He leaned down and kissed me gently. “There’ll never be another man.”
“You’re so sure, huh?”
Austin nodded. “I love you, Dani.”
I gasped and sat up, my forehead almost colliding with his. “What?”
He grinned. “You heard me.”
“But you can’t.”
“Why can’t I?”
“It’s too soon.”
“Is it?”
I let out a frustrated squeak. “Quit volleying with me.”
Austin laughed, pulling me down on top of him. “I’ve had the kind of life that when I find something good, I see it for what it is. I love you. End of story.”
I dropped my cheek to his chest. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t have to say anything, babe.”
“You’re not mad?” I was surprised he was so calm.
“About what?”
“Me not saying it back,” I said, lifting my head.
He chuckled. “Why the hell would I be mad?”
I sighed. “I have just always wondered what it would be like to be so secure in one’s self that they can say whatever they want and not feel vulnerable and stupid.”
“You think I’m vulnerable and stupid?” he teased.
“No,” I said quickly, and groaned.
Austin rolled me onto my back and slid his hand to my neck, thumbing my pulse. It was his go-to when I was feeling off-kilter, and it always made me feel safe. “Talk to me,” he prodded. “You can tell me anything, Dani.”
“It was when you warmed my hands,” I admitted.
“What was?”
“When I fell in love with you.” I squeezed my eyes shut expecting him to tell me I was an idiot.
“Eyes, baby.”
I opened them and shivered. He was looking at me as though I’d just given him the most precious gift. “It was when you talked in your sleep,” he said.
“Huh?”
“The other night. When you talked in your sleep.”
“Oh, right.” I groaned. “What did I say?”
He smiled, running a finger between my breasts. “‘I love you, Austin. Don’t leave me.’”
