Page 55 of Lost With You
He strained to hear every rustle of her clothing, every swallow, to read every flicker of her lashes. His attention was so intense he felt like he could sense the ringing whine of electricity running through the wires behind the walls.
She plucked at a string hanging from the hem of her T-shirt. “Is that what you want me to do, Dylan?”
“You know it isn’t.” His heart felt like a ball of lead. “You know what I want.”
“I really don’t.” She lifted her face, paler than ever against the deep brown of her eyes. “I can only guess.”
“Listen.” He spoke around a lump. “I know everything between us happened fast.”
“Lightning-fast.”
“It knocked me pretty hard.” He frowned and shook his head. “This was unexpected. Welcome. But it messed with my mind. I’m pretty sure it messed with yours, too.”
She tilted her head in acknowledgment.
“And yet it’s not the rush of a life-and-death experience that brought me here tonight. What’s on my mind…I’ve wanted to say it since the night we spent in the pop-up tent in the woods. Maybe even earlier.”
She nodded again, clutching her hands.
“I’ve been in this place before.” He swayed back a fraction. The edge of the bureau pressed into his thighs. “You know I married the last woman I went camping with. And that’s exactly how I know that this thing between me and you…it’s different.”
Her soft lips parted, her body stilled.
“Just to be clear, it’s not the drugs speaking. What they gave me at the hospital is strong, but I skipped my last dose on purpose. I need a clear head for this.”
Her eyes went shiny, luminous in her face. He gathered up every ounce of courage he had left.
“I love you, Casey.”
She looked like a deer stunned by headlights. She didn’t touch the bedside light, but the room seemed to dim nonetheless. In spite of that, a weight lifted from his heart. Even if she went her own way, even if she chose to run, at least he had this moment to remember, this stretch of silence as he laid his heart bare. Casey had brought his heart back to life again. He’d be grateful, even if she chose not to continue their relationship.
“I’m not here to change your mind, if you’ve already made it up.” He balled his hands into fists in his pockets, unable to penetrate the tight, still expression on her face. “I know there’s not a damn thing I can do to convince you to stay with me, if you’re not ready to upend your life. But, Casey, if you are…”
She floated up from the bed and drifted across the space that separated them. He watched her come closer, smelled the eucalyptus scent of her hair from the hotel shampoo long before he touched those damp locks.
“Whatever the question is you’re struggling to ask me, Dylan…” Her smile was like the rising of the sun. “The answer isyes.”
Light exploded behind his eyes. Had he heard her right? Or had he only imagined he’d heard her say—
“I’m yours.” She made a lovely, half-strangled sound and pressed against his bandaged torso. “I love you, too.”
His body curled around her by instinct, though his mind still couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
Against his chest, she whispered, “This is crazy, isn’t it?”
He nodded, struck dumb.
“Three weeks,” she said. “I hardly know where my head is right now. But I feel like I’m exactly where Ishouldbe. Exactly where I belong.”
He said, “You’re staying with me.”
“Yes.” She laughed. “For the next day or two, at least. Maybe a little longer if you talk me into it.”
He pulled back, baffled.
“I just made a promise to my sister.” She ran her fingers across his newly-shaven jaw. “I told her that I would spend some time with her and my nieces. I haven’t been the best sister. Or aunt. I need to see her, Dylan. I need to talk with her, to tell her…everything. Most of all, I have to tell her aboutyou.”
His heart pounded. “You’ll come right back.”
