Page 124 of Chasing Caine

She composed herself and her smile slowly re-emerged. “Well, I guess that’s settled, isn’t it?”

“Would you prefer we talk about the weather?”

“What’s the first thing you want to do when you get home?” She pulled her frozen dinner over and resumed eating.

“I’m assuming you mean after I’ve kissed you, held you, and made love to you for three days straight?”

Covering her mouth, she spluttered, “Three days?”

“You booked two weeks off, sì?”

“I did, but I may need some food before the first three days are up. I was thinking more like we should go to Caruthers.”

“Together? Or shall we meet at the bar? And I can try to pick you up again?”

“Maybe I’d even let you introduce yourself this time.”

“Would you say yes if I asked you out?”

“I don’t know. See, I’ve got this boyfriend I’m kind of fond of...”

“Kind of fond of?”

“Very fond of?”

“We’ll have to work on that.”

She scrunched her nose. “Does that mean more talking about our feelings?”

“There will be a great deal of talking about our feelings once I’m home in Michigan.”

“Ugh. You sure you don’t want to stay in Naples longer?”

“Not a chance. I love this city and this job, but I’d rather be wherever you are.”

She stared out from the screen, eyes still not quite on mine. From smile to frown, finally to downcast eyes. I couldn’t feel her heart beating against my chest or hear her breath change, but I still understood.

“Samantha, look at me.”

Her head shook, but she looked up through her eyelashes, jaw tight.

“I love you. Stop doubting that. I’m a grown man who makes his own choices and my choice is you. In some ways, it’s been you for eleven years, and will continue being you for as long as you’ll have me.”

The jaw relaxed, and her face rose with a soft smile. “I know.”

“And it will even be you as long as it takes for you to figure out you love me, too.”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t deny it.

It was just words. Words I wanted to hear, but patience was the key to her heart. Her fears were still in the way, but we had a lifetime to work on that together.

Because she loved me as deeply as I loved her.

And eventually, she would admit it to both of us.

THE END