Page 62 of Sorry Season

“And now—”

“That was then. This is now.”

He drew her to him gently, as if expecting a rebuff when all she wanted to do was fling herself into his arms and hope he’d never let go.

“I have so much to say to you,” she murmured, her heart thumping at the hope in his eyes.

“There’s plenty of time to get to all that.”

Anticipation buzzed through her veins as the lips she found infinitely fascinating drifted toward her, promising the future she hoped they’d have once he heard her out.

However, talk was the furthest thing from her mind as his lips brushed hers, once, twice, before crushing hers in a passionate, mind-blowing kiss, effectively obliterating everything but this moment, this man.

Pyrotechnics exploded in her head as he deepened the kiss, rockets and sparklers and pinwheels of sensation ricocheting through her, his tongue teasing hers, his hands everywhere, exploring, touching, caressing.

She’d dreamed of him, dreamed of this kind of kiss all through Europe, harboring a secret yearning her trip would miraculously change things for them, and she’d returned home ready to take a chance on forever.

It looked like she’d got both her wishes, though right now the kiss was taking precedence. But it couldn’t. She had too much to say to him.

On a soft sigh she broke the kiss, before burying her face in the crook of his neck and inhaling deeply, his subtle cedar scent filling her, soothing her weary soul.

“I guess we should get around to having that chat,” he said, smoothing her hair in a rhythmic, lulling motion that had her snuggling into him further. “Hey, you cut your hair.”

He pulled back, running his fingers through her chopped, layered locks, a bemused expression on his face.

“Took you long enough to notice.”

Her mock frown didn’t last as he rubbed several strands between his fingertips, the wicked glint in his eyes indicating his approval of her new look.

“It looks great.” He cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing her cheekbone, his tender expression conveying more than words ever could. “Youlook great.”

She could say the same about him but she’d never been one for understatement. He looked sensational, from the top of his wind-ruffled brown hair to the soles of his well-worn sneakers.

After spending months in Paris, Rome, Milan, and Venice, she’d been subjected to hot guys in designer clothes on a daily basis, but not one of those well-dressed, suave, European men could compare to the guy who made denim and a cotton T-shirt look like haute couture.

She captured his hand because his touch created havoc and she needed her wits about her. “I really have to talk to you.”

Wariness flickered in his eyes as he gripped her hand tighter.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere,” she said, as she slid onto the nearest bar stool and patted the one beside her.

“Does that mean now or ever?”

“That depends on you.”

To her surprise, he released her hand and propped against the bar rather than taking a seat, his serious expression sending her nerves into overdrive.

“You know how I feel, Cam, but I’m not going to push you anymore. You’ve had your time away. You’ve done what you had to do. And I’m still here. But this is it.” His lips compressed andhe shook his head. “I love you, but I’m not going to spend my life waiting around for someone who doesn’t love me enough in return. So why don’t you tell me what you’re thinking?”

Fair enough, but where did she start? In Europe, she’d mentally rehearsed this exact scenario a million times, yet now that her problem with a faulty alarm had turned into a golden opportunity with the man she loved, she was lost for words.

Reaching up to tug on her plait, she came up empty, and that’s when it hit her. She’d start with the hair and the rest would follow.

“I had a haircut in Rome. Exactly twenty minutes after I had an epiphany.”

He didn’t say a word and his raised eyebrow conveyed scepticism rather than interest in what she had to say.

“I was sitting in a piazza, drinking coffee, and I suddenly realized it didn’t feel right without you there. The whole trip felt wrong without you to share it with.”

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