half-naked girl. Now . . . Now she was starting to feel a little crazy around the edges. “If you can drag yourself away from the sight of that stripper’s butt, I’d like to have a few words with you. Outside?”
“Sure.” He started through the small crowd of men and she slipped her hand into his. He looked back into her eyes and gave her hand a little squeeze that she felt in her heart. They moved down a short hall out the back door. A wooden deck had been built on the back of the bar, but this time of year it was empty.
Lily stopped next to a table turned on its side. She took a deep breath, past the big lump in her throat. Overhead light shined down on them, but his face gave nothing away.
She had to jump in now. All the way. “I love you, Tucker. I love you and I want to be with you.” She swallowed hard and lowered her gaze to the dip in his throat. “You were honest with me and told me about your past and who you are, but I haven’t told you about me.” She shook her head and got the rest out in a rush of words. “Everyone thinks I’m crazy. I admit I’ve done a few crazy things in my past. Things that it took me a long time to live down, and I’m afraid once you know, you’ll leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” He put a finger beneath her chin and raised her gaze to his. “I know who you are, Lily. I know all about you. I know you were one tick away from being 5150’d for driving your car into your ex’s house. I know that you were knocked flat by him, but you pulled yourself up and made a success of yourself. You should be proud of yourself for that.
“I know that you love your son and the first time I saw you with Pippen, I saw
She blinked. “You know people call me crazy? Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because it’s not true. You’re passionate and you love with your heart and soul, and I want that.”
“What if it is true? I worked really hard not to be crazy, but I admit I’m feeling a little crazy right now. I got a speeding ticket tonight because I thought you were hiding behind the Welcome to Lovett sign.”
“Whoa.” He whipped he head back and forth. “What—”
“You’ve been ignoring me and I wanted to get your attention. So I raced up and down the highway.” She pulled the ticket out of her pocket. “But it was Neal.”
He tipped his head back and laughed. Long and loud, and then he gathered her against his chest. “You acted that crazy to get my attention?”
“Not
“That’s funny.”
“Not really. Now Neal thinks I’m crazy again and he’ll probably tell the guys you work with.”
“I’m a big boy. I can handle anything as long as I have you.”
“You do, Tucker, but it’s not just me.”
“I know, and I know I’m not Pippen’s daddy. I can never be his daddy. Hell, I don’t know how to be a dad, but I know that I’ll never treat him mean or ignore him or leave him out. I’ll never let him think he doesn’t matter or disappoint him.” If it was possible, her heart swelled more and she squeezed her arms around him. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “I’d do anything for you, Lily, but I can’t change my age.”
“I know.” She rose onto her toes and kissed the side of his neck. “I don’t care.”
He shivered. “You cared a lot a few days ago.”
“A few days ago I was scared. I was afraid of what people would say. I was afraid of a lot of things, but you weren’t. You were bold and unafraid.”
“Are you kidding me? I’ve been scared shitless this whole time that you would never love me back.”
He’d never acted scared—shitless or any other kind. “Two days ago you told me I had to get in or out.” She lightly bit his ear. “I want in, Tucker. All of you. All the way.” She dropped back on her heels and looked up into his face that was no longer free of expression. His smile was as big as hers.
“I want you all the way, Lily Darlington.”
“People will say you’re crazy.”
“I don’t care what people say.” He pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “Just as long as I get to go crazy on you.”
