My feet start moving. I weave through the swaying crowd, Joe helping to clear a path. Killian watches me come, his whole heart shining in his eyes. He’s calling to me, singing that he’s the man who loves me.

By the time I reach the stage, it’s apparent to the audience that something’s going on. People make room, their smiles wide. But not as wide as Killian’s.

Setting his guitar down, he strides over and holds out his arms. The second our hands clasp, something inside me relaxes. He hauls me up with ease, and then I’m in his arms. Holding tight, his long, lean body surrounds me, a shelter from all things.

He’s sweat-slicked and trembling. My nose is crushed against his pec. I don’t ever want to let go.

“Libby,” he breathes into my hair. “You’re here.”

If anything, he holds me tighter. It’s okay. I don’t need air. Just him.

I turn my head and find his jaw with my lips. “You asked me to come. In the song. You asked me to come back to you.”

He bursts out in a broken laugh that makes his chest hitch. “You got that? No one else did.”

I close my eyes, let him support me. “No one else matters.”

He shivers harder. “Only you, Libs.”

Suddenly I hear the crowd again, hooting and shouting. Killian must hear them too because he lifts his head, giving them a wave and a smile. I see the blur of stage lights, dozens of phones held overhead, and Jax’s wink. Then Killian hurries me off the stage, refusing to let me go.

He doesn’t stop until we’re alone in a small dressing room.

I don’t know who moves first, but the door closes, and I’m wrapped in him. I’ve missed the way he feels, his taste, the scent of him. His hands bracket my cheeks, his mouth moving over mine.

“I missed you,” he says between frantic kisses. “I missed you so fucking much. I shouldn’t have let you go.” He kisses my eyes, my cheeks, the corner of my ear. “I thought I was setting you free. But it killed me. I need you, Libs. So much.”

“I know.” I cup the back of his neck and squeeze as I meet his gaze. “It was the same for me. I was just…empty.”

Dark, pained eyes search mine. “And then that stupid song. You wouldn’t answer me. I thought—”

“I’m sorry,” I cut in. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just needed to think things through. And I wanted to talk in person.”

He nods before dipping down to rest his forehead against mine. “What are you thinking, baby doll? What do you want?”

“You.” When he jerks, I grip his hard biceps. “I just want to be with you.”

“Good. Because I don’t think I can function anymore unless you’re here.”

“I missed you,” I tell him. I don’t think I can express it enough.

For a long moment he just looks at me. “I made a career off writing songs. They’ve given me awards for my lyrics. And never can I get the message right with you.”

“I don’t need you to—”

“I love you.”

My breath catches in my throat as my heart stops. I exhale in a burst, and he kisses my lips softly. So softly. The tenderness in it breaks me. I nearly sob when he does it again.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to say all this time.” He smiles, the barest curve of his lips. “I used to think those were just words. Something I could put in a song. They didn’t mean anything. I get it now. I get it.”

“Killian…”

The tip of his thumb caresses my cheek. “Love breaks your heart, fucks you up—perfect, all-consuming chaos. I didn’t know what to do with that. It felt safer to walk.” He wraps me up in his arms, his eyes on mine. “But it’s also this. Peace, and warmth, and so fucking beautiful, you’ll risk anything to keep it.”

“Killian…” I cup his cheek, run my fingers into his hair. Just hold him. “You do just fine getting your message across. I love you too, you know. So much.”

Oh, God, that smile—it’s pure happiness. “I need you to understand, Libby. You’re my reason, the answer to all questions.”

“And you, my sweet lawn bum, are my home. I’m just wandering unless I’m with you. And I’m so tired, Killian. I need to be home now.”

He takes a deep breath, pressing his lips against my forehead as if he has to ground himself. “I’m here. You’re here.” He ghosts a kiss over my cheek. “We’ll make it work. I’ll take time off and travel with you—”

“I’ve realized something,” I cut in. “I don’t want to be a star. Not at this level. It isn’t me.”

He frowns down at me. “Were you that miserable?”

“No, honey. It was an experience of a lifetime. I wouldn’t change the opportunities you gave me for the world. But these past few months?” I shrug. “Maybe I am my parents’ daughter. All I know is that it isn’t the stardom that lights me up. It’s playing, singing. It’s being with you. Those things matter to me. The rest is just…air.”

Killian’s soft laugh is wry, the corner of his mouth kicking up. “Funny thing, I realized that too.”

I still. “You want to quit?”

“No. But I do want to slow down. I want time with you. Time to enjoy life.” He shakes his head. “Kill John will always be part of me, but I’ve changed. We all have. I don’t know what will happen, but I’m not afraid of it anymore.”

I take a deep breath, press my cheek against his jaw. “You pulled me out of my shell. All that I am now is because of you.”

His fingers thread in my hair, giving the strands a gentle tug. “And you woke me up again. Let’s make a life together, Liberty. It’ll be good. So fucking good.”

I meet his eyes, those coffee dark eyes that always hold promise of sin and sweetness. Excitement tingles over my skin, pulls at my breath. “I can’t wait.”

Epilogue

Killian

 

The winter grass is the color of toasted sand, stretching toward a slate gray sky. It’s windy these days, the air wet with salt and sea. But on Libby’s farmhouse porch, with the cast-iron stove going, it’s warm enough for me to hang out in jeans and a T-shirt, my bare toes tapping on the worn floorboards.