Page 19

“Now, you listen to me, Clover. I’m no expert at this kind of stuff, but I do know that everyone has things about themselves they’d like to change.”

“Yeah? What would you change?”

Thankfully I’d just been thinking about this so my answer is easy. “I’d be more open with my emotions. Be able to tell the woman I love how important she is to me.”

“That’s a good goal. I’m sure Andreyah will be happy to hear that.”

“Andreyah? I don’t love that bitch. No, my darlin’ Clover. It’s you who I love.”

“Don’t say things you don’t mean.”

“I love you, Clover. I’m not sure how it happened so fast, only that my head, heart, and oh hell, probably my soul all agree. You are the love of my life. You’re mine. No one else. I’m patient. I’ll wait for you to love me back. And if that never happens…”

She’s biting her lip raw as she studies me. I can’t be any more honest. Heart pounding, I wait for whatever her response will be.

“Knight, you don’t have to wait for me.”

“Clover, give me a chance to prove to y⁠—”

Her hand covers my mouth. “You don’t have to prove anything, you don’t have to wait. Because I already love you.”

She gives a watery little laugh and moves her hand. “You should see your expression. You’re not going to get rid of me easily. This is one time I’m not going to fail. I’m going to love you until the end of time.”

Relief and joy wash over me. She’s mine. “And I am yours, loving you forever. Clover, may I… may I kiss you?”

That sweet pink blush fills her cheeks. “I was kinda hoping to do more than that.”

I lean back. “Clover?”

“I want to share your bed tonight.” Her half grin is the only warning I get before she launches herself into my arms, and I fall back onto the cold tile floor. “And I don’t mean to sleep.”

Cupping her face between my hands, I draw her down for a kiss that rapidly burns into blazing passion. With a soft whimper she pulls back. “Are you sure? I’m… damaged. I can’t promise I won’t freak out and feel the need to run. I won’t always believe I’m worth loving. But I do promise to try. To be the best version of me I can find. To make you happy.”

“I’m certainly not perfect either. I’ve been alone for long enough I’m sure I have bad habits that will drive you crazy. There’s always going to be something to work through in any relationship. As long as we both try and know that the other is doing their best, we’ll be fine. Now, can we get off this cold floor?”

She rolls off me and stands, holding out her hand for me. Once I’m standing, I sweep her into my arms.

“You can’t carry me. I’m too big.”

“Darlin’, you’re just right.” I stop her protests with a kiss and carefully move down the short hall and to the bed. Keeping her in my arms, I sit. “Um, there’s a couple things we should discuss first.”

Her brows draw together and she twines her fingers through the hair at the back of my head. “Okay?”

“I’ve been alone. I haven’t been with anyone since I left New York. I don’t have protection. We can work around that. There’s many other ways to love you. We’ll get some when we go to town for the festival.”

“When I signed up for the matching service, I started on birth control. I didn’t want that to be an issue for a potential match. So that part’s covered. And I know I don’t have any diseases or anything because…” She closes her eyes. “Because I’ve never been with anyone.”

This beautiful woman is a virgin? She’s offering herself to me? “Clover, open your eyes. Look at me.” When she does, I trace her cheek with the back of my fingers. “You’re a virgin?”

She rolls her eyes. “That’s usually what not being with anyone means. I don’t have an official V-card in my wallet or anything, but yes. I’m a virgin.” She straightens and leans back. “That doesn’t mean I’m innocent. Or that I don’t know how passion feels. Or what it feels like to come. I’m a modern woman. I can take care of my own needs.”

My chuckle brings back her sweet blush. “So noted.”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t want you to… to…”

“Darlin’, I’m going to make love to you, any way you want. Fuck, baby, I want you. Need to be in you. Love you.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Love me, Knight. Please.”