As it was, when we’d finally gotten off enough clothes, when I was sure neither of us was going to back down, when he finally entered me, it was the happiest moment of my life. I let go of my safety, and I said, “I love you.”

And Tolliver said, “Always.”

Nine

“I wish you had some Kleenex,” I murmured. I was resting on his chest. Our clothes were somewhere under the covers with us, or at least most of them were.

“Just use my sweatshirt,” he said in a lazy voice, and I stifled a giggle.

I felt around us, maybe tickling him a little in the process, and located what felt like his sweatshirt. “I hope you weren’t teasing, because I’m going to use it,” I said.

“Go right ahead.” He kissed the top of my head.

So I dried myself off a little, and patted him, too.

“Hey, be careful, that’s my favorite body part,” he murmured.

“Mine, too,” I said, and he laughed. I felt his belly heave up and down. It was wonderful.

“I didn’t think we’d ever do it,” he said, sounding suddenly serious.

“Me, either. I thought I’d keep on watching you go off with waitresses.”

“Or that cop, the one in Sarne. He really scared me. To say nothing of Manfred.”

“Really?”

“Oh, yeah. I mean, the piercings and the tattoos, that’s a lot to put up with, but he’s so gone on you. And his grandmother won’t live forever. I had a feeling Manfred would say that when Xylda passed away he’d be free to escort you around, and you’d want me to have the normal life you’re always trying to shove on me, and you’d dump me and hire Manfred to be your manager, and I’d have to go find a job somewhere away from you.”

“That’s not going to happen, right?”

“Not if I have anything to say about it. And I do, right?”

“I believe I remember telling you how I felt about you.”

“I could stand to hear it again.”

“Uh-uh. You first.”

“I love you. I don’t love you like I should love a sister. I love you like a man loves a woman. I want to be inside you again, right now. I want to have sex with you over and over.”

I had to stop myself from squeaking, Really? I took a deep breath. “Why?” I said, which might have been worse.

“Because you’re beautiful and smart,” he said instantly. “Because you always try hard, no matter what you’re doing. Because you’re honest, and because I’ve wanted to see your boobs for years now, and damn it, it’s dark in here and I can’t.”