𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 | 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐬.

Chapter nineteen.

Tessa

My mouth dropped open, and I had to fight to hold back the moan slipping from my lips. My panties instantly dampened.

Hardin shrugged. "You told me to be honest, Tess. I'm being honest."

I had to shake my head to get rid of the mental image of Hardin making love to me. No. The image was of Hardin fucking me. Hard and fast. I would be kidding myself if I said I didn't want that more than ever. But could I open my heart up to him again? Not until it was healed, and I needed to do one more thing for that to happen.

Swallowing hard, I ran my tongue along my lips. Hardin's eyes turned dark with desire.

"I... I... Um, I need a moment I think."

He stepped closer, and the air crackled between us. Gently lifting his hand, he placed it on the side of my face. "I'm sorry, pumpkin. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

I shook my head then placed my hand over his. With a soft smile, I pulled my lip between my teeth. Hardin's eyes dropped and focused on my mouth. The need to have him kiss me was overwhelming. My stomach twisted and turned, my body ached with want, and my heart was pounding.

Closing my eyes, I knew what I had to do. My gaze lifted up to meet his. "I need to show you something."

He nodded and dropped his hand.

Walking to the dresser, I opened the top drawer and searched for the velvet pouch. I picked it up and held it to my chest. Closing my eyes, I shut the drawer and held it out to Hardin.

My heart was beating so loudly in my chest I was sure he could hear it. He glanced at the bag and smiled. "Is that the same bag I gave you the promise ring in?"

Tears pricked my eyes as the memory of Hardin giving me the promise ring on my eighteenth birthday. He'd taken me to our favorite spot on the ranch where we had sat and watched countless sunsets. We'd talked about our dreams and our future. He had promised me no one would ever love me like he did. He had promised to love me forever.

"Y-yes."

The smile on his face faded. I could hardly breathe. He stared at the bag. "I promised to love you forever that night."

A tear slipped down my cheek.

When his eyes lifted and caught mine, he let out a pained sigh. His thumbs came up and wiped my tears away. "I've never stopped loving you, Tessa. I know that's hard to believe, but I never once stopped loving you."

A part of me knew it was true. He called his daughter the same pet name he called me. He sang her our song. I could see it in his eyes, the way he was looking at me this very moment.

My chin trembled as I dropped my gaze to the velvet bag. The ache I always felt when I looked at this bag hit me like a brick wall, but something about having Hardin here made it hurt a little less.

"I...I need to show you this." Lifting my head, our eyes locked. "I've tried moving on. I mean, I have moved on, but a part of me remains held back. Still lost in that storm."