Page 104 of near

I’m only vaguely aware of Elijah following right after, a string of curses leaving his lips. We stay locked together after he puts down my leg, both breathing heavily.

The whirlpool bubbles around us.

“I love you.” He presses soft kisses across my shoulders.

I suck in a sharp breath, my pulse racing as I glance back at him. We’ve never directly addressed our feelings, both too cautious. But his stormy eyes say everything I’ve been too afraid to hope for.

“I love you too… Mr. Milton.”

Our lips meet in a tender kiss.

“Can you repeat that, Mrs. Milton?”

“Mrs. Milton? Did I miss something?”

“I like the sound of it.”

I like it, too.

“And my father already thinks you are. So…”

“Your father was really nice.”

“Is he? He tricked you.” Elijah sits back down in the whirlpool and pulls me into his arms.

“What?”

“The name he said. Julia, or what it was. Didn’t you wonder why it wasn’t Esther?”

No. No. Way to make an impression.

“That’s so embarrassing.”

“Don’t be embarrassed, little gem,” Elijah murmurs, his fingers trailing down my arm. “My father sees more than most. If anything, you should feel flattered.”

“Flattered that your father thinks I’m a liar?”

“That you made such an impression on him. Trust me, that’s not an easy feat.” His expression grows somber. “Especially lately, with his health declining.”

My heart clenches, remembering the frail but sharp man I’d met at the hospital.

“He seemed happy that day. We should visit him again soon.”

“All he’s ever wanted was for me to settle down. To have someone to share my life with. See me happy.” His eyes meet mine, gleaming with unspoken meaning. “I think deep down he knows, or at least suspects, how I feel about you.”

I twist around in his embrace. “Are you happy?”

“More than I’ve been in a very long time.”

My heart flutters at the sincerity in his voice. I lean up and brush my lips over his. “Good.”

We share a lingering kiss. I could stay here in his arms forever.

“By the way, I think the neighbors heard you screaming,” he says.

“Don’t get too smug. I seem to remember you making some noises yourself.”

Elijah tips up my chin. “Marry me.”

---