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“I’d definitely recall if I’d said ‘I love you’ to any man. I haven’t. Ever.”
He leaned in, placed his hands to either side of her on his desk, trapping her beneath his gaze. “You don’t love me?”
Not meeting his eyes, she swallowed. “I—I…well…”
“Well, what?” He wasn’t going to let her off the hook. Not until she answered him. “It’s a yes or no question. Either you do or you don’t.”
She took a deep breath. “The point isn’t whether or not I love you.”
“Then you do love me?” His pulse hammered at his throat, beating him into a dizzy head spin as he waited for her to answer. Why was hearing her say the words so important?
“Quit twisting my words.”
“Quit being stubborn, and admit you’ve missed me as much as I’ve missed you.”
“Fine, I’ve missed you, but that changes nothing.”
Vale smiled. Finally he was making progress, was stepping behind that wall. “And you’ve thought about me?”
“I’ve thought about you.” Her chin lifted. “Occasionally.”
“In the mornings?” he pressed. “In the evenings? In the shower?”
“Vale, this is crazy,” she scolded, frowning, twisting free of where he had her pinned on his desk. She walked across his office, standing beside the long mahogany work table they’d spent many a night sitting at with data files spread out around them. “I’m pleading the Fifth.”
“Those who plead the Fifth are always guilty, Faith.” He stood, moved to just behind her, tempted to touch, but waited for a sign she’d welcome him.
“That’s not true,” she denied, her gaze narrowed.
“Sure it is.”
“Then answer me this—why do you want to marry me?”
“I’m not pleading the Fifth, if that’s what you’re expecting.”
“But you aren’t answering, are you?” she challenged, looking so sure of herself Vale had to slide his hands into his pocket to keep from taking her into his arms and kissing her stubborn mouth.
“I want to marry you so I can hold you in my arms every single night.”
Her eyes widened.
“I want to marry you so I can wake up and see you first thing every single morning.”
Her lips parted.
“I want to marry you so I can push up your skirt and make love to you any time I want, starting right now on the table you’re leaning against.”
“Oh.” She straightened from the table.
“I want to marry you so I can kiss away your tears and take you with me to family functions so you can protect me from my crazy family.”
Her fingers clenched and unclenched at her sides.
“But mostly, Faith, I want to marry you so I don’t ever have to be without you again. I want you to be mine.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
FAITH stood stock still, uncertain what to say or do.
