Her husband wasn't an easy man to know, but she found him incredibly easy to love. He would never be one to express himself in flowery phrases, but he would always be faithful and committed. He hadn't given himself easily to her, but once he had, he had held nothing back.
What more could she have wanted? she asked herself again.
She looked across the room, where he was adjusting the gas-log fire to dispel any chill in the room. She knew he was covering his impatience to see their friends by staying busy. “Banner?”
“Hmm?”
“Wanna play twenty questions until our guests arrive?”
He groaned. “What could you possibly have left to ask?”
“Actually, I just have one at the moment.”
Heaving an exaggeratedly indulgent sigh, he asked, “What is it?”
“Do you love me?”
All trace of humor disappeared, leaving his expression completely serious. “That's one thing you should never have to ask. You know I love you.”
She smiled and placed her hand in his as he sank to the couch beside her. “I know. But it's the only question that really matters to me anymore.”
Banner's lips covered hers in a kiss that adequately illustrated just how sincere his answer had been.
GINA WILKINS
is a bestselling and award-winning author who has written more than sixty-five books. She credits her successful career in romance to her long, happy marriage and her three “extraordinary” children.
A lifelong resident of central Arkansas, Ms Wilkins sold her first book in 1987 and has been writing full-time ever since. She has appeared on various bestseller lists. She is a three-time recipient of the Maggie Award for Excellence, sponsored by Georgia Romance Writers, and has won several awards from the reviewers of
