Page 16 of Santa Crush
"Oh."Her shoulders sagged with relief."So, we'd be boyfriend and girlfriend?"
"If that's the label you want to use."
"What label would you use?"
"Lovers.Partners.Significant others.I don't care as long as it's you and me."
"And you'll be okay with that?With people knowing we're together?"
"Of course.Why wouldn't I be?"
"We've talked a lot and I know you had all those reasons, you're too old, I'm too young, I work for you, for not doing anything about our attraction before this trip.But Asha."She took a deep breath and let it out slowly."I need you to know I understand those concerns and while I didn't,don't, agree with you I know I can't change the way you feel about them.I can only tell you I think they're not true obstacles to us being together."
"Okay.I hear you."He took a step closer and moved his hands to her cheeks, cradling her face gently in his warm palms."Now hear me and hear me good.I want to be with you.I want to go home and tell anyone who will listen that I finally got my head out of my ass and saw what—who—was right in front of me."
"This is not a fling for me."
"Me either."
Swallowing through a constricted throat she said words she hadn't even thought."I understand that but I'm not sure you can stop thinking those things stand between us this easily.And in spite of that, of all those reservations you have, I'm standing here asking you to love me anyway."
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"I'm standing here asking you to love me anyway."
Asha stood still, his hands palming Sarah's face, his eyes locked with hers, her words echoing in his head.
"I can do that."
And he could.He could love this woman until his last breath.He wasn't quite there yet but...
"I was half in love with you before this trip Sarah, and I've only gotten closer to all the way in love since we first stood in this room with you in nothing but a towel."
Her gaze bore into his.He saw the moment she believed him.And then he saw her smile."I know you wanted to take our time, get to know each other before we took things to the next level, but I want you to make love to me Asha.I want to know what it's like to be loved by you that way."
"Are you sure?I'm happy to wait?—"
"Get in the shower and wash that stink off.We're staying in."She gave him a shove toward the bathroom."We can order room service later."
He took the hint and ducked into the bathroom.
He'd planned to wait until they were back in Winter Lake before he moved them passed a few kisses to a deeper physical relationship.
Asha knew Sarah was serious about him—about them—but he feared the fact they were essentially trapped on a ship on the ocean and sharing a cabin they could be rushing.
Then again, they'd been moving toward this point for close to three years.He had to take her words, her wants, for what they were,hers.Even if he wanted to keep pushing the brakes so he could check she was okay with where they were, what they were doing.
He was protecting her.And by protecting her, he was protecting himself.
It was instinct, this need to take care of her.He'd never forgive himself if he hurt her in any way and he already had one failed marriage under his belt.A repeat would not be acceptable.Especially with Sarah.
Which meant he needed to be careful but also, he needed to be open.
He'd tell her his fears because he expected her to tell him hers.
"Are you in the shower yet?I don't hear the water running!"Sarah yelled as she banged on the door.
Chuckling, he stripped and stepped into the shower.Turning the tap with one hand, he grabbed a squirt of body wash with the other.Lathering up his hands he made quick work of washing away the days sweat and dirt.His cock was hard, had been the majority of the last two weeks but he ignored it and finished cleaning up.
