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“Hate does that. It destroys everything in its path, and you’re a builder, not a destroyer,” Rose insisted.
“Maybe I drove my wife into Del Roca’s arms. My entire focus was on saving the estate.”
“You did what you had to do. You and your wife were supposed to be a team, not individuals looking out for themselves. You saw the bigger picture—the people who depended on you and the land that needed nurturing. That’s not wrong. What you did was vital, or Del Roca would have laid waste to the land too.”
“I couldn’t allow my father’s life and work to count for nothing.”
“And you didn’t. You fought and won.”
“I’d be fighting now if things hadn’t worked out,” Dante admitted.
“But they did.”
Even a grim smile was better than no smile, Rose thought as she met Dante’s harsh stare. “You can move forward now.”
“We can both move forward,” Dante insisted.
Taking her face between his hands, he kissed her until Rose wondered if her heart could actually burst out of her chest. “It’s dawn,” she whispered when they finally broke apart. “Happy birthday.”
He took a long pause and then said, “Thank you.” And smiled. The wicked, wonderful smile she loved.
Diamond dewdrops were already glistening on the carpet of green in the thin gray light when Dante took her back in his arms. “A new day. A new start. It seems fitting, doesn’t it?”
They were both out the other side, Rose thought with relief as Dante’s eyes reflected the journey they’d taken together, as well as the road ahead.
“Perfectly fitting,” she agreed softly. “And no shadows allowed.”
Dante’s kiss was lingering and gentle. “I love you, Rose Delaney,” he admitted when he pulled back.
“You love me?”
“Unless this feeling that consumes me is something else?” he said with a frown. “Maybe it’s heartburn, or indigestion—”
“Stop,” she warned.
“Try this,” he said, keeping her close. “I can’t live without you. I don’t want to try. Maybe I don’t have to. Do I, Rose?”
“You love me?” she repeated, searching his eyes.
“I know—pity me,” Dante murmured dryly. “And more than anything,” he confirmed, “I’ve got it bad.”
“Because I’m unique in your experience, and you want to add to your collection of curiosities?” Rose suggested.
Dante laughed softly against her mouth. “You’re certainly a curiosity, and you definitely need lessons in romance.”
“Coming from you, I feel a real failure.”
“We’ll learn together,” he promised, turning serious.
“Just romance?” Rose’s heart was going crazy. It was as if she was in an alternate universe where all her wildest dreams came true.
“Full-fat, five-chili romance,” Dante promised.
“Now you have my attention,” she confirmed wryly.
“I want to sleep with you too—and I want to wake with you in my arms, and then—”
“And then?” she queried.
