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Good thing, since this was where he made his case. “And all the while, you were here too, in the background. We were friendly, but I was too blind to notice. I could kick myself for that, but it wouldn’t change anything. Maybe I just wasn’t ready to see.”
“Just like I wasn’t ready,” she whispered.
He nodded, holding her against him, breathing in her sweet scent and wishing he could forget the conversation and take her to bed. But at this moment, talk came first. Afterward? He hoped they never had to be apart again.
“But then...”And here’s where it got tough, Nick thought. “Faith came back and... the feelings didn’t.” He eased her away then and looked into her eyes. “Honest to God, Kate. Asking Faith out just seemed like the thing to do, to see if we could pick up where we left off. Maybe fix the old ego or something. And when Ethan went after her, it became more of a pissing contest than anything else. I’m not proud of it, but that’s the truth.”
***
Kate studied Nick.She let herself look at his features, which she’d long since memorized, and into his eyes, which she knew now never lied. Real regret shone in them. He meant what he said. It wasn’t about Faith. It hadn’t been for a long, long time. And though Kate thought she knew that before he rang her doorbell, it felt good to hear him say the words.
But there was still more they had to get out into the open. No more holding back the things that scared or hurt her.
“You kissed Faith.”
He nodded. “I did. I needed to prove to myself that there really was nothing there for me. So I could walk away, leave her to Ethan, and not be hurt by it. Ego, pure and simple.”
Kate shook her head, amazed at the lightness inside her. “Men are such idiots,” she muttered, and with a laugh, he agreed.
“But that kiss was a good thing because from that point on, it wasn’t about Faith. It was about me opening my eyes to what’s been in front of me all along. It’s you, Kate. It’s been you for a long time, and I don’t want you to ever doubt that it willalwaysbe you.”
The word hung between them, an enticement and an offer of something she’d been too scared to let herself hope for.
But this was Nick, and he was different from any man she’d ever known. And hadn’t he proven it? Sort of like the house he’d lovingly built and restored over time, putting thought and work into the effort, he’d done the same with her. Asking her out, not giving up or taking no for an answer, talking Faith into bringing her over, and now laying himself emotionally bare. For her.
“And I don’t see that changing,” he said and kissed her firmly on the lips. “Ever. I love you, Kate. If I wasn’t such a guy, I’d have known it and told you last night, but I realized it the first time I woke with you in my arms.”
She sucked in a startled breath, blindsided by the last few minutes, awed, and so very happy. “I love you too,” she admitted, grateful to finally be able to say the words out loud. “And I’m sorry I ran this morning. I was scared, so I pushed you away before you could do it first.”
“That never would have happened.”
She laughed out loud. “Lesson learned. I promise.”
He crooked a finger her way. “Sweetheart, come here.”
She didn’t have far to go, and she was in his arms where she belonged, kissing him until they tumbled backward onto the couch.
“Just so you know, I’m not letting you get away from me again.”
“Sounds good to me.” She sighed, unable to believe she could be this happy.
“I know things have gone from zero to the speed of light, and we probably should take things slow, but I’m hoping you love me and my house enough to consider moving in one day?”
“Oh my God!” Could her heart fill any more? She stroked a hand down his cheek. “If we don’t kill each other in the next phase of whatever this is, I think that could be arranged.”
Nick grinned, and Kate knew that no matter how hard the road was in getting here, she and Nick were definitely meant to be.
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KARMA EXCERPT
Dare Barron heardthe commotion in the police station earlier as his least favorite offender was brought in on a drunk and disorderly charge. Dare had been out on a nuisance call when the man had gone before a judge at the courthouse next door, but he was back now, in the cell downstairs.
Dare glanced at his watch, wondering how long beforeshecame to bail her brother out. Every time McKnight got himself in trouble, his older sister, Liza, was never far behind to clean up his mess. McKnight was a rich bastard who thought his family money entitled him to special privileges.
