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She heard Cole move away from the door, and irrational disappointment hit. Moments later, however, she heard the click of a lock, and then the door was creaking open.
She stepped back and turned to face Cole. “Underhanded and sneaky.”
He pocketed a Swiss Army knife. “I learned to pick locks in the Boy Scouts.” Then he looked around the room. “We have to stop meeting this way.”
“We’re safe. The sofa is still onstage.”
Cole searched her face and then quirked his lips. “Depends on how you define safe.”
Marisa’s heart clenched. No, she wasn’t safe...and yet she
felt like she was home whenever she was near him. “Is there anything you do that doesn’t involve bulldozing?”
“Not if I’m going to continue to be the CEO of Serenghetti Construction.”
Her eyes went wide. “Is that what you want?”
He gazed at her and then slowly stepped forward, his look tender. He lifted her chin and brushed a thumb across her cheek. “I want you. Marisa, I love you.”
She parted her lips and sucked in a tremulous breath, her world tilting.
“I’ve never said those words to a woman before.” He glanced around the storage room before his gaze came back to hers. “And this isn’t the way I was envisioning things, but the word at the Puck & Shoot is that you told Sal you wouldn’t take him back. Give me a chance, sweet pea.”
“You’re leaving,” she said in a wobbly voice.
“No, I’m not. I’m not taking the job in Wisconsin. I’m staying here to run Serenghetti Construction.”
She rested her hand on his arm. “You were angry at me in high school because I interfered with your hockey dreams. I’m not going to make the same mistake twice.”
“You’re not,” he said affectionately. “I’ll be coaching here in Welsdale. I’ll be teaching teenagers who want to improve their game for a shot at a college scholarship or even the NHL.” He paused. “Because I know how life-changing those college scholarships can be.”
Her heart swelled. She adored this man.
“The more time I had to think about selling Serenghetti Construction, the more it didn’t seem right. I had to acknowledge that construction is in my blood.” He tilted his head. “Besides, I’ve got some ideas, including growing the business into a real estate development firm.”
Marisa smiled. “Face it, Serenghetti Construction is just another arena for you to be competitive. That’s why you were so set on winning over JM Construction. And who knows? The kids you’re coaching may give you another chance at a hockey championship.”
“Sometimes, Marisa, I swear you know me better than I know myself.” He brushed her lips with his.
“Hang on to that thought because I plan to be around a lot.” Cole was good, strong and hardworking. He also happened to be able to make her feel like the sexiest woman alive. He was the person she’d always been looking for.
“You’re marrying a construction guy.”
“Are you proposing?”
He twined his fingers with hers and raised her hand to his lips. “Damn right.”
“I’m ratting you out, Cole, and this time I don’t care who finds out.” Her voice grew husky with emotion. “I’m telling everyone that you confessed your undying love for me. That you proposed!”
He kissed her. “You forgot he can’t keep his hands off me, he talks dirty to me, and he gets hard just thinking about me.”
“That’s right.”
“I’m in love with you.”
“Good to know. I love you, too.”
She sighed, and he kissed her again.
