“I just want you.” He bent forward, making his lips tickled her earlobe when he whispered. “I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want Clara to have a mom, maybe brothers and sisters.”

Her mouth gaped open. He stepped back and held out his palm. “Take my hand. Literally, figuratively, however you’ll take it.”

“I…” She couldn’t rationalize what was happening.

“I’m praying that you love me. Do you?”

“Yes,” she said on an escaping breath. Too quiet. Too easy.

“Say it. Right now. I need you to tell me.”

Mouth agape and unsteady on her feet, she remained mum. This was a bad idea. Soon as she said it, she wouldn’t be able to stop saying it.

“You have to say something, doll. Might as well tell me whatever the truth is.”

She took a long, deep breath. The truth. She loved him more than any woman should love a man. Her mind traveled at warp speed. Words jumbled in her brain. So many things wanted to come out at once that she couldn’t get them in order.

He stiffened and turned away. “Got it. Never mind. I’ll just slide my ass out of here.”

His boots clunked hard on her floor, heading toward the front door. What was happening? Wait, no. This was all wrong.

“Colby, stop.”

He did, but didn’t turn. Instead, he leaned against the wall.

She couldn’t breathe. Her mind was swimming. There was a very plausible possibility she might pass out. It was too much to take in. “I’m not losing you again.”

He pivoted a slow turn toward her but stayed put.

“I do love you. I love you so much it hurts, and I can’t breathe.”

He was on her in a second, pressing her against the wall, his hot mouth possessing hers. He pulled back.

“Doll, don’t ever take that long to say I love you again.” Then he leaned into her again, brushing his lips over her neck.

“I love you, Colby.”

He smiled. She couldn’t see it, but she could feel his cheek and lips pressed against her skin. “So you do need to pack.”

“I do?”

“You do. You’re coming home with me.”

“I love you.”

“You’re answering every question like that?” Genuine adoration poured off him, making her all the more certain she would.

She nodded, smiling and laughing.

“That’ll work.” He pulled her toward the front door. “Didn’t you once say something about wanting a dog?”

Now a bigger smile. “I love you.”

“Then a dog it is.”

EPILOGUE