“You can use my cameras until your equipment’s released and we can rent studio space,” Rick said to her, already doing what he could to help her, just as he’d promised he would.
“I’d be honored to take your pictures,” she said to the group. “Anything for Rick’s friends.”
“Great then. Terrific,” Rick said.
“Yes, great,” she said. They just stared at each other. She drank him in, looked into his green eyes, which, if they were windows to his soul, were flung wide to let in all the light there was. For the first time, Rick was completely present, fully himself, and she realized she loved him even more in the bright day of reality.
She’d hidden, too, in her fantasies.
She became aware that the silence had gone on too long. Finally, Jessie cleared her throat. “So, uh, we’ll be taking off, right, guys? Nice to meet you, Samantha. Take care of this guy.” She patted Rick’s arm.
“I hope to,” she said, looking up at him.
The door closed behind the cops and Samantha and Rick were alone in Bedroom Eyes again. “That was nice of you, Rick.”
“It’s the least I can do after all that happened because of me.”
Love has to be earned. He still believed that. It would be up to her to show him love could be freely given. Without fear. With faith.
“How did it go with your lieutenant?” she asked, figuring he must still have a job, considering that he’d brought folks from his station here.
“He gave me another chance. They all…believe in me.” He shrugged, seeming mystified.
“Of course they do. They should. You deserve it.”
“Thanks for calling him. It means a lot. Your doing that.”
“I had to. I believe in you, too, Rick.”
“How can you? You were right. You don’t even know me.”
“Oh, yes I do,” she said, her voice low with the intensity of her feelings. “I know everything that counts. I know that you’re loyal and honest, that you have honor and principles and—”
“I love you,” he blurted. “That’s the main deal. All this time I thought I should settle down, have a family. Because of Brian, I guess. And for me. But I didn’t really want that. Not until I met you. I guess…” He paused, swallowed, then pushed himself to speak. “I was waiting for you.”
“Oh, Rick,” she said, rising up on tiptoes to meet his lips.
He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly, and she felt safe and protected and so loved. This was real. This was better than all the fantasies in the world.
She broke off the kiss and looked into his open green eyes. “I love you, too, Rick.”
“So love is pretty sturdy after all.” He looked so happy, as relieved as a child, that she kissed him again.
“I can’t believe I fell in love with the first man I had great sex with.”
“Sometimes you just get lucky.” He winked at her, the smart-assed, wicked Rick back again.
“Sometimes you do.” She looked around at the wreck of her studio and felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
“So, we’re starting over, right? Allow me to introduce myself. Samantha Sawyer, I’m Rick West. I’m a cop. A good one. I work hard, by the book, love my work, but I won’t let it interfere with our life together.”
“Nice to meet you, Rick West. It’s kind of scary to me, you know, you being a cop. Thinking of you getting shot at or hurt. That’ll take some getting used to.”
“I don’t take unnecessary risks, Sammi, and with you in my life I’ll be even more careful.”
She considered that closely. It wouldn’t be easy, but every life held risk. She would adjust. She smiled up at him, knowing they had all the time in the world to work things out.
“I guess this means you’re quitting as my assistant.”
“Sorry.” He grimaced.
“I won’t need help for a while anyway.” She sighed. Maybe when she did, Bianca could work for her. She was taking that class, she’d need a distraction from the mess with Darien, and Samantha enjoyed working with her.
“I can help on the weekends,” Rick offered.
“Oh, no. On the weekends, we’ll be far too busy to be in the studio.” She pushed her body tight against his, tucked her fingers into his hair and looked up into his eyes, delighted by the emerald heat she saw there. There wasn’t a shadow in his eyes, no hint that he’d disappear from her or the love growing between them. He was hers. For good.
“Busy, huh?” He nuzzled her neck and spoke into her ear, “I suppose this means more of your sex games? I haven’t got all the butterscotch off me yet.”