Page 42 of A Montana Fake Marriage

He glanced at her once, no sign of amusement in his eyes. Her heart beat faster. He wasn’t going to tell her that he wanted this arrangement to end early, was he? She didn’t think she could bear the heartache—not after she’d finally come to accept that her heart was the one making the decisions lately.

Her nervous laugh did nothing to assuage the nerves racing through her body. If he was going to take her somewhere she wouldn’t make a scene so he could break things off with her, he’d have to do so after she confessed her feelings. He was going to have to look her in the eye after she told him she loved him before she’d allow him to turn her away.

All the way up the stairs, her heart pounded more erratically than it had in her whole life. Caleb pulled them into their bedroom, then released her hand to shut the door behind him. The second he turned to face her, she blurted, “I think I’m in love with you.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“What?”It was all Caleb could stammer. The last couple of days had been torture. There was something about his confession that made him ache for Sammie even more—though he couldn’t act on any of his feelings because she didn’t know. He blinked at her, waiting for her to laugh or shove him aside. He waited for her teasing tone. But none of that came.

She was breathing heavily, just as he was. The trek across the property in the freezing temperatures had been more than enough to leave them winded.

Caleb took a step toward her when she didn’t explain herself. “What are you saying?” he whispered.

She swallowed. Her cheeks were already tinged pink from the chill outside, but beneath that color, a new sort of rosy glow flooded her skin. She pressed her lips together in a thin line then forced a laugh. “What does it sound like I’m saying?”

He wouldn’t dare hope—couldn’t dare hope—that she’d been harboring feelings for him. Caleb needed to hear her say it again, confirm what she had said in another way before he allowedhimself to succumb to the relief and exhilaration that currently tried to overthrow his shock. “Sammie,” he murmured quietly, “this isn’t a game.”

“No, it’s not.” She lifted her chin, even as he continued to step closer, even as he scrutinized her. “I… love you.”

Still, he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“I don’t know when it happened. And I don’t know why except for the fact that you’ve been so good to me. You take care of me, and you’ve always been there for me. I think it was only a matter of time, and before you ask, it’s not the kind of love a friend has for another friend, but it’s the kind of love that?—”

That was all he needed to hear. Caleb pressed a finger to her lips, cutting her off. She sucked in a sharp breath, questions in her eyes. “You love me?” Caleb murmured.

She blinked several times before she finally nodded. “I love you, Caleb.”

His chest tightened, and he pulled her into a hug, crushing her into his body. Words would never do his feelings justice. “You don’t know how happy you’ve just made me.”

Her arms came around him, hesitant at first. Her body went from being stiff as a board to melting into him. Then she shuddered. Was she crying?

He pulled back and stared at her, not completely setting her free. “Sammie,” he whispered, not able to find the words to ask. Caleb searched her eyes, looking for any sign that she was unhappy.

But her eyes shone brighter than before. “Really?” she whispered.

He let out a strangled laugh. “Nothing could make me happier than knowing that you love me… because I’ve known I’ve loved you since our wedding day.”

Her eyes widened. “What?” Her question was a breath of a whisper. He wasn’t even sure he heard it—perhaps he hadn’t, and he’d only seen it from the shape of her lips.

Caleb reached up with his hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He let his fingertips trace along the side of her face then down her jaw until he grasped her chin with his finger and thumb. “I think a part of me has always loved you, Sammie. And I’m only now realizing how much time I’ve wasted in not telling you sooner.” He searched her eyes, drank her in. There was no one else for him. No one who would come close to stealing his heart like she had.

Without another word, he dipped his face closer to hers. It was a slow, hesitant movement. Part of him wondered if he was dreaming. But when she slipped her hand around the back of his neck to drag him to her, he gave in.

All his inhibitions were gone, hauled away from where he’d been clutching them so tightly. His lips crushed over hers with a passion he hadn’t thought himself capable of. Sammie opened up to him, clung to him like he was the bearer of breath itself.

Her body was soft and warm and yet hot with a fire that mirrored his own. Desire exploded within him. She was sweet to the taste, and he had every intention of savoring the experience as long as he could. Sammie pushed her fingers into his hair, knocking his hat to the floor with a soft thud. Their kiss deepened until he wasn’t sure he could hold himself back any longer.

They were married. There was nothing wrong with these carnal desires. But he couldn’t rush her. He couldn’t push her into something she might regret participating in. They had time.

Caleb withdrew carefully, turning his attention to her jaw as he nipped soft kisses along its edge then down her neck. Sammie gasped, her hands still pressing against him. He moaned, wishing he could just take all of her in this very moment.

Time.

There’d be plenty of time for that. Right now, she deserved his love and respect. She deserved to feel like a princess. Caleb pulled back, finding pleasure in the brief flicker of her disappointment at the movement. She wanted him. Her eyes were clouded with a desire he knew all too well. Her pink nose, cheeks, and chin all showed evidence of the kiss they’d shared. When he didn’t look away, she let out a nervous laugh. “What?”

He shook his head. “You’re… so beautiful.”

Sammie dropped her gaze, and a smile played at her lips. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

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