Page 54 of Stay Little Fighter

His body tightens for a beat that seems to last a lifetime. Anxiety tugs at the edges of my mind. Did I say it too soon? I thought after everything we’ve been through that time wouldn’t matter as much. Hell, he’s made it his mission to build me the life I’ve always wanted, including all four of the men that I can’t help but need.

“You love me?” he asks slowly, as if the idea is the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard.

I tilt my head up until I’m staring into golden eyes that have become my safe place. “Yeah, Ryker. I love you.” I smile softly.

His lips part but quickly snap shut again when he can’t find the words he’s looking for. “You love me?” he asks again.

I huff out a laugh and rearrange myself so I’m straddling his lap, which isn’t an easy feat with how tight he’s holding me against his chest.

Prying one of my arms free, I rest it against his cheek. “I love you, Ryker. How could I not when you make me feel like I’m the most important thing in your universe, when you constantly show up for me in any way I need you, and you made it your personal mission to give me all the pieces of my heart?”

He leans into my palm, but his eyes never tear from mine, as if he’s searching for doubt. But he won’t find any.

“You don’t have to say it back. I know it’s a little soon, but I wanted you to know how I felt. I guess the whole almost dying thing has made me hesitant to waste any time on the things that matter.”

He shakes his head slowly, a soft smile tipping up the corners of his lips. “I’ve known I was in love with you from the very beginning, Chloe. Since before I knew I could have you, since the first time I locked eyes with you and saw everything you try to hide from the world. It took me a while to work out what the emotion was, but once I realized it was love, I knew I’d never be able to let you go.” He leans forward, pressing his forehead to mine, and for a moment the rest of the world ceases to exist. The waves crashing on the sand fade away, the cool air against my back where the blanket has slipped disappears, and all that’s left is the man that has never made me doubt his feelings for me. “I love you so fucking much it makes me crazy. I love you so much I don’t think there’s a single line I wouldn’t cross for you. I love you so damn much I’m terrified of ever having to live in a world you’re not a part of.”

His words fill my chest with warmth, and I don’t hesitate as I press my lips to his, reveling in the warmth of them. Every part of Ryker is hard, but as he kisses me with so much reverence I can barely believe it’s him beneath me, I realize everything is going to be okay.

Because surely the universe wouldn’t give me everything I’ve ever wanted, just to tear it out from under me…right?

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

RYKER

NOW

She loves me.

Chloe loves me.

Her words have played on repeat all day, and my heart can barely handle all the emotions running through it.

Going from not giving a fuck about anyone to loving someone with every single fiber of my being is certainly a learning curve, but one I’m embracing.

It’s the first day since we arrived at the beach house that it’s rained, disrupting my girl’s normal routine of reading on the deck all day.

Instead, she’s on the couch in the living room, her head resting in Ronan’s lap as she reads some smutty book she doesn’t think any of us know about.

Little does she know I’ve been reading along with her every chance I get.

I want to know exactly what makes our girl hot and bothered, and by the way she’s been squirming the last fifteen minutes, it seems like she’s enjoying the scene she’s reading.

The female main character finds herself being shared by three of her guys while the other is watching on, calling the shots as he pumps his cock.

I have to admit, it’s hot as fuck, and if this is what our girl wants, it’s what she’s going to get.

Kingston flew his personal doctor in to check on Chloe, and she quickly cleared her for general activities, including sex, which I made sure to ask about, much to my girl’s dismay. She was so embarrassed her cheeks turned the most delectable shade of pink.

Ronan’s reading something on the laptop he has resting on the arm of the couch, completely oblivious to how turned on the woman in his lap is.

His brother finally fell asleep on the couch across from them after days of watching her like a hawk. I can barely stand to be in the same room as the man, and even I was getting worried.

I’ll let Chloe keep reading her book for now. I need to find Kingston and talk him through a theory anyway.

It doesn’t take long to locate him because none of us ever stray far from our girl at the moment. He’s set up a makeshift office in the nook beside the kitchen, where he has a view of the living room when he leans back.

“Hey,” he greets me, glancing up from the laptop set up in front of him. He has a pile of paperwork to his left and a notebook filled with scribbles on the right. “How is she?”