Page 120 of Torrid Love
“Nah, nothing nearly as sordid. It’s a little memento for when I need a shot of your heady scent.”
“Unbelievable,” she shakes her head.
Her beautiful blue sparkling eyes smile at me, reminding me how much of a lucky bastard I am to call her mine.
I wrap my arms around her, pulling her little body closer to mine.
“Three and a half days sounds like an eternity,” I say.
Her hands drape around my neck, and she drops her head against my chest. “I’ll miss you so much, Rod,” she says.
I meant to parrot her words, but this flies out of my mouth instead, “I’m in love with you, Dom.”
I’ve made peace with the fact my recurring heart palpitations have little to do with the threat of a heart attack, but everything to do with something so new and so profound, I hesitated to put it into words until now.
She pulls away from me, her eyes wide as her jaw drops open. “You— What?” She squeezes her eyes shut and opens them again. “Rod? Really? No way.”
Her flushed cheeks are so endearing.
This is unexpected for both of us.
I lean in and brush my lips against hers. “I’m in love with you,” I repeat.
“Oh, my God, Rod.” Tears swell in her eyes. “I think I’m going to pass out,” she says fanning her face with her hands. “Is this really happening?”
“Believe it, baby.”
I wipe away the few tears trickling down her beautiful face.
“Stupid tears,” she laughs, embarrassed.
“I’m in love with your stupid tears and every part of you,” I tell her. “You’re the only woman I’ve loved other than Nana. Every guy in my entourage knew you were off-limits. Protecting you was a vow I took so seriously, I locked you away in the friend zone. You were untouchable, even to me. I don’t know when it happened—probably well before you left for your training, which would explain why things were so weird between us—but I’m tired of denying it. You stole my heart, Dom.”
“I’m so in love with you,” she says quietly, “I didn’t know what to do with myself before leaving LA. I was so afraid my growing feelings would change our relationship. I was scared it would push you away if it wasn’t mutual. It took me by surprise, but loving you is the best feeling in the world.”
“Same here, baby.” I place a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose.
I never thought I could love someone this much, but I do. She’s right. It’s a pretty amazing feeling.
CHAPTER 26
Roderick
I just got back from LAX. Neither Dom nor I were looking forward to her departure. Saying goodbye to someone has never felt this cruel. We made promises to text and call each other every day, but we know it won’t compare to hanging out on my deck after dinner, catching up on the highlights of the day. For years I was content falling asleep alone in my king size bed. I doubt it’ll be the case in the coming days.
I stroll back to my office carrying a plate with two cookie and cream donuts in one hand and a latte in the other. Since meetings ate up my morning and Dom is away, I decided to work later tonight.
“There you are,” Marissa says when she sees me.
“I just got back.”
“You have a visitor,” she says approaching me. “A very, very, very charming one.”
“Aren’t you married?”
“Happily so, but it doesn’t mean I’m blind,” she tells me. “Not to mention when a man is as observant as your visitor, it perks a girl’s ears.”
I frown. “You lost me.”
