Page 165 of Along Came Amor
She shifted closer to him. “At the time, it seemed like the future I wanted was no longer available to me. I was scared to dream. Scared towant. And then you showed up. And suddenly... wanting was easy.”
He twined one of her curls around his index finger, needing to touch her, needing the connection. “And dreaming?”
“I don’t need to,” she said simply. “You are more than I ever could’ve dreamed of, more than I would have dared to wish for. You’ve always urged me to tell you what I want. Roman, what I want isyou.”
His throat went tight as he whispered, “I want you, too, Ava. You’re all I want. It’s why I’m stepping down as CEO. I can’t stand the thought of you alone in our home, waiting for me to come back from a business trip or a long day at the office. I want tobe therewith you.”
“I love your home,” she confessed.
“Then why haven’t you moved in with me already?”
Her chuckle was breathless. “Because until now, I’ve told myself I can’t have what I love.”
“You can,” he said simply. “Me, my home, anything I have—it’s yours, Ava.” Then his tone turned serious. “I know you’ve been hurt before. And while I can’t predict the future, what I can promise is that I’ll always be open with you and tell you how I’m feeling, so we can deal with it together.”
“That’s enough for me,” she said, her eyes shining. “I promise to do the same.”
“And planning for the future?” he asked.
“All I know is that I plan to be with you. Wherever this life takes us.” She smiled. “Love is worth the risk.You’reworth it.”
“And so are you.” He cleared his throat. “Now, can we discuss the other thing I said in that closet?”
Her face flushed, but she nodded.
“I didn’t mean to bring it up that way,” he began. “I was... well, I was upset by what we overheard, and pissed off that I couldn’t stand up for you the way I wanted. But I meant it, Ava. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to marry you.”
Her beautiful hazel eyes locked on him. He saw a little bit of fear lurking there, but he also saw... well, hehopedhe saw acceptance.
He lowered his voice and stroked her fingers. “Consider this me giving you time to get used to the idea. We’ll go at your pace, but if, at some point, you do decide you want to get married again, I’m ready.”
“What if I’m never ready?” The words came out hushed, and she blinked rapidly.
“I’ll love you anyway.” He raised their joined hands and kissed her knuckles. “Do you believe me?”
A tear spilled down her cheek, but her smile was radiant. “Yes. I believe you.”
It was all he needed to hear. He finally brought his mouth to hers, pouring everything he felt into the kiss, knowing it would take an infinite number of kisses to fully convey how much he loved her. She melted into him, stroking her tongue against his and making tiny sounds in her throat.
His spirit soared. He didn’t care that they were outside and it was a hundred degrees. He didn’t care that the lobby staffwas probably watching through the front windows. Ava loved him and he loved her. Everything else? They’d figure it out together.
After what seemed like a second or a lifetime, he pulled back, breathless. “Now can I buy you gifts?”
Her full-throated laugh was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard.
Text Exchange with Damaris Fuentes
Damaris:I’m on my way from the airport. How’s it going?
Ava:Holy shit. I have so much to tell you.
Damaris:I’ll be there soon!
Ava:By the way, I decided to quit Alliance.
Damaris:OMG me too! Gunderson is the fucking worst. I can’t suffer through another semester.
Ava:What are you going to do instead?
