“Then maybe don’t mention any man from your past to me.”

His hand moved up into my hair, gently threading through the locks as if he hadn’t just told me he’d kill anyone who even so much as wanted to touch me.

“Your brother. I think I like him,” he said so adorably and matter-of-factly.

“He supports you. Us.” I circled my finger between us. “You being in my life. He said you’d protect us.”

He stopped stroking my hair. “He did?” His forehead tightened.

I confirmed with a small, “Yes,” and his expression relaxed. “Will your family like me?”

“Of course. No doubt in my mind.”

Hmm. Good. “How are you feeling, by the way?” I poked his hard chest. “Sober-y or still tipsy?”

He grunted in mock disapproval. “I don’t get tipsy.”

“Right, that does not sound manly at all, and you’re very much aaalllll man. But are you less-ish of whatever it was you were?”

“I’m less-ish,” he said with a nod, his eyes tight on my mouth, and I found myself reaching out to touch his lips.

I swiped the pad of my thumb along the seam of his mouth. “You know, your smile destroyed me, too. I mean that in a good way. Kind of, sort of. You did ruin all men for me.”

A boyish grin crossed his lips as I pulled my finger away. “You already know you ruined all women for me.”

“You mentioned that, but I enjoyed hearing it again.” My words were a little breathy, and I doubted it was from the alcohol. “I should be sorry about that. And I mean, I am, because it caused you pain, but⁠—”

“The pain was worth the wait.” He brushed his knuckles along my cheekbone. “It was worth every minute to not have married the wrong person so I can be in front of the right one now.”

His words nearly sobered me up, and I suppressed a fifth L from trying to break through. Liquid tears. “You’re this big, tough guy with an intimidating, steely exterior but with the softest insides. You know that, right?”

His brows pinched. “For you, I’ll be whoever you need me to be.” He pushed up to his feet and offered me his hand to stand.

I accepted his sweet gesture and managed to stand without banking hard to the right or left.

“Maybe change out of those jeans first so you’re comfortable while I get our food?” he suggested after he’d helped me to the bed as if we hadn’t just had a fairly romantic and sweet conversation while I’d been on a toilet seat. “What do you want to wear?” He set my suitcase at the edge of the bed and unzipped it.