“What?” She shook her head. “I’m not sure—”
“I am. I love you. I am in love with you. I can’t tell you when it happened, only that it did. It’s real. It’s strong. And it’s forever. Whether or not you marry me, I love you.”
For the first time in her life, Renata Boone was completely speechless.
* * *
He blew out a slow breath. “Meeting you.” He broke off and moved closer, wanting to touch her but knowing the spark between them would complicate things. “I missed my plane.”
“What?” she frowned. “In October.”
“I stood there, wondering what the hell had happened. You made me feel things I shouldn’t be feeling—not yet, anyway. But I couldn’t go. If Betty hadn’t called, snapped me out of it, I might not have left.” He shook his head. “Once I had, I didn’t want to come back. Ever.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You scared me.” He swallowed. “After losing Shanna, I didn’t want to be in that position again.”
A tear hung from her long lashes then fell down her cheek.
“Fate brought me back, I believe that. I was supposed to come back because you were here. Maybe I was already a little in love with you then. It took everything I had to resist.” He reached for her hand. He squeezed her fingers, breathing easier when she squeezed back. “I love you. I love the way you smile, the way you laugh, the way you love my son—and me. Even if you did insist on telling me everything I never wanted to know about the place I know is my home, I can’t imagine my world without you.”
She wiped the tears from her cheek.
“Tell me what to do now. Whatever you need, whatever I need to do, tell me.”
“Say it again,” she whispered.
“I love you,” he whispered. “Forever.”
He waited, breathless. The longer she stared at him, the more terrified he grew.
Her big blue eyes never wavered, searching, doubtful. “You’re serious?” she whispered.
He nodded.
“This isn’t about my family or—”
He shook his head. “This is me. Loving you. Hoping like hell I didn’t just send you running for the hills.” He groaned. “I know you might not feel the same way. Like you said, who falls in love in a few weeks—”
“I do,” she whispered.
He could breathe again. “Pregnancy hormones?” His fingers brushed along her cheek.
“Possibly.”
“I’ll risk it,” he murmured.
“Seeing you only hurt because it reminded me of what I wanted—but couldn’t have.” The hitch in her voice shook him to the core.
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He closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her and resting his forehead against hers. “I’m yours, whether you want me or not. I’m done.”
She smiled, tears running down her face. “I don’t know why I’m crying. I can’t stop crying.”
“Happy tears?” he asked, tilting her face back. “I hope?”
Her nod was quick. “Are you happy now?”