Page 57 of Out of the Shadows
His face colours with a light flush, but his eyes are bright and clear and steady as they meet mine.
Then let me teach you, Daniel. Let me teach you all of it…
“You’re right, it is difficult. But does it make any difference?”
He shakes his head slowly as his lips curve into a smile.
“No. There’s so much stacked against us, but no.” He takes my hands in his and holds on tight to me. “On Friday, I took a step I never thought I would, or could. I’m glad I did, but I’m being honest with you when I say it scares me half to death. What I’m trying to say is, I’m going to have to take it slowly, you and me and everything it might involve.”
His flush deepens, and it takes everything I’ve got not to push him on his back and kiss all his hesitation and shyness away. Oh yes, I intend to do that and a whole lot more…
“I want to get to know you better, Cosmo. I want to know what’s going on in your head and in your heart. I want us to discover each other.”
He wants to get to know me… I slot together the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle.
“You want to — date me?”
He nods. “If that’s what you want to call it, then yes, I want to date you.”
I swallow hard. He wants to date me. I don’t know what to say because it hits me like a fist in the chest. No man has ever wanted that of me. But Daniel does.
“Yes.”
One simple little word, shifting my universe.
“Yes. Date me, Daniel Russo. Date me.”
