Lucy didn’t know why she was letting her emotions get the best of her, but ever since leaving his parents’ house, it felt like a stone was lodged in her belly, this ugly, heavy, life-sucking stone that was ruining everything. She told herself she wasn’t going to let what his family said upset her, but it was hard not to, especially when it was taking root deep in her body, stealing the happiness from her.

She felt like she was being overly sensitive, that she was picking on every little thing because her emotions were on a tightrope, her feelings still hurt. Lucy hated that she’d let his family get to her like this. Cleaning wasn’t something she especially liked to do, but it helped keep her mind off of things, allowing her to focus on something mundane.

Ian held her, his hand moving up and down her back, stroking her in a soothing manner. She was tense at first, but allowed herself to relax against him. “I’m sorry,” she finally said, closing her eyes and trying to calm her racing heart. “I’m not even upset about the magazine, not particularly.” And she wasn’t. She was just annoyed in general, and she was taking it out on him when it wasn’t his fault. He’d stuck by her side through all of this, stood up for her, and here she was trying to start a fight. Is that what I’m doing? It sure felt like it.

Ian pulled back and looked at her. He didn’t speak, but she felt his emotions as if they were her own.

“I’m sorry,” she said again. “I’m not upset with you. I guess I’m just letting everything consume me. I’m letting everything wear me down.” She pulled away from him and ran a hand over her face, exhaling loudly. “For so long this wall had been around me, guarding my emotions so I wouldn’t get hurt.” She looked him in the eyes. “I promised myself I wouldn’t let anybody treat me like shit, and I think the reason I’m letting your family get under my skin is because I care about you. I cared about what they thought.” Lucy was going to be honest. She wanted him to know exactly how she felt. They might not have been married that long, hardly even knew each other in the grand scheme of things, but she wanted to be truthful. But the words lodged in her mouth, her throat tightened, and fear took hold.

“Talk to me,” he said softly, and she could hear the genuine sincerity in his voice. Gone was the man she’d first married, the arrogant asshole that was just using her to get at his family. The man standing before her now was trying to be understanding, changing because of her. For her.

“I care about you, Ian.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’m falling for you. Hard and fast.”

For long seconds they didn’t speak, and she wondered if she’d read things wrong with him, thought he wanted more with her than she did. But the way he looked at her, touched her, spoke to her, told her he did want them to have a future.

“Those women in the magazine are nothing more than acquaintances, people I was seen at social events with. I didn’t do anything with them, didn’t have relationships with them. This is a dirty, underhanded move by my parents, and all the more reason for me to distance myself from them.”

“I…” she whispered. “I don’t know what else to say.” But before she could try and think of something else, salvage this, he had her back in his arms, his hand cradling the back of her head to his chest. And then he just held her.

“Before you I had you in my life I saw the world in one color, one dimension. I worked my ass off, didn’t connect with people, and didn’t form relationships. I didn’t care about anything or anyone aside from myself. I was a selfish bastard, and looking back, I hate myself for it.” He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “I don’t care if this is fast, cliché even. You’re so genuine, so real.” He smiled. “I want to be a better person because of you.”

Her breath caught.

“I want to make you happy, make sure you’re safe, protected. I want to make sure you’re happy being by my side, that you want this life with me.” He leaned in and kissed her softly. “And if that means getting rid of the negativity in my life, which would also mean my family, then so be it.” His words cut deep into her. “Because I can’t see a future without you in it, Lucy. I don’t want a future without you in it.”

She was the one to lean in and kiss him this time, and as the seconds passed and the heat intensified between them, she knew this was where she wanted to be. This was where she belonged. “Take me to bed. Make love to me.”

And he did just that.