Page 138 of Nothing But Air

“You could have died.” The words came out quiet. “The rope could have pulled you off. You could have?—”

“But I didn’t.” His voice was steady. “The rock held. I held. We made it.”

“Being reckless again.”

“Absolutely.” His thumb brushed across her lip where a smile threatened. “And I’m not sorry.”

“Of course you’re not.”

“I said it before. I will never apologize for being reckless when it comes to keeping you safe.”

“That’s either very romantic or very foolish.”

“Can’t it be both?”

“Apparently.” She couldn’t hold back the smile anymore. Then the reality of the situation hit her again. “I still can’t believe I trusted Kyle. All this time?—”

“Forget Kyle.” His voice was fierce now. Protective. “Kyle’s choices are not on you. I said it down there. And I will say it over and over until you believe it. I love you, Eden. That’s not conditional on you being perfect or never making mistakes. That’s just—” He took a breath. “That’s the truth.”

The words hung in the air between them.

“You really love me?”

“I do.”

“Even though I invited a murderer on the expedition and spent three days calling you reckless?”

“To be fair, you were right about the reckless part.”

“I was.” A small laugh escaped her. “I really was.”

“And I’ve messed up, and I can’t promise I’ll never mess up again.” His green eyes held hers. Vulnerable in a way she’d never seen. “But I hope someday, maybe…”

“I love you too.”

The confession was like stepping off a cliff. Like trusting the rope one more time. Like pushing off from solid ground into nothing but air.

“But I’m terrified. Of losing you.” She swallowed. “Of watching you do something heroic and stupid and not come back.”

“I can’t promise I’ll be perfect.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “But I will be there for you. And I’ll never leave you behind again. And if I have to for some reason, I’ll always come back.” His voice dropped. Quiet. Certain. “You can count on that.”

He kissed her then.

His lips found hers with a gentleness that belied everything they’d just been through. This kiss was different from the others. It wasn’t just about now. It was a promise of a future together. Of a life together. Of never leaving her behind.

His hand cupped the back of her head as he deepened the kiss. Eden’s good hand fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer despite her injured wrist pressed between them. She could taste rain on his lips. Could feel the scrape of his stubble against her skin. Could sense the restraint vibrating his hands.

When they finally pulled apart—both breathing hard—she rested her head against his shoulder.

“Well.” Her voice came out shaky. “That was?—”

“Worth almost dying for?”

“I was going to say ‘nice,’ but sure. Let’s go with the dramatic option.”

“Nice?” He pulled back, mock-offended. “I just poured my heart out, and you’re giving me ‘nice’?”

“Very nice?”