Burned(32)

“A few of us worked all night.”

He had wanted to ask her about the sudden secrecy, or do something to make sure she kept him at the front of her mind, but after hearing Sophie’s letter on top of her questions earlier in the morning, he’d had to put his daughter first. Vic had never strayed far from his thoughts though. With those thoughts had come images of what life with her could be like.

Fun.

Surprising.

Happy.

She was the woman who understood him and adored his daughter. She had been there when Sophie’s real mother hadn’t. She’d stood at his side when he had been investigated for Krista’s death and again when Jean Marie had died while rock climbing. She’d warned him of Krista’s dark side but hadn’t judged him for staying with the other woman.

More recently, and on a happier note, she’d surprised him with early morning coffee and amazing sex. She’d gotten him to laugh and driven him to distraction with public and musical torments. She’d worked alongside him on the stage and arranged for a popular country singer to headline at the festival. That last one couldn’t have been easy, given the short notice.

She’d pulled off his haunted pub to the last detail he’d envisioned and had kept it a surprise.

No one else could be more faithful day in and day out and never ask for something in return.

She’d shown him the true meaning of love in every touch and every action. She’d made him want everything and she made him feel brave enough to reach for it.

He crossed the few feet between them without rushing. When he reached her, he said nothing. Instead he swooped her off her feet and carried her to the back stairs that led to his apartment.

After he’d gotten her undressed and tucked into his bed, he crawled in behind her. Surprised the urge to make love to her wasn’t snapping at him as her warmth wrapped around him, he gathered her close. They were going to have ample chances for sex.

Tonight, knowing she hadn’t slept much in the last week, and that Sophie was safe with his parents, he wanted to take care of her. He wanted to sleep with Vic and wake up beside her.

“You are an amazing woman with the biggest heart I have ever seen,” he whispered against her hair, loving the feel of her curled against him. “I have no idea what I did to deserve you.”

“Hauk?” She turned over so she was facing him. “What—?”

He leaned in and kissed her. Slowly, tenderly, he hoped to convey his feelings with the caress. To make sure she didn’t misunderstand anything, he broke the kiss and backed up enough to see her eyes. Resting a hand on her cheek, he rubbed her cheekbone with his thumb and smiled.

“I never would have imagined I could feel this way about a woman. About a friend. It’s more than…” He wasn’t doing this right. “I haven’t shared my bed with anyone for…a really long time. It’s been even longer since I shared my heart.”

“Hauk.” Her voice cracked a little.

Smiling, he kissed her again. “I love you, Vic. More than I have ever loved you as a friend. More than anyone could ever love you.”

Smiling as her eyes softened with exhaustion, she kissed him. When she spoke it was with a slight slur. “I love you.”

The next part was a little harder, it had his heart pounding again, but he wasn’t stopping. The moment she’d landed in his arms, so had the truth his parents had spent years pointing out.

Women didn’t die because he loved them. Krista and Jean Marie had been horrible accidents. Vic… He’d loved Vic for years, though he hadn’t recognized it, and she was still around.

“Do you love me enough to become a more permanent part of my life? Mine and Sophie’s?”

“I would love that, but are you sure you want to risk it?”

Only she would ask that when getting proposed to. He knew how to put her concern to rest. For once, he had the perfect words in mind. “I’ve been wondering a lot lately what you would do to the dynamic of my family.”

“And?” She wiggled deeper into the bed. Closer to his body.

“And I know you are the perfect mom for Sophie, but mostly you are the perfect woman for me.”

Her lips curled against his chest. Her breath blew warm. “Even if you did call me an idiot.”

“I’ll call you one again if you ever pull a stunt like that without me around.”

“Hauk.” She kissed him. Once. Softly. “I love Sophie. But I adore you. I would love to become a part of your family.”

“Good.” He kissed her as she had him. Once. Softly. “I just have one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“No more ladders or hanging from rafters.”