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“Yeah?” A tall, handsome, dark-haired man, about thirty years old, stepped from a back office.
“I need that folder you’ve been compiling. This is Kiera Donnelly.”
He smiled and stepped forward, his hand held out to shake. “In the flesh. Hello.”
“Hello. What does that mean, ‘In the flesh’?”
Luke’s eyes, which reminded her of freshly-brewed coffee, shifted to David.
“I’ve asked Luke to do some investigating. I’ll show you in my office.”
Luke nodded and stepped back into his office, and she and David continued to his. “Make yourself comfortable where ever you can. If you need to go downstairs and work on a drafting table, please do, and I’ll come and get you later. The building is secure.”
“No. I’m fine here.” She sat on the sofa and opened her drawing pad.
Luke entered the office after knocking once on the frame. He was carrying a file like the one she’d seen on David’s desk the first time she’d been here. Handing it to David, she noticed that he didn’t wear a wedding ring. He worked out to stay fit, and he was terribly polite.
“Stick around, Luke. We’ve got some digging to do on one Carleene Campisi.”
Luke whistled. “As in the Campisi family who owns a string of convenience marts across the United States?”
David looked into Luke’s eyes for a long time. Luke pointed to the file in David’s hands, “There’s a little bit in there on them. They owned the condo.”
He didn’t come right out and say it, but the slight nod in her direction gave away his meaning.
“You’ve been investigating me?” It came out like a combination between an accusation and a confirmation.
“Aah, I’ve been …” Looking to David, he froze.
“Kiera, I asked Luke to dig into your background a bit. You must know that someone in my position would want to know what happened to you.”
“I’ve told you what happened.” Her heartbeat doubled, and she felt light-headed. He’d never trusted her at all. She suddenly felt violated in some way. Her eyes landed on the folder still in his hand. “Is that it?”
“Yes.” He cleared his throat and held it out to her.
She bit her bottom lip but seemed stuck in place, not sure if she wanted to see what was in there and trying hard to understand his position. It felt like a stab in the back.
He laid it on the edge of the desk and turned to Luke. “I need income, background, residence, and any and all connections she has to anyone, business or personal.”
“Okay.” Luke’s eyes flicked to hers before he nodded and awkwardly stepped out of the room.
“You had to know or at least think I’d confirm your story, Kiera. I’m not an idiot, and I’m not naïve. I love you, but I’m not going to be stupid about it.”
Her pulse raced, and she felt the flush rush up her body, so many emotions whirling around in her body it made her dizzy. She opened her mouth to say something but nothing would come out. She stood and walked to him, her eyes never leaving his. As she rounded his desk, he turned in his chair facing her. Lip trembling and battling tears, she softly asked, “You love me?”
His perfect blue eyes, framed in thick dark lashes never wavered from hers. She watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed. “Yes.”
She dropped to her knees in front of him and wrapped her hands around his waist. He reached down and pulled her up onto his lap. She placed her hand on his jaw, her thumb lovingly smoothing over his bottom lip and cheek. “David. I’ve never stopped loving you. Never.”
She leaned in and kissed him, exhilarated when he kissed her back. His tongue eagerly dipped into her mouth, and she whimpered. He pulled her into him; then his hand trailed up her back to cup her head. Holding her firmly in place, his lips tasted hers. His tongue explored her mouth, and she explored his.
He pulled back and made eye contact with her. “I didn’t mean to just blurt that out. I said it without thinking, and I’m sorry it wasn’t more romantic, but, Kiera, I love you. I think I always have.”
Giggling, she hugged him tightly, inhaling his scent as she nuzzled his neck. “Thank God,” she whispered into his shirt.
“Now, I’m sorry to be further unromantic, but we’ve got some work to do. Beginning with that.” He pointed to the folder.
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