She continued to watch him, as if waiting for something.
He was just lost in her eyes. “Do you know how beautiful you are?” he asked, his voice low.
Vera’s blush deepened, but she didn’t look away from his gaze. “What an . . . unexpected question.”
“I think it often,” he admitted. “Because, somehow, I don’t think you realize just how beautiful you are. I don’t think you know what you do to me every time I look at you.” Shock flared in her eyes, and he feared he’d admitted too much.
Before he could say anything, though, Sarah and Finn bounded over. “It’s your turn to dance,” the little girl declared breathlessly.
Finn nodded, extending his arms. “I’ll hold Rebecca.”
“No, that’s all right,” Vera said quickly.
Well, that hurt.
Sarah pouted. “You need to dance, Vera. It’s fun. And Venn’s a good dancer.”
His mouth twitched, and when Vera glanced at him, he stood, holding out a hand. “You did say I was perfect,” he reminded her.
She looked at his extended palm, then met his stare. The corner of her mouth slowly lifted. “I, however, amnotperfect. I’ll step on your toes.”
“That’s all right. For you, I can handle a little pain.”
Vera handed Rebecca to Finn, and then she took Venn’s hand. His fingers curled over hers, and he tugged her a couple of steps away from the bench.
The tempo was moderate, and Venn began to guide her through the dance.
She immediately tread on his toes, and color suffused her cheeks. “Sorry.”
“Didn’t you participate in Clare’s dance lessons?” he teased.
She shot him a look. “Yes, but I was never any good.”
He couldn’t hold back his grin. “You just need to relax. Let the music carry you, and let me guide you.”
She took a breath, but even as she exhaled, he could still feel the tension in her body.
He eased closer and dropped his chin, putting them close to eye-level. Their breaths mingled, and she was so close, she was all he could see.
“Trust me,” he whispered.
Her gaze held his as she said, “I do.” She took a breath, then let her shoulders fall. Her hands relaxed—one on his shoulder and one in his hand. His hold on her waist firmed as he led her through the dance with silent cues, ensuring her balance through every rotation.
The music shifted to a gentler melody. As their movements slowed, Venn drew her in closer. The scent of her vanilla soap drifted between them, and his heart skipped when she squeezed his hand.
For all the time they’d spent together these past weeks, this moment was different. Her nearness was enough to stagger him, but the way she looked at him . . . That undid him.
Vera’s eyes slowly closed and she leaned in until her forehead rested against his chest.
He may have stopped breathing.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
His jaw brushed her temple as he ducked his head beside hers. “For what?”
“For this. For being here with me. For being you.”
A thrill shot through him. Her words were simple, but open and honest. He met them with his own simple honesty. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
