“No, Elizabeth. I don’t. I have no fucking idea.” My words are dripping with irony. I can tell by her ragged breath and the longing in her eyes that she still feels something for me. But she’s too scared to say it. After what I put her through, I can’t blame her. I’m desperate to hear her say the words. “Why? Why would you help me?”

“You know why, you smug bastard. You know exactly how I feel about you.” Her short, choppy breaths surge through her flaring nostrils. I know her heart rate is pegged and her adrenaline is off the charts, same as mine. She’s beyond pissed now, flailing her arms and pacing. I don’t care. I love this fierce woman, so I keep pushing her.

“Why don’t you give up on me already?”

“Oh, why didn’t I think of that!” She knocks herself in the head with her palm. Her anger doesn’t seem to affect her sarcasm. “Thanks for the suggestion. Do you think I could even if I wanted to? I can’t choose to stop loving you any more than I chose to start.”

She doesn’t realize she’s said it. She’s too busy yelling at me to catch it, but I do. Her accidental admission of love sears my chest, etching itself into my soul. She’s mine. She loves me. After everything, she still actually loves me. She’s pissed as fuck, but she loves me. I want to hold her, whisper in her ear how much I love her too, but Ms. Fiesty’s determined to keep her distance.

“Happy now? Does that make you feel better? Don’t worry, I’m not going to go all Fatal Attraction on you if that’s why you’re here. I know you couldn’t care less about me.” She stalks over to the front door that I never bothered closing and asks in mock civility, “Now, can you please get the hell out of my apartment and never come back?”

Her chocolate eyes lock on mine, fury making them sparkle. Even in her baggy pajama pants and ratty sweatshirt, she’s never looked more beautiful to me. My Goose. My weird little goddess.

“Not a fucking chance.” I close the space between us in three quick steps and have her in my arms before she can run away. I crash my lips on hers, pouring out all the years of doubt and hurt. Letting go of all the pain so I can grab on to her love with both hands and never let go.