Free The Officer's Promise (Brothers in Blue Book 1) by K. Langston

had been put down in their place, surrounded by throw pillows. An LED lantern sat in the center along with a plate of sausage and cheese, crackers, a bucket of beer.
    A laugh bubbled from my mouth.
    “What—how did you?”
    He smiled mischievously. “While she can be a huge pain in my ass sometimes, she’s also my partner in crime.”
    We settled on the floor and Ryker opened us each a beer. “Well, I must admit, this is very romantic.”
    “Are you impressed?”
    “Very.”
    “Reminds me of the picnics we used to have in the tree house,” I said, reminiscing about our childhood.
    “Some of the best days of my life.”
    I nodded.
    “I think my favorite would have to be the day you gave me this,” I said, fingering the ring hanging from my neck.
    “I meant every word. Still do.”
    I love this, being here with him, how easy it is. How happy he’s made me over the last few weeks. It makes me sad to think about leaving, but I know it’s something I need to do.
    “What’s wrong?” Ryker asked.
    “I’ve been trying to figure out a way to tell you this, but…”
    “Tell me what?”
    “I talked to Hank about helping me find a place to live.”
    His jaw flexed and what can only be described as a low grunt of disapproval accompanied his reply, “I don’t want you to go.”
    My chest surged with warmth. “I know, but I need to do this, Ryker. I’m afraid if I don’t stand on my own, for once in my life, then I’ll always be that same girl. The girl who stayed.”
    He moved closer, one hand reaching out to cradle my face. “You can stand on your own and still lean on me.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “Please fucking lean on me.”
    I needed him more than I would ever admit. No. Not need.
    Want .
    I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anything. Which is why I need to do this. To find my independence and be the strong girl he remembered. The one I know is still in me.
    The one he fell in love with.
    “Look at me,” he ordered, his voice barely a whisper. “I understand you want a place of your own and I will support that, but I want to be with you. I feel like I just got you back. I can’t lose you again, MaryAnn.”
    His words start a fire in me, one that’s never been lit. A storm of passion rolling under my skin in rivers of burning need. How had I lived without him for so long? This man completed me in ways I would never understand.
    I still had a long road ahead of me, and I was determined to take each step alone, but I knew I could face anything with him.
    “You won’t lose me.”
    “Promise?”
    His lips were a thief, capturing the vow before it even had a chance to escape. Those boyish lips I remember had found the strength and confidence of a man. They were tender yet soft.
    There was so much hunger.
    Desire rumbled beneath my fingers, burning with the same intensity rushing through me. It owned every single part of me.
    Right down to my battered soul.
    Can I belong to myself and someone else?
    Because I want to belong to this man. This passionate, beautiful man who rescued me from the depths of hell. Picked me up and put me back on me feet.
    The rough pads of his thumb brushed the skin of my cheek, quietly commanding the kiss. A kiss that reminded me of what love truly was.
    This is a level beyond love. In its purest form. Basic and raw. Without any expectations, consequences, or obligations.
    Only unyielding truth.
    “I love you.”
    Those three words carried a weight so great, a deep breath of relief escaped with them.
    Another kiss, this one merciless with an underlying promise of so many things but mostly…
    “I love you, too.”
    It felt like floating.
    Flying.
    I couldn’t decide.
    My fingers fanned both sides of his face. The scruff sent a shiver through my body, pooling heat between my legs.
    “Been waiting a long fucking time to do that.”
    “What took you so long?” I asked between heated kisses.
    His tongue slipped deeper inside, licking at mine with fevered