Page 110 of Matchmaking the Rival

"I do. Deep down, I didn’t believe it, but...”

He took my hands in his, tilting toward me until our foreheads were almost touching. “I love you, woman. I realize I haven’t told you that before, but I plan to tell you every single day of my life. How can you doubt that?" He put his hands on my face. Immediately, I realized he was trying to warm up my ears with his thumbs. He remembered they always froze!

"And I love you, Cade. But we never spoke about what this is between us, or if we’re ready to commit.”

“I know I told you I've never done commitment in my life, but it's what I want with you. You are all I want for the rest of my life. I don't even remember who I was before you." He tilted even closer, and now our foreheads were touching in earnest.

I melted against him. I needed his heat, and all his beautiful words.

“You’re cold," he said.

"Just a bit."

In a flash, he unbuttoned his jacket and opened it so I could make even more contact directly with his body.

"Aren't you cold?" I asked.

"No. Don't doubt us again, Meredith."

"I'm sorry I did, but I was already on edge because of everything with Alfred, and when he said that, I just... I don't know. I'm sorry I left. I know it was an important evening for you, and you wanted us to celebrate it together."

He touched my jaw with his thumb, before touching my ear again. "You really are freezing."

"Just a bit," I admitted.

"We have the rest of our lives to celebrate together, babe. I love you so much.”

“I was so happy for you, so proud. I wanted to jump on that stage and then jump you." I chuckle. "Actually, no, I had a more elaborate plan in mind. I wanted to lure you somewhere quiet and jump you."

He grinned. "You can do that right now. I'm all yours to lure and jump and do whatever else you have in mind."

"I love you so much," I murmured.

"And I love you, too. I know this started out with a bang, and I can't promise that things will always be smooth sailing, but you and I, we’re a team, no matter what. Alfred was way off track."

"You don't need to explain. I understand. So, what do you want to do now?"

He wiggled his eyebrows. "Your choice."

"Well, since you so romantically arranged for them to open earlier for me, why don't we make a round?"

"That's not what I thought you were about to say."

I laughed softly. "But you've gone to all this trouble. Besides, this is hands down your most romantic gesture ever."

"I'm always happy to make you happy, Meredith,” he said as he took my hand, leading me back to the booths. "All right, you've got twenty minutes until the rest of the customers arrive. Go wild.”

When I told him this was the most romantic thing someone had done for me, I wasn't joking. I knew some dreamed about going to Bergdorf Goodman or another department store after closing time to have the place to themselves. All I wanted was the Christmas market. I already knew most of the booths, of course, but there were some new ones as well.

I bought garlands for my mom because I knew how much she wanted them, as well as treats for my sister. But I was antsy. Even though I loved being here, I wanted to look at everything at my own pace. I also wanted to be around Cade. I was yearning for it.

Once I bought my obligatory scarf and beanie, I turned to him and said, "I'm ready to go now."

He smiled lazily. "You only saw about half the booths."

"I know, but it's... Oh, I still have fifteen minutes. I did all of my shopping in five. Will you look at that?" I bounced up and down on my toes. "I guess I'm anxious to be alone with you."

"I thought you'd never say that. That's all I want."

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