“And we made love,” I whisper, taking her hand in mine and lacing our fingers together.
“That, too.” Her eyes are bright as she looks at me. “I’m scared of losing you. I don’t just love you because you’re my best friend. I’m in love with you. The fear that you don’t feel the same way or I was another notch on your bedpost is crippling. I can’t imagine a life without you. I’m scared I’m going to wake up at home, and you’re nothing but a memory.”
“Oh, Edie.” My voice chokes in my throat. “Neither of those things will happen if you take a chance. The truth is that I’m in love with you, too. I always have been. I want everything with you. I compare every woman to you. None of them had my full heart because you own my heart, Edie. You’ve always owned my heart. Don’t be scared. I’ll never hurt you. The future – our future – will be amazing. I love you, too.”
I’ve spent all these years being her best friend, too scared to put my heart on the line. But no more. I kneel in front of Edie, my heart pounding as I look at the person I love most in the world. My soul is raw in a way I’ve never allowed it to be – and fuck it hurts to do this – but the alternative of letting Edie think I’m a bearded Casanova who would break her heart and abandon her? I have to make her realize I’m not that man.
“Let me love you… forever.”
I get up from my knees and hold out my hand to Edie. She puts her hand in mine, and we stand face to face. Gently, I put my hands on her jaw, then lower my head to hers.
My kiss is tender. Edie’s body starts to relax, and then she’s pressing her sexy body against mine as our kiss deepens. I groan with desire and relief.
“Get a room!”
We startle as a group of teenagers walk past us, laughing and making faux-gagging sounds.
“What do you say?” I kiss Edie’s neck, and her sigh is the most erotic thing I’ve ever heard. I shift my weight from foot to foot, my cock hard and vibrating with the need to be inside Edie again. “Will you give me your heart? I promise to love and protect it until my dying breath.”