by TW Knight
"I've never—"
"I think I love you, Breanna Thorn. Now and forever, whatever happens."
Bree lay there, mouth hanging open, sure she looked like a fish out of water. Neither of them moved. When her senses finally returned, she asked, "Did you just say—"
"I. Think. I. Love. You." He punctuated each word with a kiss. "And I was an idiot for fighting it. I knew that first night when you touched my hand and set my nerves on fire, you'd ruined me for anything casual. I'm sorry it took me so long to accept it. I just didn't understand what I was feeling. I only knew that what I was feeling scared me."
"Bass, you don't have to say it."
He laughed and wrapped around her. "I'm not saying it because I think that's what you want to hear. I'm saying it because I think that's what I'm feeling. It took almost losing you to make me realize this was real."
"You think you love me?"
"I told you, I didn't have any frame of reference for love. I've never experienced it before. So, yes, I think I love you."
No pain colored his words or clouded his eyes. His voice didn't hitch or change. He wasn't lying. Wasn't trying to lie to make her happy.
Bree cried as she kissed him. Bass may not be sure, but she was. It took a lot of courage for him to say the words.
Holding him tight, she whispered, "I love you, too."