“Because it’s too soon. I’ve only known you for seventeen days—not that I’m counting,” she tacked on quickly. “That’s not nearly enough—”
She stopped talking when he stepped into her personal space, his hand cupping her face. “I love you, Violet.”
She shook her head but had to stop when his lips settled over hers.
“You can’t love me,” she said, although it came out something like “Ooocahhluuuumm” because his mouth was on hers, and she didn’t want to pull away.
“But I do,” he whispered against her lips, pressing his forehead to hers as he played with her hair.
“But you’re leavin’.”
“Not if you ask me to stay.”
Violet pulled back, needing to look into his eyes. “Are you serious?”
“I’m not sayin’ we need to move in together. I’ll find a place. And if there’s nothin’ available, maybe I could convert that storage space into an apartment.”
She smiled, couldn’t help it. They’d briefly discussed the second-floor storage area she’d yet to convert into a profitable rental property.
“I can pay for the renovations as part of the rent.”
“Now you’re too good to stay here?” she said, her voice soft.
Simon laughed, the sound causing chills to dance along her arms. “I don’t care where I live, Violet, as long as I get to see you every single day. For the rest of my life.”
“Why did you tell Paige you’d deal with me on Friday? That I knew what was comin’?”
His eyes were intent. “I don’t know what we were talkin’ about.”
“You accused her of bein’ scared.”
Simon’s eyes widened slightly, his forehead relaxing. “We were talkin’ about Max Adorite. About me havin’ to interact with him. She’s worried about Archer’s safety. And yours.”
“You said we talked about it.”
“We did. At dinner. You said you didn’t want me dealin’ with a mobster.”
She was trying to remember.
“You said I could end up fish food with cement shoes.”
“Oh.” Yeah. She remembered now. “So you weren’t sayin’ you’d deal with me on Friday when you left?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“I would have to be leavin’ on Friday for that to happen.”
“You said you were.”
“Yeah.” He cupped her face again. “Then I spent the last few nights in your bed, Violet. I woke up with you in my arms. I can’t walk away from that. I love you, and I want more time with you so we can figure out where this is goin’. Provided you’re willin’, of course.”
Swoon.
Violet nodded, staring deep into those blue/green/gray eyes. She let herself swoon this time. Allowed herself to see past the walls she’d put up to keep nice guys like Simon at a distance.
“I can’t say it back,” she whispered.
