Maya Banks - Colters' Gift

She turned so she could slide her hand up over Noah’s shoulder, and she hugged him to her. Her face was buried in his neck, his scent surrounding her, filling her. She breathed deep, content here in his arms.

The panic that had so firmly gripped her just moments earlier had receded, and calm had wrapped her in its soothing embrace.

“I love you,” she said against Noah’s neck.

He put his hand to the back of her head and stroked through her hair. “Oh honey, I love you so damn much I ache with it. We’re going to get through this together. You, me and Liam. No hurry. We have all the time in the world.”

The words slid sweetly over her ears and loosened the tension in her chest.

“We do, don’t we?” she said in wonder.

Noah pulled her away from his chest, his smile tender and warm. “We have nothing but time.”

She reached for Liam, wanting that contact with him. Noah slid his hand possessively up her back as she curled into Liam, laying her head on his shoulder.

“I love you both so much and I was so afraid to let myself. But fighting it didn’t feel right. I was afraid to trust myself again after I made so many terrible mistakes, but this time I’m right. I know it.”

“In time you won’t question yourself or your decision,” Liam said in a solemn voice. “I plan to convince you on all points that you’ve absolutely made the right decision this time.”

She kissed him, wanting the deeper intimacy, wanting to show him that she had no doubts. That she loved him. That she wanted a life with him and Noah no matter how difficult the road.

She slowly retreated from the warmth of his mouth and his touch to turn her face up to Noah. His lips came down in a heated rush to meet hers, and she sighed in contentment.

Noah pulled back, his hand going to her face in a gentle caress. “We’re taking you home . . . to stay.”

Hope soared through her chest, lighting up every part of her soul that was still steeped in darkness. But then just as quickly, reality crept in, her euphoria deteriorating.

“Baby, don’t look like that,” Liam said, his voice filled with tenderness.

“What will you and Noah do in Clyde?” she asked. “It’s not fair for you both to have to rearrange your entire lives . . . for me.”

Noah smiled and leaned his forehead in until it touched hers. “That’s what you do for the person you love. And it’ll be worth every single change if it means that you’ll be happy, feel safe, and that we’ll be with you every single day for the rest of our lives.”

Her eyes widened and Liam scowled. It was a gruff look of annoyance that made him look . . . adorable.

“Did you honestly think we weren’t in this for the long haul?” Liam demanded. “You’re it for us, Lauren, and I hope to hell we’re it for you because if not, you’re going to have two surly-ass, love-sick men following you around like damn puppies.”

She laughed softly, joy filling her heart.

“We want forever,” Noah said. “To be honest, I wanted our proposal to be romantic and in the perfect setting, but fuck it. I just want your promise. Marry us, Lauren. We’ll figure it out. The Colters can give us advice. They’ve made it work for over thirty years.”

“We’ll make it work too,” Liam said, his voice full of conviction.

There was no doubt in their expressions or their eyes. No hesitancy. They were offering her all she could ever hope for.

Love.

Forever.

Happily ever after.

All the things she thought she’d never have because she’d made all the wrong choices.

Laughter bubbled up through the tears burning her eyelids.

“What’s so funny?” Noah asked, his brows drawn together.

“I was just thinking about all the bad decisions I made, but then it occurred to me that if I hadn’t made those exact choices, I would have never found the two of you. I guess in a way I have to be grateful for Joel because he was what led me to you.”

“Fuck him,” Liam growled. “I like to think we would have found you anyway, and I’m damn sure not going to thank him for anything.”

“Do you have an answer for us?” Noah gently prompted.

It was then that she could see their nervousness. They were worried over her answer. Her heart melted and her chest ached from the overwhelming surge of love.

“Oh yes,” she breathed. “I’ll be with you, marry you, try my best to make you happy for the rest of our lives.”

Triumph flashed hot and vibrant in Liam’s eyes. Relief was stark in Noah’s gaze. They converged on her, surrounding her as they enfolded her in their embrace.

Their lips were on hers, taking turns at her mouth, sliding down her cheek. Kisses pressed to her forehead, her temple. Whispers of love in her ear.

She closed her eyes, savoring every moment. Forgotten was the past, and even the present to an extent. Before her lay the promise of tomorrow, precious and beautiful. Noah and Liam were her future and she was theirs.

As the plane descended over the Colorado mountains, she was gripped by the rightness of being back . . . home . In a place where she’d first learned the importance of family and unconditional support.

She was returning. Much stronger this time. Ready to reach forward instead of looking back.

The Colters were her family, and she very much belonged to them, but now she belonged to Noah and Liam as well. They belonged to her. All that she could ever want was right here in her hands and in her heart.

THIS is killing me,” Noah said in a grim voice.

Liam sighed and rubbed a weary hand through his hair as he stared back at his friend. “It’s killing me too,” he admitted. “She’s not sleeping, and when she does, she has nightmares. I don’t know what to do. I feel so fucking helpless!”

Noah sipped at the steaming mug of coffee and stared out the glass patio doors leading onto the small deck of the cabin he, Liam and Lauren now shared. When they’d returned to Clyde six weeks ago, they’d known they had to address the issue of housing. There was no way they could continue to stay in Lauren’s tiny efficiency apartment above the clinic in town.

Adam had called in a favor from an old friend who had a cabin just out of town. It was halfway between Clyde and where the older Colters lived up the mountain. The man hadn’t lived in it for some time and only used it as a vacation home once or twice a year. He’d been happy for them to move into it. It wasn’t perfect, but it would do until they could figure out what they wanted as far as a permanent place to live.

There was no question that they’d remain here. Surrounded by Lauren’s family. People who loved her and were a constant source of comfort and solace. But they had a lot to work out. Mainly what the hell he and Liam were going to do in order to support the woman they both loved.

They had money saved. They could definitely make that money last for a long period of time, but it wasn’t infinite. And the last thing Noah wanted was for Lauren to ever want for anything. He’d give her the fucking moon if that’s what she wanted.

“We just have to give her time,” Noah said quietly. “She went through hell. I can still see the fucking shame in her eyes at times, and it pisses me off that we let that son of a bitch get to her. That she spent enough time with him that he abused her. Again .”