Page 57 of Sizzling Nights

"I'm more purple than you."

She smiled. "It looks good on you though. You look all manly and primitive."

He chuckled. "Okay. I've never been called that before."

"Oh, I'm your first?"

He grinned. "You're first for a lot of things, Babe. I've never said I love you to anyone before. You were the first person I’ve barged into a woman's bathroom for. Attending a charity ball was another first. And I've never stayed in a cabin more secure than the White House before. I've done all of those with you."

She sat up. Some of her muscles argued but it wasn't terrible. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders because she didn't want to hurt him anywhere. "Thank you. I really do love you too. I think I have for months, but I didn't think we could ever be together, so I held back."

He grinned. "I'm glad that changed. I think I've loved you from afar for a long time too. But you kept yourself aloof and I didn't know why. I'm glad that changed too."

She lightly touched the skin around his purple eye. It was warm to the touch. "Except for this big bad boy."

"I'd do it again."

She kissed him gently. Neither of them was in any physical condition to make love. Hopefully soon though.

"Drink your coffee and enjoy your macarons. I'm making breakfast."

"Okay. I'll be out soon."

She watched him leave the room. Nice view. She picked up her coffee cup and sipped the hot delicious liquid as she nibbled the macrons. Thinking about all that had transpired in this past week, her head whirled. She never would have thought all these changes would have happened in a week's time. But she wasn't sorry. About any of it. Well, except Mitch's car and the Sandbar suffering a Molotov. And of course, she was sorry anyone was killed, but they were bad men doing bad things. Every time she thought about how close she came to being in their custody, her blood ran cold.

She pulled back the covers and stepped from the bed. Her sweatpants and T-shirts were in the dresser. She quickly dressed, picked up her plate and coffee cup, and carried them to the kitchen. As she passed the sofa and her pitiful-looking dress she stopped a moment and stared at the damage. She wondered if it could be repaired.

There were rips at the bottom and one at the waist. The sugary drink that was spilled on it stained the front. The glittering stones all over the dress now looked like sad little rocks. Their glimmer had dimmed.

Marco came to stand behind her. He took the empty plate from her hand and whispered. "It's just a dress."

"I know. But I felt so pretty in it. And we didn't get to dance last night. I felt like a princess with her prince. Now it looks like the princess partied too hard and my prince is bruised and battered."

He kissed the top of her head. "You're always pretty. The most beautiful woman I've ever known."

She chuckled. "Right."

His left arm snaked around her waist and pulled her back to his body. "I would never lie to you about that. You're gorgeous. And one day, we'll dance. I promise."

She smiled and rested her head against his chest. "Thank you."

He chuckled. "Breakfast is ready, Baby."

He stepped away and the minute he did, she felt alone. She fell harder and harder for Marco every day. She was a goner for him.

She sighed and turned toward the kitchen just as Marco set a plate in front of her stool. That made her chuckle. They'd been here four days and now that was her seat.

Marco carried a plate to his stool, and they sat to eat. Today's menu was crepes. Cream cheese and strawberries. Goodness, she'd need to begin working out again if he continued to cook like this for her. She never ate this much when she lived alone. She'd grab something at work or home, something super simple, like half a sandwich or some fruit.

"This is delicious Marco."

He grinned. "Thank you. I noticed at the Sandbar, you used to devour these."

"You noticed that?"

"Babe. I noticed everything about you."

"Did not."

---