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“My only mistake was thinking you had any sort of heart. You are worse than anyone I’ve ever met, and that is saying a lot. Wish you the best, you selfish old man.”
My body jumps when Victor slams the phone down on the counter. His words send me into a world of shock. I’m it for him? It’s one thing to speak in that manner with me alone, but to hear him proclaim it so adamantly brings my love for him to a whole new level. I peek around the corner to find him running his hands through his hair. His chest heaves as he attempts to take deep breaths. I have to admit I am standing between feeling honored and confident and feeling selfish, not in a good way.
Mimicking him, I take a few breaths to grasp my composure. I poke my head around the corner and squeak the question I need answered for reassurance.
“Is it true?” My voice hitches for the sake of being even more vulnerable.
Victor’s head snaps up, his eyes find mine, and I soften at his bewildered glance. “How much did you hear?”
“All of it.” I push my body past the corner, still not moving closer.
“I mean yeah, he thought I wasn’t on my game.” he shakes his head. “Which is true. He also didn’t take my resignation seriously.” Victor huffs a laugh. His hands rest on his hips as his head shakes.
“No, not about the job.” My hand covers my chest, trying to steady my rapid heart.
“Then what?” He genuinely seems confused. Pulling his hands from his hips, he rests them on the edge of the counter. Leaning his light, muscular body toward me.
“That I’m it for you?”
His eyes soften, and his tawny eyes glisten in the morning light. “I mean, yeah. I bought this house.”
“You did. But that’s not what I mean, and you know it.” I say. I lick my lips as my mouth waters as if I’m drowning in desperation. “But do you see a whole future with me? Long term? It’s one thing to say it to me, but it’s another to put it out in the world.”
He walks over to me, smiling his sexy smile. “I can’t imagine a life that doesn’t include you, Collins. Your sassy mouth and hard exterior only cover the selfless heart. I see who you truly are. So does everyone else.”
“What if I don’t want that?” I challenge him.
“Bullshit, you wouldn’t be here.” He cocks an eyebrow up as he playfully smirks at me. Fine, he wins. Check fucking mate on that one.
“Awe. As if you know me so well,” I throw a fake gasp.
He’s not wrong. I nod, and he takes my hand, guiding me to the outdoor seating area that overlooks the ocean. The modern and sleek white wooden table is decorated with rustic furnishings. A piece of dried driftwood sits on the other end of the table, surrounded by candles. I can imagine at night how the shadows will dance across the hollow crevices of the wood. Two plates with covers sit next to one another. Victor prances over and lifts the covers to expose one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
“Leo’s breakfast?” I recognize their food, but it’s the smell that catapults me into a world of memories.
“It’s not a picnic in bed, which is fun, but…”
“It’s perfect.” Releasing a deep breath, this whole feeling of being taken care of is so new to me. It still doesn’t feel real.
We sit down and dig in to eat our weight in food. My eyes dip between bites and then I look up at the most gorgeous man. The ocean waves crash onto the shoreline in the background. Its pattern matches my own breaths.
“So, what do we do now?” I ask. Desperately wanting to fill the quiet spaces of this moment. A reaction to calming the constricting anxiety of not having to worry. A feeling that will take time to get used to.
“I was thinking of hosting a dinner. I have a big announcement.” He speaks with a mouth full of food. He groans, shoving another forkful of food into his mouth. “God, this is so good!”
“Care to share?”
“If it’s okay, I’d like to tell you when I tell everyone else.” He swallows his food and drops his fork. A pang of apprehension crosses his face. He turns to me to explain. “I just need to hash out a few more details to feel confident about it all. And I’ve already told people to be here. We just need to go to the store.”
I study his face more closely to see that this part of him is new to me. For someone so confident, uncertainty must scare him. This is something he is trying to work out on his own. So, I’ll just go with it. “Okay.”
“You’re not going to fight me on this?”
I shake my head. “Not this. I’m trusting you.” I smile. “But don’t get used to it!”
He shakes his head and laughs as we finish our breakfast. Victor stands and collects both of our plates, taking them back to the kitchen. I follow along and help him clean up. When the last dish is dried and put away, he ushers us out the door.
He drives us to the store and I mindlessly follow him as he gathers a cartful of groceries. His hand finds mine every chance he gets.
