Knowing what she did to him made her feel powerful, just as knowing what he did to her made her feel weak.

We can,” he murmured against her mouth, his breath a hot puff of longing. “We can do anything we want. I’ve never met anyone who needs to be held and loved as much as you do, Harper. Well, it so happens that you’ve got a man here with strong arms made to keep you safe. With so much love inside him that it’s just busting to get out. It’s all for you, minou. No one else I’d rather give it to.

Had he ever not been in love with her? He could barely remember a time he did not want her. Did not need her. Did not adore her with every part of his body and soul.

I have waited my entire life to love you and I refuse to let your stubbornness take you away from me.

She’d fallen in love with a man who risked it all to stoke the embers of desire created that first night and turn those sparks into flames of love. Who saw what she couldn’t because her heart was closed to the possibilities. Who respected and cherished all she was.Ford “Killer” Callaghan slayed her every time, and she was happy to die in his arms every night.