BROKEN HOPE (Broken Redemption Book 2)

Chapter 24

Emilia

I feel his eyes roaming over my face, even before the haze of sleep releases me. There's never been a day where I didn't love this man, but waking up in his arms after the breakthrough we shared yesterday, the word love doesn't do justice to what I feel.

"Hi," he whispers, sweeping a finger down the side of my face before leaning in and taking my lips in a slow, sensual kiss that ends much sooner than I'd like.

"Hi," I smile back, only looking away to track my finger as I trace over one of the smaller scars that line his chest. While to him these marks represent failure, to me, they are a symbol of survival, of his triumph and strength. Most of all, they are a depiction of his love for me.

"This feels different. Like we've turned a corner and come through on the other side." Mesmerized by the goosebumps breaking out under my touch, I only nod. "Look at me, sweetheart. There you are." He kisses the tip of my nose. "I meant what I said last night. In case I didn't make myself clear, I'm in, all the way in, Embree. When you said this is our second chance, you were right. It's time we put the past to bed and grab onto the life that was meant for us to share. You're my present, Emb." He kisses my lips softly. "My future." He kisses me again. "My everything."

"I love you." Overwhelmed and so incredibly happy, I reach for the locket around my neck, the one Daddy gave me before he passed. In his letters, he promised me this day would come, and after finding out that it was he who sent Uncle David to help Lucas, I've never felt my father's influence and presence in my life, more strongly than I do right now.

"And I love you."

"About last night. I'm sorry..."

"I thought we said we wouldn't apologize anymore," he interrupts.

"I know." I consider his words while searching for ones that will accurately convey the depth of my regret. "But the way things ended, I feel like it needs to be said."

"Nothing ended, Emb. If anything, last night was a beginning for us. There's no timetable here. As far as I'm concerned, now that we've chosen to be together, we have the rest of our lives to figure this stuff out."

"I know. I just... it feels like my past, my mistakes. It all keeps getting in the way."

"Stop, sweetheart," stroking a lock of hair off the side of my face he implores. "Aren't you the one who told me you didn't see a way forward for us as long as we continued holding on to the past? For you, I'm willing to do the work, Embree. Whatever it takes, I will do it for a chance at a life with you. But for this to work, you have to promise me the same. Whatever happened before last night is inconsequential. The only thing that matters is what we do going forward."

I can only nod, realizing for the first time that overcoming our past might be more challenging than I expected.

"Promise me," he playfully kisses down the crook of my neck, making it tickle.

"Okay, okay..." I chuckle, not trying very hard to escape his playful advances. "I promise."

"Yeah?" The way he tilts his head to the side makes me smile.

"Yeah, now kiss me, Mr. Holt, before that panty-melting smile of yours turns me into a puddle."

"Mmmm," he groans into my neck as he resumes his neck kisses. "The sound of you all wet for me is quite enticing." His lips continue their descent, slowly trailing down to my chest, his tongue laving the way in a feathering touch that leaves me shivering in anticipation. "No kisses for you. Not yet." When he reaches for the hem of my sleep shirt and pulls it up, exposing my bare breasts to the cool air, I close my eyes and swallow back a moan.