Living the Charade(34)

'I might have been a bit harsh earlier.'

'No, you weren't.' He hesitated. 'After my father died I was determined  never to love anyone because I convinced myself that I wanted to  protect them from the hurt I had experienced. But you were right. I was  protecting myself.' He shook his head. 'Until you came into my life,  Miller, I truly believed that I didn't have the capacity to love  anyone.'

Miller felt her heart swell in her chest. She desperately wanted to  believe that he loved her but her old fears wouldn't let go.

He squeezed her hands gently. 'You're thinking something. What is it?'

'I thought you always knew what I was thinking?' Miller smiled weakly at her attempt at humour.

'Usually I do, but right now...I'm too scared to guess.'

Scared? Valentino was scared?

His admission was raw, and unbridled hope sparked deep inside her. 'You risk your life every time you race.'

He laughed. 'That's nothing compared to this. Now tell me what you're thinking, baby.'

Miller felt as if her heart had a tractor beam of sunlight shining  right at it at the softness of his tone. 'I'm thinking that I may never  outgrow my need for certainty, and I don't know if I can watch you throw  yourself around a track every other week without making you feel  guilty. Watching you qualify today, I thought I was going to throw up.'

'You won't have to do either. I've organised a meeting first thing  tomorrow morning to announce my retirement from the circuit. Effective  immediately.'

Miller didn't try to hide her shock. 'Why would you do that? You love racing.'

'I love you more.'

His words made her heart leap. 'But what will you do instead?'

'Andy and I have a patent over the new go-cart designs and we have  visions of taking Go Wild global. I like your idea of turning it into a  venue for corporations to use and I'm also thinking we can use it as a  place to give kids interested in competing some personal coaching.'

Miller nodded. 'That's a great idea.'

Valentino blew out a breath as if her opinion really mattered. 'Good.  I'm glad you like it. In fact, I was hoping to convince you to consult  for us. Andy and I know a lot about cars, but we know jack about running  a business.'

'You want me to work for you?' Miller knew she was smiling like a loon.

'Only if you want to-God, Miller, you're beautiful.' Valentino dropped  her hands and hauled her against him, kissing her so passionately she  couldn't think straight.

He drew back, shuddering. 'Where was I? Oh, yeah. Marry me.'

'Marry you?'

'I'm sorry I don't have a ring yet. Honestly, I've been fighting my  feelings so hard for so long I'm embarrassingly under-prepared, but I  promise to make it up to you.'

Remembering how everything had gone so wrong between them just hours earlier, Miller felt some of her anxiety return.

As if sensing her tumultuous emotions, Valentino tugged her in against  him again. 'If you don't like the idea that's fine. I know you have your  own dreams to follow and I'll support you in whatever they are.' He  smiled. 'Just so long as we find a little bit of time to have a house  full of kids.'

'A house full?'

'You said you didn't like being an only child.'

'I hated it.' Miller's head was reeling.

'Then we should probably try for more than one, because chances are they'll hate it too.'

Once again happiness threatened to engulf her, but a tiny niggle of  doubt still prevailed. 'Wait. You're steamrollering me again.'                       
       
           



       

'But I am wearing a suit this time. Does that count?'

Miller felt both fearful and excited in the face of his unwavering  resolve. 'It does help that you look insanely handsome in one, yes.'

Valentino clasped her face in his hands. 'Okay, you're still worried. Talk to me.'

Miller wet her dry lips and took a deep breath. He'd put his heart on  the line for her, was giving up his racing career to be with her. The  least she could do was confide her greatest fear.

'Valentino, you can't possibly feel the same way about me as I do about  you, and that will eventually ruin everything between us.'

She tried to glance away, feeling utterly miserable now, but he held her fast.

'How do you feel about me, Miller?'

'I love you, of course. But-'

She didn't get any further as his mouth captured hers in a blistering  kiss so full of sensual passion and promise that tears stung the backs  of her eyes.

'Stop.' She pushed at him weakly, her body trembling against his.  'You're too good at that, and it doesn't change the fundamental law of  relationships.'

'Which one's that?' he asked, nuzzling the side of her neck.

Miller tried to put some distance between them, but his hold was  implacable. 'The one that says one person will always love more than the  other.'

Her voice was so anguished Valentino stopped kissing her and stared  into her eyes. 'I've never heard of that law, but you'll never love me  as much as I love you. I guarantee it.'

'No.' Miller shook her head. 'Your feelings can't possibly be as strong as mine are for you.'

Valentino smiled, pressed her against the cabin wall. 'Want to argue about it for the rest of our lives?'

Miller burst out laughing, radiant happiness slowly soaking into every corner of her heart. 'You're serious!'

Valentino stayed her nervous hands in one of his. 'I've never been more  serious about anything. I once told you I'd never met a woman who  excited me as much as racing-but, Miller, you do. I feel exhilarated  just thinking about seeing you. And when I do...' He shook his head, the  depth of his emotions shining brightly in his eyes.

Miller gazed back at the only man who had ever made her heart sing. 'I  love you so much. I didn't know it was even possible to feel like this  about another person.'

'Ditto, Sunshine. Now, put me out of my misery and tell me you'll marry me.'

Completely overwhelmed by emotions no longer held at bay Miller grinned stupidly. 'I'll marry you-but with one condition.'

Valentino groaned. 'I knew you wouldn't make it easy. What's the condition?'

Miller linked her hands behind his neck, deciding to have some fun with him. 'We do it at my pace, not yours.'

Valentino threw back his head and laughed. 'I told Sam that was my  lucky shirt. Now it will be forever known as my life-changing shirt.'

Wriggling closer, Miller nuzzled his neck, the last of her doubts fading into nothing. 'I love you.'

Valentino's touch became purposeful, masterful. 'And I you.'

Miller smiled. How had she ever thought love was horrible? Love was wonderful.