Page 78 of Trouble Me
Shane tapped his fingers on the counter, his eyes never leaving her face. “I came to talk to you, Emma. There are things to say.”
She tossed the towel on the counter beside her and crossed her arms. “I think we’ve said all we need to say. What more could you possibly have to say to me?”
“A few things, actually. But first, let me respond to your emails.” He shifted in the chair and pulled out two folded documents from his back pocket. “This one?” Shane opened the flaps, read it for a moment and then turned it to her. It was her resignation letter. He ripped it in half once, then twice, letting the ripped paper flutter to the counter.
Her eyes widened. “Shane—”
He held up a hand. “I don’t accept it. And I have something to say before I answer the next one. Do I have your attention?”
She swallowed hard. “You have my attention.” Her whole body went cold at the thought of what he would say next.
“I love you, Emmaline Rose Reynolds. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
Her lips parted and the blood rushed to her head, making her sway slightly. “Since when?”
“Since always.”
Emma looked away, but kept her arms crossed. He’d stunned her with his admission and while she wanted to run the streets of Madison Ridge square screaming how much she loved him, she had to know for sure. “I don’t—”
Shane slid off the stool and made his way around the counter toward her. His pace was slow, deliberate, and the thought of being the prey to his predator ran through her mind again. Just as it had the first time she met him.
“The first time I saw you, you were standing in nearly the same spot you’re in right now.” His eyes traveled down her body and back up again as he advanced on her. Her skin flushed under the uniform she wore and she automatically took a step back as he moved forward. “In the same peach uniform. My life hasn’t been the same since. And I’m damn glad for it.”
Her back hit the counter behind her and all at once he was in front of her, so close his body heat radiated to her. She had to lean her head back to look into his eyes that rooted her to the spot. “Emma, I’m crazy about you. I’m sorry for lying and hurting you. I never intended for any of that to happen. Please believe me.” He ran a fingertip along her exposed collarbone, sending a shiver along her skin. “I would be lying if I said I could live without you. I’d be alive, but I wouldn’t be living.”
Emma was officially speechless. Love and desire filled his impossibly blue eyes. When she finally found her voice, she said, “I’m sorry that I wasn’t more upfront with you about my past. I never wanted to hurt you either. Because I love you too, Shane. And it scares me just how much I do.”
He smiled and pushed a wisp of hair behind her ear. His knuckles grazed the skin beneath her earlobe, causing her body to tingle. “You scare me, too. Now,” he reached over and tapped a finger on the folded papers. “About this deal.” Shane laid his hands on the counter on either side of her hips and leaned in close. The scent that was Shane and the piney aroma of his soap surrounded her and drowned out the diner smells that permeated the air. “If KVN buys your house, there is one condition.”
“What’s that?” She held her breath.
He pinned her with a look. “You have to move in with me into the cabin I’m buying. That’s non-negotiable.”
Her brows lifted in surprise. “You bought a cabin in Madison Ridge?”
He nodded, his eyes soft with love. “I bought our cabin. The one we made our own without knowing it.” He grinned. “I made the owner an offer he couldn’t refuse.”
“So...” Emma stopped and swallowed, worried if she made any sudden moves, the dream would shatter and she’d be alone in the diner. “You’re moving to Madison Ridge?”
“Yep.” He glanced over his shoulder and out the windows with a slow nod. “I like it here. It reminds me of Napa in a lot of ways, but without all the baggage that's there for me now. The people have kinda grown on me too.” He turned his head back and looked down at her, a slow, sexy smile spreading across his face. “Not to mention there’s a woman here who has managed to take my heart. And I’ve recently learned she’s not going to give it back to me so easily. I’ve also learned I have no desire to get it back from her.” He lifted her hand and placed it on his shirt over his heart. “My heart is yours, Emmaline. Always and forever.”
“And my heart is yours, Shane.” Tears of joy coursed down her cheeks as Shane wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to him. One hand cupped her face, his thumb sweeping away the waterworks.
“No more tears, baby.”
“No more tears.” She nodded and smiled as his lips descended on hers. He kissed her with an intensity that was fueled by all the love and desire that existed between them.
Shane pulled back and looked into her eyes with a smile. The bright blue in his eyes reflected all the love that filled her own. “You showed me what it really means to love someone. I love you in ways I didn’t know anyone could love. Will you trouble me for the rest of my life, Peaches?”
Her grin was so big, her face ached.
“Only if you promise to trouble me for the rest of mine.”
