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“I’m here. I’m ready. I’m yours.”
A smile breaks on his face, broad and proud, like he just reached the summit of a mountain he’s been scaling. I feel it all the way in the center of my heart.
“Then, let’s start right now.” He pulls me into his arms for a hug and I let myself lean on him. I nestle against the soft cotton of his shirt and just savor the feeling of being safe and loved.
“I have to go back to New York.” I break the silence.
“I know you do.”
“I have to sell my place. Bianca needs to finish out the school year…” I look up at his face to see if he looks as worried as I feel about a potentially prolonged separation.
His expression is completely relaxed. His eyes, with their thick fringe of lashes are smiling into mine. “Don’t worry, Kal. We’ve got this.”
“I know. I just don’t know when I’ll be able to get back to Houston.”
He shakes his head. “I have some business to take care of here. I might need a week or so. But until you’re able to move, I’ll be wherever you are.”
Surprise rises in happy effervescent bubbles in my chest. “Really?”
“Yes. I can work from anywhere. I don’t have any court appearances on my schedule and if I do, I’ve got a plane that can take me to Houston and back in a day. I’m not prepared to spend that kind of time apart again.”
“But… my place, it’s so small and Bianca—” I stammer as I race through the logistics of his plans.
“I’ve got a suite at the Baccarat. It’s going to be fine.” He strokes my arms reassuringly.
“I’m so excited. Oh, Remi. Thank you.” I reach up to stroke the strong, sharp line of his jaw. He drops his head and presses a kiss to my mouth.
It’s amazing, that in the gamut of extreme emotions I’ve run the last two days, that in the sanctuary of his arms, all I feel is peace.
“It’ll give us the chance to do what we’ve never really done before.”
“What’s that?”
“Date. I want to take you to dinner. Go see a show. Walk you home and kiss you good night on your doorstep. Send flowers to your office. All of the things I thought I’d spend my twenties doing.”
I’m overcome with happiness, I cover my mouth and squeal behind it.
“I’ll take that to mean you like the sound of that?”
I nod. “I love the sound of it.”
The way my heart flutters in my chest almost tickles, and I laugh as happiness bubbles inside of me.
“Okay. I’m going home,” he says abruptly
“Wait. What?” I rise up on my knees and grab his arm to stop him from putting on his socks.
“I want to do this right. Your daughter is here. I’d rather see her again for the first time when I’m coming to take her and her mother to breakfast. I want to win her over, too. Show her what it looks like when a man loves a woman. So, yeah. I’m going home.”
He leans down to kiss me. I clutch his waist and say a silent prayer of thanks.
“So, we’re good?” he asks when he breaks the kiss.
“Yes. I love you. Like my life depends on it. With no limits. But, you have to bear with me. I was married for all of those years, but I’ve never really had a partner. I’ve always been by myself.”
“Not anymore. And as long as I’m alive, you won’t be again.”
Be still my beating heart. This magnificent man is mine.
