SEALed With A Kiss(32)

“I was already proud of you,” he protested.

“As a person, I mean—not just a newswoman. I only work part time now. I’ve been babysitting Ryan every morning, and I’m good with him. I really am, Vinny.”

“Of course you are. I never doubted that.”

“I go to church now, and I exercise, and I even volunteered at a homeless shelter—”

“Sweetheart, you’ve got nothin’ to prove to me,” he insisted, squeezing her hand harder. “I’ve always loved you for who you are. I don’t want you to change.”

Tears of relief rushed into her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Just promise me something,” he implored, his gaze delving deep into her eyes.

“Anything,” she agreed, dashing away the tear that slipped between her lashes.

“Promise me you won’t keep any secrets from me, ever again. There isn’t anything in the world that we can’t face together. I want to be able to protect you next time.”

“I promise,” she told him, nodding her understanding. He’d wanted to protect her and she hadn’t let him.

“So, you’ll come home with me tonight?” he asked with a pleading look that she had never been able to resist.

She felt herself grinning for the first time in weeks. The thought of sleeping in Vinny’s arms on their California king instead of Penny’s firm guest bed filled her with a heady longing to be there right now. She almost wished the cruise ship would turn around now, taking them back to the harbor so they could get home all the sooner.

“I want to come home,” she agreed, threading her fingers through his. “I’ve missed us so much.”

“I’ve missed us, too,” he said gruffly.

The waitress reappeared just then, bearing their main course. With Vinny distracted, Ophelia toed off one of her high-heeled shoes and slid a stocking-clad foot up the inside of his leg. Watching him fight to keep his composure as he shook out his napkin and reached for his fork made her ribs ache with contained laughter.

“Is this my Christmas gift?” he inquired after the waitress moved away. The glint in his dark eyes warned her that she was asking for trouble.

“M-hmm,” she confirmed, caressing his powerful inner thighs with her dexterous toes.

“I got a surprise for you, too.” He carved a bite out of his steak and chewed it carnivorously. “But it’s not what you think,” he added, intriguing her with that bit of information.

“It’s not?”

“It’s news,” he added waggling his black eyebrows, “that you’ll have to extort from me before the night is over.”

“Oh, I’m good at extorting information,” she purred as she stroked his thigh.

“I know you are, baby. Eat your food.” He gestured to her plate with his fork.

She took an obliging bite of steak and found it tender enough to melt in her mouth. When was the last time she had felt like eating? “Mmm, so, about this news,” she began, turning over thoughts in her head. “Might it have anything to do with your application to medical school?” She’d been dying to hear the verdict since he’d first applied for early consideration.

“God, you’re good.” He shook his head.

Her fork clattered from her hand onto her plate. “You got accepted?” she cried in delight. “To where? Which one?”

“MCV in Richmond.” It had been his first choice.

She had to clap a hand to her mouth to stifle a scream.

“There’s a caveat,” he warned her. “We’ll have to move this summer.” He sent her a searching look. “Which means you’ll have to quit your job and find a new one.”

Her momentary panic came and went. “No worries. Corruption exists in every city. I’m sure I can find a new job.”

“I’m sure you can, too,” he stated.

She considered the news as she chewed thoughtfully. Her career was not the only one that would change. “So this is it,” she marveled. “You’re actually going to leave the Teams.” She searched his expression for signs of regret.

“It’s time,” he said with certainty. Having enlisted at the tender age of 17, his two four-year terms had made a man out of him, guiding his decision to become a medical doctor.

The realization that she wouldn’t have to fear for his life, day in and day out, filled her with bottomless relief. Their future together had never looked brighter. If only they weren’t stranded on a boat now headed past the Norfolk Naval Base. Turning her head, she sought the stairs that gave access to the other levels.