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He stares into my eyes as he thinks it through. “I would love to have you here all the time. And we do need more time together.” He takes a deep breath, his desire obviously warring with his thoughts. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“I’m sure. I want to do this.” I rub my thumb across his hand. “If things don’t work out between us, I simply return to my life and start again, like I would’ve had to do anyway. I won’t have lost anything. As it stands, we have everything to gain and nothing to lose.”
He brushes the hair out of my eyes then delves his hand into my hair. “I don’t want to hurt you.” The tensing of his jaw shows me how concerned he is over this issue.
“Whatdoyou want?” My entire being fills with dread as I await his answer.
Something intense flares in his eyes. He takes a step closer, so close it feels like he’s touching every inch of me.
“Let’s get this all out in the open, okay? First let me tell you what Idon’twant. I don’t want to see you face anymore heartbreak. I don’t want you to put your hopes and dreams on the back burner for me. I don’t want you to feel resentment toward me. And most of all, I don’t want to lose you.”
My breath hitches in my throat. I wasn’t expecting that.
He goes on, his gaze riveted on mine. “WhatdoI want? I’ll tell you, and I won’t hold back. Prepare yourself. I want you to stay here at Sheridan House, and I want to spend every single second possible with you. I want our relationship to become the most important thing to both of us. I want to kiss you every day for the rest of my life. Multiple times a day. I want my future to include you. In essence, I want…you.”
I’m speechless—and so pursued I think my heart just swelled in my chest.
He surprises me by continuing. “It’s far too early to say these things—or even think these things. That’s why we need time together, to see if what we’re feeling is real. If working here is what you want to do with your life, then I’m absolutely willing to go along with it. But if you feel forced or trapped, then I’m not okay with it, and things will have to change. It won’t mean we’re over, it will just mean we can’t see each other as often as we’d like. Okay?”
This can’t be real. He’s too perfect. “Will you pinch me?”
“What?” His head rears back.
Hey, there were dumber things I could’ve said. “Because I think I must be dreaming right now.”
Tossing all inhibition out the window, he picks me up and twirls me around in a circle several times. His deep laugh invades every cell of my body.
“You always surprise me, Marin. I never know what’s going to come out of that beautiful mouth of yours.”
“You’re not the first person to say that.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
“There’s just one problem,” I mention as he sets me down. He locks eyes with me, the way he often does. I’m learning it’s his way. He’s a man who has nothing to hide. I appreciate his brutal honesty. Afteryou know Blu who, I need a man like him.
He strokes my cheek with one hand. His gentle touch sends my pulse racing. “Whatever it is, I’ll solve it.”
That’s Slade. I imagine life with him will always be good because he’ll conquer the world for me.
I hate to be trivial and ruin the moment. But there is a pressing matter. “Here’s the thing. I don’t know what you pay, but I’m pretty sure I can’t afford to stay in my guest room while I’m working here.”
One of his hands swats the air. “Not a problem. You can stay with me and Joss. I have three bedrooms in my home. One is empty, and it has your name on it.”
I swear my smile spreads from ear to ear. I get to be a part of his life. To have dinner with Joss and Slade every night. To join them during their nightly game. I don’t know how it happened, but somehow I have intertwined myself in their lives. I can’t imagine being anywhere else. This is where I belong. I feel it in my bones. I have a new life. It’s amazing and promising and exciting.
“Should I move in today?” My voice shakes with excitement.
Slade doesn’t answer right away. I’m learning he’s a man who thinks things through before he speaks. When he’s being serious, that is. “If you want. My personal opinion is you need the rest of your vacation. I’d rather not interfere with your original plans to take this time for yourself.”
I deflate a little. “Don’t you need me to start working right away?”
“No, actually. Joss’s father is on his way as we speak. He’s filled in here a few times for me when I needed to be with Mom during cancer treatment. I pay him, of course. He’s had some financial trouble and appreciates the extra income. He and Joss enjoy working together, too.”
I process this new information. “I assumed you were Joss’s only family.”
“No, she grew up here as well. Her mother had multiple sclerosis and needed round-the-clock care. Then the accident happened, and her father couldn’t take care of both his wife and daughter at the same time. Finances were tight and…”
“That’s when you stepped in.” He impresses me constantly.
