“I’ll go over the plan with my aunt and uncle, get their input.”
She nodded.
“But I can’t do that until I get yours.”
Stevie wanted to leave him hanging for a bit longer but couldn’t bring herself to do it. She’d spent every waking moment thinking about his plan. As much as she wanted to deny it, she was excited by the prospect. More so than she ever was about the landscaping business. Not that she would admit that.
“But you’ll have to look at it again,” Stone said. “I … umm…” He took a heavy inhale, and she swore he was nervous. “I added somethin’ to the plan. Nothin’ major. I just thought it might benefit the school if we could do somethin’ to give back.”
She eyed him curiously. “Like?”
“Since I’m movin’ forward with the farmers’ market idea, I thought it might help if we sectioned off an area and let the school use it to grow their own produce so they could sell it.”
Her heart slammed into her ribs. That was very generous on his part. Not to mention wildly attractive. The fact that he was thinking about people other than himself…
Stevie took another drink, set the glass on the coffee table, and turned to face him more fully.
“I’m in.”
His expression was priceless. He obviously wasn’t expecting that.
“But there are some conditions,” she added.
“Of course.”
“If we’re goin’ into business together, we’ve got to outline it accordingly. It has to remain separate from…” She waved her hand between them. “I need to know I’ll be protected if this doesn’t work.”
“The paperwork’s all drawn up. For you and Nico.”
It was her turn to be surprised.
“This isn’t a rash decision on my part, Stevie. I’ve thought long and hard about it.” He put his glass on the table and scooted closer. “But I need you to know, I’m not givin’ up on us.”
She swallowed hard, meeting his gaze.
“What I want from you and Nico has nothin’ to do with business. I wantthatbecause I think we’ll make a good team, and if that’s all I get, I’ll find a way to be happy. At least I’ll have you in my life, Stevie.”
She hated that he sounded so sincere. Keeping the hard shell around her heart was much easier when she doubted him. She feared she had no resistance to this man, the one whose heart was on his sleeve.
“But I want more. I want a life with you. I’ve missed you for so long,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingertips gently caressing her cheek. “I never stopped thinkin’ about you.”
Tears formed, but she fought them back.
“And I’ve never stopped lovin’ you.”
“I’m a sure thing tonight, Stone.” She swallowed the lump of emotion clogging her throat. “You don’t have to seduce me.”
He pulled back and met her stare. “I’m not. I’m tellin’ the truth.”
She detected no dishonesty, and her attempt to hold back the tears became futile.
“I want so much more than tonight, Stevie. I want the rest of our lives.”
She was a goner. The tears began to fall as she threw her arms around his neck, crushing her lips to his. She let his heat consume her, his strength reassure her.
“I want that, too,” she whispered, ensuring her words were too soft for him to hear.
Twenty-Nine
