"Daniel has offered me the opportunity of a lifetime. But I feel I can't be happy unless you are."
Katherine let out a couple of soft crying sounds. It was breaking Daniel's heart, but he knew he couldn't interrupt; it wasn't his place.
"Katherine, you have gone your entire life trying to please everyone but yourself. You should be in love, happy, enjoying your youth. You have to give yourself permission to be happy. I know this Daniel guy really loves you. I could see it in his eyes when he was in here, and I could see it in his eyes when he was looking for you at the bar."
"Uncle Andy, we're just friends. Daniel needs to be with someone who has their act a little more together than I do. All I am is a burden."
"Do you love him, Katherine?"
"I really like him. He's not the type of guy I thought he was. He has a really good heart, and he's very kind to me."
"Do you love him?"
"The whole time I was gone, I felt torn. I ran from Prairie because of my own fears."
"Answer my question, Katherine."
"Yes, I love him. I've loved him for a long time. I just didn't want to let myself care about someone who would leave." Katherine looked at her uncle with her water-filled eyes. "I just wish he loved me. I think he cares about me, but he isn't in love."
"You go be with him, Katherine. That's what would make me happy."
"What if he doesn't want me? I would be devastated if he didn't feel the way I do."
"Daniel is a good man. You hold your beautiful chin up and stop fighting life. Don't waste time, Katherine, it's precious. Once it's gone, it doesn't come back. If you love someone you need to tell them. I have to get some rest so I can mend up and go home. Your home is in Daniel. So, Katherine, go home."
Daniel left the unit and ran out of the hospital as fast as he could. His heart was pounding, and the smile on his face was huge. No woman had ever said they loved him. He didn't give them the opportunity. Daniel didn't stick around long enough.
Katherine went into her room and took her clothes off to soak in the tub. She didn't even know which room Daniel was in. He could have left for all she knew. She doubted he was even concerned about it. She closed her eyes and let the tears blend in with the water that she wished she'd never have to get out of.
Daniel paced inside of his room. One thing he wasn't prepared for was Katherine's love. He felt like that was way beyond his reach. If she only knew how hard it was for him to get the room next door, especially when another couple was demanding the same room. But he had to stay close to her. That ended up being an expensive persuasion. He didn't care. Daniel was willing to move mountains for this woman.
Katherine climbed out of the tub and put on her yellow robe. It felt so soft and warm. She needed to get some fresh air and hopefully clear her head. If she was going to tell Daniel what was in her heart, she'd have to find the strength to endure the painful words she didn't want to hear. The sun had set, but there wasn't much of a breeze when she stepped outside and took a deep breath.
Daniel heard her open the door wall. He saw Katherine with her chin lifted and eyes closed, taking slow, deep breaths. Her curls were loosely pinned up, and upon her face was a small smile. But when she opened her eyes, the smile disappeared. He stepped out on his balcony.
Katherine turned to see who it was that had stepped outside. She became self-conscious about being in just a robe and nothing else.
"Daniel, I didn't realize you were in the room next door."
He had no words for her. He just lifted up his hand and made a slight 'come here' motion. Then she turned and went back in her room. She took off her robe and put her jeans back on and a beautiful green sweater that Daniel had given to her, and walked over to his room. She softly knocked. I can do this.
Daniel opened the door slowly and stepped back in the room. Katherine cautiously entered.
"Daniel, are you okay? May I come in?"
Daniel turned the light on next to the bed and sat down at the small table. He pulled a chair out for her.
"Daniel, are you sure you're okay?"
"No, I'm not okay. I want to talk to you."
"Look, if it's about coming with you to New York or about the money, I can pay-"
"Katherine, sit down please … "
Katherine sat down, never feeling so nervous in her life. She felt like a bomb was getting ready to be dropped on her life, once again.
"I want to tell you some things. I don't want to feel like I have to walk on egg shells for fear of you running. I don't want to do that anymore." Daniel's expression remained serious.
"Daniel, I don't feel like this is going to be a very good conversation. You have a business face on."
Daniel just stared at her.
"Okay, just say whatever's on your mind. I can take it." Katherine began to squirm.
"Are you sure about that?"
Katherine lifted up her chin. No matter what this man said, she was going to tell him how she felt. "Yes, I'm positive. But then it's my turn."
"Katherine, I love you. I'm in love with you, and I have been for so long. I've missed you, and when you left Prairie, I thought my chest was going to explode. My heart ached like it never has before. I had some growing up to do, and no one is more ashamed of the old Daniel Giordano than I am. I don't want to live alone. I haven't even thought of, nor been with another woman since-well don't count Emily. My heart has your name written on it, Katherine, and it will until the day I die. I can provide for you, I can give you a wonderful life. I'd like to settle down and have a family someday. Come to me please. Don't speak, just come over to me." Daniel reached out his hand and Katherine took it.
She was in complete shock. Daniel guided her to his lap and pulled her up close to him. Running his fingers up her back, he unpinned her hair and let it fall down around her shoulders. Putting his hand gently under her chin, he pulled her to his mouth and kissed her like his life depended on him proving his love and passion. A small moan escaped her mouth, and he caught it with his.
Daniel pulled away reluctantly. "Now what is it you needed to say?" He kissed her jawline and her neck.
"I love you too, Daniel. I don't want to run anymore. You're a wonderful man and I trust you. I have one more thing to say..."
"Tell me," said Daniel as he held her even closer. His heart was so full of love. This was a feeling he'd never experienced before.
Every single time that she'd made the decision to share herself with someone, she ended up feeling horrible in the end. She stopped trusting her judgment when it came to men a long time ago. But tonight, she felt no fear, no guilt, and had no second thoughts. Katherine stood up and slowly slid her sweater over her head and set it on the chair. Her small but firm breasts were facing him. She slowly unbuttoned her jeans and slid them to the floor. "Come to me please." Mimicking Daniel's words wasn't her plan. Stripping in front of him wasn't on her agenda either. But the passion that sparked inside Katherine was taking its own course.
Daniel stood, lifted her up in his arms, and gently placed her on the bed. He had, had sex many times, but he'd never made love to any woman.
He rolled Katherine onto her stomach as he slowly kissed up and down each leg with tenderness. He felt her quiver. Daniel took his time kissing up and down her back, then he let as much of his weight as he dared rest on top of her. He wanted her to feel what she was doing to him. Daniel chose to remain dressed, letting his hard member throb against the back of her thigh.
Moving her curls to the side, he softly kissed her neck and shoulder, whispering how much he loved her and how breathtaking she looked. He continued to kiss down her back and, little by little, removed her small panties, kissing every place they had touched. Her breathing quickened.
"Turn back over, Katherine, and watch me." She turned over onto her back and looked at this gorgeous man who stood at the foot of the bed. He unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it on the floor. Katherine saw the muscles, the tight stomach, and his excitement was clearly evident. Daniel took time undoing his belt and pants, and let them fall to the floor. He never felt this level of hunger and passion. He crawled back up towards the woman who had finally opened her heart to him, and briefly let his weight rest against her.
Lifting his strong upper body and resting on his elbows, Daniel was able to look down upon Katherine's beautiful face. Her expression was so full of obvious love and passion. Daniel needed her to feel his love, needed to make love to her mind, her body, and her heart.
"I'll never leave you, Katherine. I never want you in any other bed but mine or in anyone else's life. I want to wake up with you. I want you to always be with me."
"I will be, Daniel," Katherine whispered. She let her legs open when she felt the full pressure of his hard body against hers. She wanted to wrap him up with both her arms and legs, holding him close with everything she could.
Daniel moved his hips around, pushing and throbbing up against her wet folds, teasing her with the silk that remained between them. When he sat up between her legs, he looked down at his wet boxers. He had never felt so turned on in his life. He bent down and slowly licked up her inner thigh, then slid his hand under her beautiful butt and pulled her hips to his mouth. Her moisture, sweet taste, and scent, advanced his raging hunger. Her body shuttered in long spasms and she cried out. Daniel held her hips tighter as they rose up to press harder to his mouth.