“What do you mean? Why do you think you could have stopped him sooner?”
“Because I should have told Eddie weeks ago that I wasn’t in love with him any longer.”
“Weeksago?”
She nodded. “Weeks. But then I really didn’t admit it to myself until the night we went to that romantic restaurant. So, you see, that’s why I felt guilty.”
“I don’t want you feeling guilty, especially when it comes to him.”
“Okay.” She wound both arms loosely around his neck and pressed her cheek against his chest. His heartbeat was as erratic and fast as hers. They continued to sway to the music.
“Calvin, I’m not sure how much you heard me tell Eddie, but...” She licked her dry lips. “But I... I love you.”
The swaying stopped and he lifted her chin so that she’d look at him. Love shone in his eyes.
“I love you, too” he said.
“You are so wonderful. I don’t know why it took me so long to figure that out.”
“Because you didn’t want to rush into your new feelings, especially since you were just starting to lose the old feelings.”
She chuckled lightly. “You’re right. I wanted to make sureyouwere the man for me.”
“Rayne, you are the woman for me. I love how you make me feel so alive, but I love more how you make me want to be a better person.”
“I do?”
He nodded. “Rayne, I love you so much. I want us to have a real wedding.”
“But, we did have a real wedding.”
“Not the kind you’ve dreamed of having. I want us to repeat our vows in a church, in front of God and our family and friends. I want to give you everything you’ve ever wanted because you’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“And what’s that?” As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized what it was.
“Acceptance... and unconditional love,” he replied.
“I only share what you have given to me.”
He covered her mouth and tightened his arms around her. The kiss was even more special than any of the times before because this time she knew she was in love. She deepened the kiss, enjoying his soft sighs and the way he acted as though he couldn’t get enough. Oh, wait... those sighs were coming fromher!
He broke the kiss and trailed his lips down her neck and over her bare collarbone. She shivered with delight.
“I have some good news,” he muttered in between kisses.
“Nothing can be better than this.”
His body shook with silent laughs. “No, nothing is better, but you’re going to want to hear this anyway.”
His mouth moved up her neck to her ear. He nibbled lightly on her lobe. “Hmm... Do we have to stop kissing?”
“No.”
She sighed heavily. “Okay, then tell me.”
“I heard from the investigator for Sally’s case.” He moved his mouth back up to hers to kiss there before moving back down her neck. “Jeff isn’t very bright. He’s been cheating on his wife, and so now he’ll not get one penny of her money.”
Rayne gasped and pulled back just enough to look into Calvin’s eyes. “That was fast.”
