" She looked at the strong hand holding hers. “Oh my goodness, what did you do?” Harper asked, eyebrows raised and mouth open as she studied the cuts and bruises.
“Had a conversation with a streetlight once you got into the cab,” he said, pulling her closer to him.
“I’m sorry, Trent. I really am. If I blew you and me because of all this, I get it and I don’t blame you. I’m done running. I’m done being scared. I’m done doubting whether you and your friends will help me if I need it. I am done with everything except being in love with you. I—”
Harper was flipped onto her back and underneath Trent in the blink of an eye.
“Say it again.” His dark eyes were fierce as he held each side of her face in his big, safe hands.
“I’m sorry, I—”
“No.” He cut her off. “Not that part. The ‘I love you’ part.”
“I love you.” Harper had barely gotten the words out of her mouth before Trent’s lips descended on hers. Their mouths clashed together, banging teeth before soothing bitten lips with soft tongues.
Trent pulled away, taking a deep breath before staring deep into her eyes. Harper could feel his very soul merging with hers.
“I love you, Harper. Everything else is details. A lot of fucking details, granted, but just details. "

― Scarlett Cole , The Strongest Steel (Second Circle Tattoos, #1)