Page 11 of Forever with the Mountain Man
"I've been thinking about what you said. About us being too different, about me deserving someone more appropriate."
Here it comes. The realization that I was right, that she's better off without me.
"And I realized something," she continues. "You're absolutely right."
The confirmation hurts more than I expected.
"I do deserve someone appropriate," she says, taking a step closer. "I deserve someone who works hard and takes pride in what they do. Someone who treats people with kindness and respect. Someone who sees a problem and fixes it instead of just complaining about it."
I frown, not understanding where she's going with this.
"I deserve someone who would spend extra time creating something beautiful for children he's never met. Someone who cares enough to do things right even when no one's watching. Someone who would sacrifice his own happiness to protect someone else's reputation."
Understanding dawns slowly. "Caroline, don't."
"I deserve someone exactly like you, Finn O'Sullivan." She takes another step closer, close enough that I can smell her perfume—that light floral scent that's been driving me crazy for weeks. "The question is, do you think you deserve someone like me?"
The question catches me off guard. "What?"
"Do you think you deserve to be happy? Do you think you deserve to be loved by someone who sees all your good qualities instead of focusing on what you think you lack?"
I stare at her, this brave, beautiful woman who's willing to fight for something I was ready to throw away out of fear.
"I don't know," I answer honestly.
"Well, I do." Her voice is steady, sure. "You deserve everything good this world has to offer. And if you'll let me, I'd like to spend the rest of my life proving that to you."
The words break something open inside me. Before I can think better of it, I'm crossing the distance between us, cupping her face in my hands.
"The town gossip."
"Will die down in a week when something more interesting happens."
"Your reputation."
"Will survive. I'm a good teacher, Finn. That's not going to change because I'm in love with you."
The words stop me cold. "In love?"
Her cheeks flush, but she doesn't look away. "Yes. I'm in love with you. Completely, hopelessly, head-over-heels in love with you."
I search her face, looking for any sign that she's not sure, that she might change her mind. All I see is certainty and heat and something that looks like forever.
"I love you too," I say, the words feeling like a revelation. "More than I thought possible."
Her smile is radiant. "Really?"
"Really." I brush my thumbs across her cheekbones. "I've been miserable without you. Can't eat, can't sleep. All I think about is you."
"Then stop thinking," she whispers, pressing closer. "And take me home."
"Caroline—"
"Please, Finn. Take me home with you. I need you. I need us."
The plea in her voice destroys the last of my resistance. "Yes," I growl, then capture her mouth in a kiss that's three days of longing and frustration and need.
My rental house is nothing fancy—a small cabin on the outskirts of town with basic furniture and my tools scattered around. But the moment Caroline steps inside, it feels different. It feels like home.
