Until We Touch (Fool's Gold #15)

He crossed to her, then took both her hands in his. His dark eyes locked with hers.

“I’m sorry,” he told her. “Sorry for what I said and how I acted. Sorry for being selfish, immature and stupid. I hurt you. I lashed out and there’s no excuse for my behavior, so I won’t make one. What I will say instead is I was wrong. Completely and totally wrong. I hurt everyone I care about. Worst of all, I hurt you.”

He brought her hands to his chest and placed her palms flat on his shirt.

“My heart beats only because of you,” he said quietly. “I breathe for you. I exist because I love you, Larissa. You are who matters and I want to spend the rest of my life proving that to you.”

He seemed to melt away. It took her a second to realize she was crying. But happy tears, she thought, trying to take it all in. Joyful tears.

“I love you,” he repeated, then he pulled a small box out of his pants pocket. “I know it’s a lot to ask right now, but will you marry me? I want it all, but only with you. I want Percy down the hall and cats and chiweenies running around. Move in a couple of owls and snakes. Whatever makes you happy.”

“I wants kids,” she said, not sure where the words had come from.

“Yeah?” He grinned. “Good. Like twenty?”

She shook her head. “Three. Maybe four.”

“I can do that. I can do whatever you want. Larissa, it was always you. I’m sorry I didn’t see that for so long. I’m sorry I had to hurt you before I understood how lucky I am to have you in my life.”

She searched his face and what she saw there healed her broken heart. “You sure?”

“Yes. Until you I didn’t truly understand what love could be. I get it now.”

“Then you get me,” she said simply.