Page 21 of Protected By the Loner

I groan. “I was trying to fix the problem I couldn’t face.”

“My dear Owen.” But she’s smiling. “Thank you. For not giving up on me, even when I thought you were giving up on us.”

“I wasn’t giving up on us. I was just being an idiot.” I pull her closer. “But I’m done with that now.”

“Good.” She yawns, nestling into my chest. “Because I’m not letting you go.”

“I don’t want you to.” I stroke her hair, feeling her breathing start to even out. “Vivian?”

“Mmm?”

“I’m falling in love with you.”

She goes still for a moment, then tilts her head up to meet my eyes.

“I love you, too.”