Page 65 of Daring to Love You
He nodded. “I will, but you know that goes both ways, right? If there’s something on your mind, or if you have a problem, or if you feel unsafe, anything, just know I will always be here for you. Okay?”
“Okay.”
When she smiled at him, a warm, sensuous light passed between them. The heartrending tenderness in her eyes had his pulse jumping.
God, this woman…
If only she knew the effect her presence in his life had on him. He felt whole, like the emptiness that once resided inside of him was now filled with peace and love. And it was all because of her. His sweet Dorian.
She reached out and cupped his cheek. Her touch was so gentle and calming that his eyes drifted close on their own accord. He could stay like this forever.
“Are you going back to sleep?” she asked, and he reopened his eyes.
“Depends. What time is it?”
“Six o’clock.”
He snorted. “Hell yeah, I’m going back to sleep. Don’t you know there’s a law that says, if you don’t have to work, you’re supposed to sleep in until ten?”
She laughed, and the sound warmed him.
“Why are you awake? It’s too early, especially considering we just got in bed a few hours ago.” A yawn slipped through as if punctuating his words.
“I’m an early riser.”
“Oh, then we’re going to have a problem because I’m a night owl and rarely go to bed before one.”
“You’re right, that’s a problem. I guess I’m going to have to give you a reason to get in bed a little earlier every night,” she said, the sassy side of her personality peeking through.
And he grinned when he realized what she was saying—she was planning to spend more nights with him. Good.
“If you’re in my bed, you better believe I’ll be right beside you.”
Her smile lingered but slowly turned serious.
“What?” he said. “What’s on your mind?”
“I’m thinking…” she started but stopped, and then it was like she was transforming from his sweet, innocent, obsession to his bold, self-assured, hellcat. Oh yeah, this should be good.
“Tell me,” he said. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking I don’t want to pretend anymore. I know we had an agreement, but I want to change the parameters of our deal.”
His heartbeat picked up speed. “I’m listening.”
“I want us to date for real. I want you to be my man, and I’m not saying that because of the beautiful gifts you’ve given me, or how you make me feel like a queen. I want to change the agreement because I love you.” The last words were spoken barely above a whisper, but Lynix heard them loud and clear.
“Finally,” he said and covered her mouth with his, kissing her with an urgency that left him breathless. She was his. All his, and he planned to treasure her like the queen she was.
He broke off the kiss. “I love you too,” he said, cupping her face between his hands as he kissed her again. “I love you so damn much and yeah, no more fake dating because you’re mine. My woman.”
“I like the sound of that,” she said, and the love he saw in her eyes had his heart thumping erratically.
“I think we should go away next weekend and consummate our relationship,” he said and lay back against the pillows.
“Why wait until next week, and why do we have to leave? Can’t we do that now and here?”
He shook his head. “I want your first time to be special, and I have ideas. We can fly to New York for a long weekend, have a picnic in Central Park, go on a carriage ride, do some shopping, then have a nice romantic dinner before we take in a show. After we leave the theater, we’ll head back to the hotel where I’ll have flowers and candles, and—”
