Page 90 of Fresh Canvas
“It’s a receipt. I bought you my couch.”
Either sleep still fogged my brain, or Val made zero sense. “You bought meyourcouch?”
Val smiled sheepishly. “Technically, I bought you thissamecouch. I know you said you didn’t need one, but I wanted you to have one at your place too.” He bit his lip in an almost unrecognizable mannerism. In contrast to his usual collected demeanor, the man beside me was nearly quaking.
My heart was replaced by a glowing, cozy fire.
“I… I don’t know what to say.”
That I feel so special?
That I never want to leave?
That I think I’m falling in love with you?
“That was so thoughtful.”
“You’re welcome. I hope it’s not too much,” he said.
I shook my head, overcome with the impossible task of finding words that fit how I felt.
“It’s perfect. Really, Val. Thank you so much.” That wasn’t evencloseto how I felt, so I decided to abandon words entirely. The soft kiss I pressed to his mouth spread down to my toes.
A contented sigh crossed Val’s lips as they met mine, his hands coming up to frame my face. After a long, languid kiss, he pulled back, eyes the color of warm melted chocolate.
How had this gem of a man been hiding—or rather, sulking—in plain sight this whole time?
Val took my small hands in his warm ones. “Amantha, I want to say… I know I’m not great with words, but I hope you know how much you mean to me. I think I’m starting to… Well, I care about you very much.Verymuch.”
The sincerity of those words melted me into a puddle that entirely belonged to him. One that would never—no,couldnever—belong to anyone else.
I knew, without a doubt, that I was in love with Val Russo.
The fact was terrifying and exhilarating.
Panicked, but peaceful.
I didn’t know how all these emotions could coexist, but Val’s calming presence somehow made it possible.
Through not trying to please Val, I had found a piece of myself again. He had been a conduit. A steady, reliable handassisting in my journey to reclaim my identity. There was no way I could ever thank him enough.
Perhaps giving him my love would be a start.
“You don’t know how much that means to me,” I whispered. “I know when allthisstarted, we tried not to think too hard and just see where this went…”
Val’s chest froze, his breath held with the captive strength in which he held my gaze.
“But that’s the thing, Val. All I’ve beendoingis thinking. I can’t stop thinking about you. All the time.” I bit my lip, my next words terrifying to admit, though I’d never wanted to say anything more. “I’m pretty sure I’m falling for you. Hard.”
My heart stopped as Val captured my chin, his blazing eyes impossibly closer. His whisper was a caress.
“That is by far one of my favorite things these lips have ever said.” He traced the curve of my trembling mouth with his thumb.
“What are the other phrases?” My breathy laugh shook with anticipation. “Shut up, Russo?”
“Oh, most definitely.”
The tender passion in his fiery kiss stoked a flame that could never be snuffed out. Unspoken understanding flowed between us.
