Dear Rosie - Page 216

She nods. “It’s just that I never told you… how much I love you.”

I swallow.

Then I swallow again.

Rosie presses her hand more firmly over my heart. “I love you, Nathan. You’re… You’re everything I want. But you’re more than that. You’re everything I need.”

I slam my mouth to hers.

Salty tears flavor our kiss. I don’t know if they’re mine or hers, but it doesn’t matter. We’re one now.

One heart.

One soul.

One future.

My fingers tangle in her beautiful red hair, and I pull our mouths apart.

“You’re not leaving.”

She shakes her head. “I’m not leaving.”

I press our foreheads together. “I don’t just mean the state, Rosie. I mean my place. My home. You’re not leaving. I’m not spending another night of my life without you beside me. There’s no such thing as too fast. Not with you. Not for us. Tell me you understand.”

Her exhale dances across my lips. “I’m never leaving.”

“Good.” My mouth pulls up into a smile. “Now tell me you don’t have to check out anytime soon.”

Rosie bites her lip, and I use my thumb to pull it free.

I trace her lip. “Tell me.”

“I don’t have to check out.”

“Good,” I repeat, then roll her onto her back.

ONE HUNDRED FORTY-TWO

ROSIE

His clothing disappears.

Mine falls away next.

Our limbs tangle.

Our mouths open.

He moves between my thighs.

I spread for him.

And when he presses into me, he tells me he loves me.

When he covers me, he tells mehow muchhe loves me.

When he touches me…