“Before you thank me, you should know the caveat that comes with it. You may decide you don’t want it.”
His whiskey-colored eyes captured mine, holding my gaze prisoner. He picked up the heart, rubbing it between his fingers. “I didn’t come to take you home, but to tell you that I love you, and I’ll wait for you, however long it takes. This necklace is my way of saying you have my heart in your care. If you want it.”
I’d never seen such vulnerability in his eyes before. Sadness, yes, when he’d talked about his wife. Other than that one time, he’d always been confident and sure of himself. But now he let me see how easily I could hurt him. And he loved me! My heart sang with joy.
This man, oh God, this man. I climbed onto his lap, straddling him. “I want it.” I peppered kisses over his face. “I want it forever.”
A beautiful smile lit his face. “You just made me a very happy man, Red.”
“Well, in case you haven’t figured it out yet, I love you, too.” That earned me a kiss that curled my toes.
“Ah, young love. Do you remember how it was, Sophia?”
I lifted my head, eyeing the elderly couple standing only a few feet away, their hands clasped together.
The woman smiled fondly up at the man. “I do, and it is still so.” She glanced back at us. “Blessings on you both. May the love I see in your eyes last a lifetime and beyond,” she said before they walked away, her head resting on the man’s shoulder.
“Thank you,” I whispered as they retreated. Although she’d been a stranger, her blessing seemed like a gift, one I would cherish.
Dylan chuckled as he trailed a hand down my cheek. “You’re blushing.”
“I was afraid she could read my mind.”
He raised a brow. “And if she could have?”
“She would have blushed too, knowing all the things I want to do to you.”
“Now you have my attention.”
Happiness bubbled up, making me laugh. “Where are you staying?”
“About that. My luggage is being held at your hotel. I was hoping you’d invite me to share your room with you.” He slid his hands up my thighs.
I pushed off him. “Let’s go, roomie.” We had things to talk about, but all I wanted right now was Dylan naked in my bed.
We ran, holding hands and laughing, back to my room. As soon as the door closed behind us, he pushed me up against it.
“Your luggage—”
“Later.” His mouth crashed down on mine.
As our tongues tangled in a quest for dominance, he pulled the zipper down on my hoodie, pushing it off my shoulders and down my arms. I wanted his sweater off, but then we’d have to separate, so I settled for wrapping my legs around his waist. He slipped his hand under my T-shirt, trailed his fingers up my spine, and unhooked my bra.
“Dylan, please.”
He tore his mouth away, and seconds later I was naked from the waist up. “Please what, Red?”
I looked into eyes turned stormy with desire, my breath hitching at knowing all that heat was for me. He’d traveled thousands of miles to offer his heart into my keeping without being sure how I’d respond. How could I not love him?
“Please make love to me.”
“I love you,” he said as if reading my mind. He curled his arms under my knees, walking us to the bed.
“I love you back.” I would never get tired of telling him. Before I realized what he planned to do, we were falling. I yelped, getting a laugh from him as he took the brunt of the fall with me landing on top of him.
He rubbed his thumb over my bottom lip. “Always love me back, Jenny Girl.”
“Always. I promise.” Something in the way he’d asked for my love made me wonder if he was thinking of the woman who’d broken his heart. It couldn’t have been an easy thing for him to trust in love again. Yet he was here, bravely trusting me. I would never be her. Ever. I wanted him to know that.
