out. She clung to him. He wrapped her up close in his arms and slowed the kiss without losing any of the intensity. In this moment, everything else disappeared. She glowed from the inside out with a warmth and light like the sun, but it was his love and hers.
It was perfect.
It was right.
It was everything she ever wanted and more.
Max ended the kiss, but kept her close and pressed his forehead to hers. His gaze locked with hers, and in his she saw exactly what she used to see. He wanted her. He loved her. And the relief in his eyes matched her own.
“We can’t get back the last three years, but we can let it go and be together again.”
Someone pounded on the door. “Kenna, something arrived for you,” the agent called out. “It could be from your brother.”
She did the hardest thing she’d ever done and put her hands on Max’s chest and gently pushed away fromhim. “I’m sorry. This is not the time. Not when I’m putting your life in danger just by being here.”
She sidestepped him and went to the door.
Max came up behind her. “I’m not giving up on us, Kenna. Not now. Never again.”
She really wanted to believe that they could start again.
But here she was, hiding out on the ranch because someone wanted her dead and her brother was a wanted criminal, putting her life at risk.
She didn’t know what the agent had for her, or what it would mean for her future. She didn’t know if the man after her would show up here to try to kill her.
All she knew was that she’d never believe anyone again who said something bad about Max Wilde. He was the love of her life and the best man she knew, and those two things would forever be true.
And she would do anything to keep him safe.
Chapter Sixteen
Kenna opened the door, her heart heavy and light at the same time.
