I haven’t felt like this in so long. It’s like the ground itself is made of air, boosting my every step. The air is fresher, the sky is brighter, and life is just…better. That’s what it’s like to be around my Layla.
She can deny her feelings for me all she wants, but I know her better than she does. I can read her body like an open book, and every hitch of her breath and heated glance only spurs me on. It’s a matter of time before she stops pushing me away, and I am willing to wait as long as it takes to make her mine again.
This last week I’ve spent time with Jasper, letting myself delve into childish behaviors as I get to know him. I laugh and enjoy my time with them as a family, and when I get Layla alone, I push her buttons. I know that she has a defiant streak and she likes to tease me, but I also know just how to ignite a different kind of fire within her.
And I’ve been riding a fine line of how far to push her since I arrived.
I probably should be more focused on my duties here on the island. Most Lieutenants wouldn’t still be here, but the longer it takes me to fulfill my tasks, the more time I have with Layla and Jasper, which is where all my attention has been anyway.
Especially on Layla. She’s been trying to keep me at arm’s length, but I’ve been chipping away at it day by day. I am no longer worried if she will accept me like I was back at Camp Horizon. I used to fear that she didn’t want me.
Now, I see that those worries cost me too much, and I’ve been putting myself on the line every chance I get. I touch her as much as she will allow, I tell her how beautiful she is and how much I missed her as frequently as I can a day without aggravating her.
And I absolutely do not let fear keep me from my girl.
Gone is the timidness I once felt when it came to asking Layla to be mine. I’ve grown more confident in myself and with every reaction of hers, I grow more confident in us. She is mine, already, I just need her to say the words so we can make it official.
And I think that tonight might be the tipping point. With her friend Harper’s help, I’ve arranged a surprise that I think is going to break through the rest of Layla’s walls. I know she’s always been guarded and tried to protect herself, but I want her to see that I am not the one who she should be wary of. I should be defending those walls for her.
I’m practically skipping as I make my way through the village, a massive smile on my face. People stare at me like I’ve gone mad, but I don’t care. Tonight is the night. I can feel it in my bones.
Just as the sun kisses the shore, I arrive at Layla’s front door. I knock, and the door is flung open to reveal little Jasper.
“Play!” he shouts, and I chuckle.
Before I have to let him down, though, a small girl appears behind him. “Play at my house,” she insists, grabbing his arm.
Jasper’s lips purse as he looks between the two of us, and thankfully, Harper appears, too. “That’s right,” she tells Jasper. “You’re going to stay with me and Adelaide tonight, remember?”
He looks to me again, and I drop down in a squat and muss his hair. “Play tomorrow?”
To sweeten the deal, Harper adds, “I have chocolate cake at my house, Jas.”
“And a new toy!” Adelaide squeals.
“What do you say?” I ask him. “Play tomorrow?”
With a big goofy grin, he nods, and Harper steps outside with the kids. “She’s all ready,” she whispers. “Good luck.”
I chuckle, murmuring a thank you as she takes off with the two little ones. I step inside, and stop dead in my tracks.
Layla is coming into the living room, and she looks stunning. Her clothes hug her beautiful curves, her hair falls in dramatic curls, and her perfect features are expertly highlighted. My heart is close to beating out of my chest.
“Holy Maws, Layla.” I drag a hand down my face, pressing my balled fist to my lips and biting into my knuckles. I don’t know how to contain myself as I take her in.
“Is it…” She looks down at herself. “Too much?”
I shake my head, holding out a hand to her and hoping she doesn’t see the effect she’s having on me. “You look perfect.”
She takes my hand surprisingly and lets me spin her around. I let out a breathy chuckle as she comes back to face me, her face aflame. “You’re too much.”
“I’m not enough for you,” I breathe. “But I will try every day to be.” Her jaw slackens and before she can eclipse her emotions with an insult, I tug her hand. “Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” she asks as I lead her down the street and toward the beach. “Harper wouldn’t tell me a thing.”
I grin. “Your friend has been a gem. I don’t know how I would have pulled this off otherwise.”
“And this is…”
“You’ll see.” I wink at her as she groans.
Her eyes light up as we cross to the edge of the island and make way for a secret cove I selected. “It’s rare I come out here outside of work.”
“You’ve always loved the water, though,” I murmur.
“I know. But there just isn’t time.”
As we reach the mouth of the cove, I turn to her and tuck a loose lock behind her ear. “I want to make more time for the things you want, Layla. I want you to be happy.”
Even as she leans away from my touch, though it seems reluctant, she whispers, “I am.”
Then she turns toward the cove to see the candlelit dinner I’ve laid out and her eyes widen. I tug her further in, gesturing for her to sit so she can see fruits and deserted and roasted meats I’ve selected for her. All her favorites.
“You did this for me?”
I nod. “I did. And tomorrow, we will take the leftovers on a picnic with Jasper. I might have gotten him a few new toy carriages…that are magically enchanted.”
She slaps my shoulder. “You spoil him.” Then quieter she adds, “You spoil both of us.”
I hold her hand to my chest, her eyes dancing in the candlelight as I gaze deeply into them. “I want to spoil you both for the rest of my life. If you’ll let me.”
When she sucks in a breath, I shake my head, letting her hand go. “I’ve never been happier, Layla. Never in my life have I felt like I have this past week with the two of you. I know you want to do the best for Jasper and you need time to sort through this. I’m not pressuring you, but I want my intentions to be clear to you.”
I drop my eyes so she doesn’t feel like she has to counter what I’ve said. I want nothing but to ease her mind, but I know that I can’t force her into anything. I have to let Layla process this at her speed, and I’m willing to let her have that.
But she has to know that I won’t be giving up on her no matter how long that takes.
“Thank you,” she says softly, and I slowly lift my eyes back to her. “I…I never explained why I left.”
I shake my head. “No, you don’t have to. I wasn’t trying to pry–”
She holds her hand up to stop me. “I want you to know.” Sucking in a deep breath, Layla continues, “When I first found out I was pregnant, I wasn’t sure how’d you react. I wasn’t sure of how you truly felt for me, if I was to pass the time or something more, and either way I understood. But you were always talking about where you wanted to go, and I worried that my pregnancy would upset you and jeopardize your future. So, I left to alleviate that decision…and protect myself from heartbreak.”
I move closer, pain hitting me hard through my chest. I’ve been in love with Layla for so long, and I know that I was hesitant to let her see that. I protected her from the shadows out of fear that it would draw attention to her – and that she wouldn’t be able to love me back. But to hear that my fear was the reason she left…
“I know that was my fault,” I confess. “I never was honest with you about how I felt. I wasn’t brave enough to face my true feelings back then.” I lean forward, taking a risk as I cup her face. “But you have to know, now at least, that Jasper would have never been a problem. I love him so much, and I would have loved him in Camp Horizon all the same.”
Layla surveys me under her thick lashes, and it feels like my words are stuck in my throat. But right now is the time for me to finally put it all out there.
“I made many mistakes in my life, Layla, but you and Jasper are not one. I never once, not in Camp Horizon and not now, regretted being with you. I am so happy to have found you, and even more so to have Jasper in my life.” I stroke her cheekbone. “You are both the greatest thing to ever happen to me, and that is no accident. It is a blessing from the gods.”
Her eyes are hooded, and the air between us is charged. This is the most she has opened up to me since I returned, and the emotions are running high. Even though I fear I’m crossing a line, I take a chance and lean in.
And instead of pulling away from me, Layla closes her eyes and her lips meet mine.
And finally, my world feels complete.
