Page 87 of Criminally Yours

He sat close and turned to her. His lips were full and his gaze hesitant. “I’d go anywhere with you if you’d let me.”

“What’s changed?”

“Telling you about the past and learning you don’t hate me anymore and imagining a world where we could be together but I push you into the arms of someone else. I want you to be happy, and I think I could make you happy. I’m yours, if you’ll have me.”

Her mouth dried. “Are you sure? I’m not the wide-eyed teenager I was. I have baggage and secrets and a broken heart that will take time to heal.”

He cupped her cheek. She leaned in and closed her eyes.

“Open your eyes, Sunset. I need you to see I’m telling the truth as I say this. I need your counsellor skills honed in.”

She opened her eyes. “I’m not a witch. I can’t decipher if you’re telling the truth by looking at you.”

He rolled his lips into his mouth. “Then I’ll spend the rest of my life convincing you I’m not going anywhere. You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted. I’ll fix your brokenheart and not just because I broke it.” His blue eyes were heavy with pain and promise as he held her stare.

She ran her fingers along his hair, teasing his rough cut. She wanted to touch all of him, but her trembling fingers highlighted her fears.

He pressed a kiss to her temple.

“I have shoulders broad enough to carry your heaviest baggage and a heart that’s been closed for so long, waiting for you and this moment.” He held her palm to his lips. “I’m ready for your secrets whenever you’re willing to share them. I haven’t just got you; I’ve got the past, present, and future you.”

Millie shivered. It was like hope was teasing her, telling her she could have him. But there was too much baggage.

“You don’t need to say anything. For now, we can try to rebuild our friendship.” He said all the right things. It couldn’t just be words. “But first, give me whatever you’re hiding in that bakery box and tell me what your family said. I need sugar for this.”

She ripped open the box and handed him a cupcake. He slowly licked the top of the frosting with the tip of his tongue. Her face burnt hotter than the sun above them as she stared at him.

He side-eyed her and grinned. “I hope you’re not having dirty ideas about me.”

She swallowed as he licked again.

His smile was wicked. “And I thought you were such a good girl,” he growled, teasing the buttercream off while staring at her.

“And I thought you were a robot bodyguard,” she quipped breathlessly.

“I guess you have a lot to learn about me.” His eyes twinkled like the sun hitting the sea. “It’s going to be fun sharing that side of me with you.”

She cleared her throat several times, but it was strained with desire.

“Now eat your cake and tell me about your family.”

“Okay, soldier, but this conversation about hidden sides isn’t finished.”

She updated him about her family, and he nodded along. Sharing the discussions helped her process in ways that chatting with her mum never had. When she finished, he held her close.

The past was over, but the future hung in the air before them.

“So what now?” he asked.

“We return to our holiday home for safety. Life must pause until this thing with Hugo is over. But can we take a photo of us for Rylee? I won’t send it to anyone else or post it anywhere.”

“Sure.”

She pulled her phone from her pocket and took a photo, sending it to Rylee quickly.

“My turn,” he replied. Before she questioned him, he grabbed his phone and held it. “Smile for the camera, beautiful.”

He dropped a kiss to her cheek. Her belly butterflies fluttered like they were playing kiss chase.