“Carbs always do,” I replied.“Same difference.”
We sat at the small table, our knees bumping underneath.He devoured his first serving, then went back for seconds and thirds.
“You trying to fatten me up?”he asked between bites.
“Someone needs to add some padding to those abs.”
His mouth curved into a smile.“Keep feeding me pasta and you might succeed.”
My heart performed another weird flip in my chest.
After dishes, we ended up on the couch.He dropped into one corner.I curled into the other.A movie played on low volume, some old action thing.At some point my feet ended up in his lap.His hands rested on my shins, thumbs moving absently in small circles.
I watched his profile in the flickering light.Strong jaw.Faint scar along his cheek.The little lines at the corners of his eyes.
I thought about Victor.Diaz.The offer.
“You really meant what you said,” I blurted.
He turned his head.“Which part?”
“To him,” I said.“About me.About never handing me over.”
“I hadn’t realized you could hear any of that.”His gaze went serious.“Yeah.I meant it.”
“You said…” My voice faltered.He waited.“You said I was your woman.”
“I did.”
I raised my eyebrows.“You sure?My baggage comes cartel-shaped with teeth.”
Kane’s eyes never left mine.“When I opened my door, I walked straight toward your problems.My choice.I could have bailed, and here I sit.”
My voice dropped to a whisper.“The way you talk makes me want to believe every word.”
“I want you to.”
I slid my feet off his lap and moved closer until my thigh pressed to his.My hand found his on the cushion.I traced the veins on the back of his hand with my finger.
“In the kitchen earlier, with Casey.I said you were mine.By accident.”
His mouth curved slowly.“Yeah?”
“She is never going to let me live it down,” I said.
“Good.Somebody should have it on record.”
I swallowed.“You are, though.Mine.”
His thumb stroked over my knuckles.“And you’re mine.If you want to be.”
Fear flared.Not because I did not want it.Because I did.
“I’m falling in love with you.”The words spilled out before I could lose the nerve.
Silence stretched for a heartbeat.Then he shifted so he faced me fully, knee brushing my leg.His hand came up, fingers gentle on my jaw.
“Good,” he said.“Because I’m already there.”
