LORETTA

My eyes squeezed shut; Elion did not just say that.

He loved me.

The thought moved through my mind slowly, almost impossibly, as if my heart already understood it but my brain was struggling to catch up,

Elion Fitzpatrick was in love with me

“Yes.” His dark voice pulled me back to him. Slowly, I peeled my eyes open. “You heard me, Rea. You brought havoc into my life and tilted me off my balance, and somehow I have never been happier.” His calloused thumb brushed over my face, sending delicious shivers down my spine. “You make my life brighter, Rea.” His thumb trailed lower close to my lips....