Chapter 62
62
Lorenzo
Victoria shifts in my arms. “What time is it p>
“Around two in the morning p>
“Seriously, and you’re still here p>
“Yep.” I glance down at her, letting my mouth twitch. “Did you really think I was going to leave you? I told you never again p>
Her cheeks flush in half indignation, half something that makes my blood heat. “You’re insane p>
“I’ve been called worse,” I respond.
She lets out a chuckle.
A small piece of hair falls across her face, and I reach out and tuck the strand behind her ear.
“I need pj’s,” she blurts out, which isn’t surprising, seeing as she’s still wearing her jeans.
I lift a brow. “You can sleep naked p>
“Not happening. But nice try p>
“Grab a shirt.” I nod toward my dresser. “Something comfortable p>
She slides off the bed, moving toward the dresser. She pulls open the top drawer, riffling through my black tees. Then she pauses. She pulls her hand out of the drawer. A small stone sits in her palm.
Her head turns slowly, eyes finding mine. “Why do you have rocks in your room?” Her brows furrow as she pulls the drawer open fully and looks inside.
Dozens of stones, all different sizes and shapes, are in the drawer.
“Are these from my parents’ beach?” she whispers.
I nod once. My throat suddenly too tight for words.
“Why have you been leaving me rocks? You did it years ago too p>
I drag a hand over my mouth, half laugh, half exhale. “You really want the answer p>
She stands slowly, stone still in her hand. “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t p>
I take the stone from her gently, rolling it between my fingers.
“Penguins,” I say.
She blinks. “I’m sorry p>
I huff out a quiet laugh. “When I was young, maybe six or seven, I watched one of those shows on TV. The ones about animals. We were moving around a lot back then… now I know why, but at the time, I was confused and sad, and well, I saw this one episode.” I stop for a second, and even years later, I can see it clearly in my mind. “This episode was about penguins. Penguins pick a rock. One rock. They search for it. They bring it to their mate.” My gaze lifts to hers. “It’s how they say ‘this is it p>
Her breath hitches in her chest.
“They keep doing it,” I continue, voice lower now. “Every year. Same mate. New rock. Even when it’s hard. Even when they lose each other for a while. At the time when I saw it, I knew I wanted that… and so, when I met you… “
Her eyes shine, and then tears fall.
She doesn’t wipe them. She just stands there. Listening. Crying. Seeing what was right in front of her the whole time. My undying love.
“I didn’t have words,” I admit. “Back then… and not when I found you again, so I left evidence p>
Her lips tremble with a smile.
“It’s always been you. Since the first moment I saw you. And collected my first rock, and then well, I did it when I didn’t know how to ask you to stay p>
Her gaze locks onto mine. “And now p>
I swallow. “Now I’m asking,” I say quietly. “Stay p>
She leans in, deliberate. Her mouth meets mine, gentle at first, but then my hands slide around her waist, and the kiss deepens.
“You’re terrifying,” she whispers, voice muffled against me.
I let my mouth curve, kissing her hair. “Yet p>
“Yet,” she echoes, and her arms tighten around me like she’s anchoring herself.
For the first time in a long time, the violence inside me is quiet.
“Do you ever regret meeting me p>
The question lands clean and deep, like she’s been carrying it for a decade.
I don’t hesitate.
“Not for a second p>
Her breath stutters.
“Even when it ruined me,” I confess. “Even when it nearly killed me. Even when I thought you chose someone else and left me bleeding in hell p>
Her eyes glisten, but she doesn’t look away.
“Because in the end, I got you p>
I reach for her, hand sliding into her hair. She leans into my touch immediately, and I press my forehead to hers, breathing her in.
“You always had me.” She laughs.
Her palm settles over my chest, feeling the beat.
I close my eyes.
Finally secure that she will never leave me again.