But it hurts so bad.

I stand and gather my things with tears falling. I weep quietly on the outside, but inside I’m screaming in denial.

My hand touches the cool door knob. As I turn it, I hear his voice. “Where are you going?”

“Please don’t say it,” I request.

“Say what?”

I turn. “Don’t tell me it’s over.”

“Okay,” he replies. “What do you want me to say, Presley?”

“That you forgive me. That you want me to stay.”

Zach takes two long strides before he’s close enough to touch. I step back and he follows. My back presses against the door and he cages me in. Zach’s fingers glide down my cheek as he wipes away the remaining wetness. “I don’t think I could ever stop loving you. I don’t want to live without you again,” he confesses. “We’re stronger than we were all those years ago. So.” He kisses my nose. “Say you’ll keep fighting with me for a long time. Say you’ll meet me at the creek every night. Say that you’ll fall asleep in my arms and deal with my shit. Presley Benson, say you’ll stay.” He’s holding my eyes with so much emotion in his own as he says that words.

My hands grip his shirt, holding on for dear life. “I’ll stay with you forever.”

The anger and sadness in his eyes is replaced with love and hope. Every word I said is true. He’s my forever. His lips press down on mine and he lifts me in his arms. I hold on as he carries me through the house to his bedroom. Our tongues slowly move against each other as we pour the last two days into this kiss.

Emotions flood me as I realize that this doesn’t have to end. We’re not walking away this time. He lays me down on the bed, and I begin to cry. I feel a mix of joy and relief as we give into each other. There’s nothing holding me back. Every moment feels so right, even more so than before.

All my cards on the table, and he didn’t fold. He went all in.

“Why are you crying?” he asks, concerned.

My girly emotions are probably scaring him. “I’m happy.”

He smiles. “I am too.”

“You make me happy.”

His hand brushes my hair back. “I love you.” He kisses me again. “So much.”

My hand rests on his chest. “I don’t want to lose you again, Zach.”

He leans down so our noses touch. “I won’t ever let you run. If you do, I’ll follow you” His lips touch mine. “I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth.”

I slide my fingers up his chest, reveling in every muscle that tenses beneath my touch. “I think we should do some of that makin’ up we used to be so good at.”

Zach rubs his nose against mine, kisses the corner of my mouth, and then descends to my neck. He sucks on the spot right below my ear that always makes me squirm. He hums against it, and I groan.

I love that we still fit so well together. I love that he still can turn me on in seconds and knows what I like. It’s like dating on speed—we rushed past all the awkward stuff and just fit. It could’ve gone very differently, though. That much time apart, other people, and the fact that we have a past . . . it might have changed the game.

He slides my straps down, kissing me along the way. Everything inside of me burns for him. “I’m going to make up with you for a while, darlin’.” He looks at me with hooded eyes. The passion that simmers beneath ignites into an inferno.

I grip his chin in my hand, forcing him to look at me. “I’m counting on that. Now, kiss me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

And he does. His lips move with mine as we tear at each other’s clothes. I want his skin against mine. There’s love to be made here, and I plan to spend as long as I need to until we’re satisfied.

He rolls me under him before slithering down my body. “I need to taste you,” he says with his eyes locked on mine.

Zach is always intense when we’re together. He conveys everything with his eyes. There’s so much spoken between us with only one look, and he’ll adjust his movements based on what he sees. It’s so damn sexy to watch, and it’s beyond pleasurable to be on the receiving end.

He kisses my stomach and rests his hand there. I look down at him and run my fingers through his hair. “I hope, Zachary.”

“Hope what, darlin’?”

“I hope that one day we can fulfill the plans we made.” I rub the side of his face. “I want to have all the things we said, including a baby. I’m just not there yet.”

He’s not asking me to either. But I don’t want him to think it’s not a desire. Zach is an exceptional man. He’s stepped up with Cayden and Logan without hesitation. He’s the kind of man that will be the father figure my boys need, and hopefully to our own children.

He climbs back up and pulls me toward him so we’re both sitting face to face. We’re naked and completely bared to each other. “I never got married or had children. There wasn’t anyone else in this world I wanted to do that with. Except for you.” His thumb glides across my lips. “You’re going to marry me someday, and I’ll be anything Logan and Cayden need. A friend, a father, and a protector. I’ll love the three of you with everything I have. And I know you’re not ready yet, but know I was ready six months ago.”

I smile and shake my head. “You’re that sure, huh?”

He grins back while pushing me against the pillow. “I’m sure that I’m going to marry you, and then we’re going to make a very special family.”

I want to give him all of those things. “Maybe we should spend some time practicing?” I offer.

“Ahh,” he says as his fingers press against my core. “So you think I need to train?”

Zach makes circles and my eyes close. “You’re doing . . .” I start, but it feels too good to talk. “So good.”

He goes back down, only this time he doesn’t stop. His hands lift my legs as he licks and swirls his tongue against my clit. “Zach.” I moan.

He keeps going as my head tosses back and forth. Holy shit. I’m going to explode. He keeps going as I grip the sheets. I writhe and moan as he bites down, taking me over the crest. “Zach!” I yell as my orgasm rocks me. My breathing is heavy, and I swear my bones liquefy.

I look down at him and he winks. “Now what were you saying about practice?”

“I think you’re good,” I say breathlessly. “But I think I could use a go in the batter’s box.”

I push him on his back and toss my hair over my shoulder. I want to watch his face. I kiss my way down to his dick, using my tongue to circle the tip. “Pres,” he warns. I know what he likes, and it’s not when I toy with him. But it’s my favorite part. Watching him become so desperate that he is so close to losing it.

There’s something so erotic about him lying here with his hands behind his head as I pleasure him. Instead of my typical cat and mouse routine, I decide to surprise him. I open my mouth and take him deep.

“Fuck!” he yells and leans up. “Holy shit!”

I smile to myself as I bob my head. I take his length while paying extra attention to the tip. Each grunt and groan that falls from his lips spurs me on. I want to please him, show how much I love him through my body.