She drew a deep, shaky breath. “Because I’m afraid-”
“You had every right to be afraid, sweetheart,” he interrupted, his tone fierce, but gentle. “You were in a life- threatening situation.”
He’d misunderstood her. Frustrated, she struggled to put her emotions into words and not fumble her chances with Josh in the process. “I’m afraid of losing you, Josh. What happened at Carranza’s estate made me realize that. Seeing you near death put things into very clear perspective.” He opened his mouth to say something but she pressed three fingers to his lips, imploring him to be quiet and just listen to her.
“My marriage to Anthony was a sham. You know that as well as I do,” she went on, realizing that part of her past wasn’t nearly as painful as it once had been. “And because of your profession, I feared that a life with you would be just as complicated. But you know what? Despite what you do for a living, you’re nothing like Anthony. In my heart, I always knew that, but admitting it was something else. What you did for me this weekend forced me to face that realization.”
His expression turned quizzical. “What did I do?” he murmured behind the press of her fingers.
“You gave your life to protect mine.”
He bristled indignantly. “Protecting you was my job.”
“Shut up, Marchiano, I’m talking,” she ordered gently. “While Anthony endangered my life, you were willing to sacrifice yours for me. I don’t think Anthony would have done that.”
He didn’t refute her claim. They both knew that Anthony had been too caught up in his own selfish desires to think of anyone but himself.
“You’re a good, honorable man, Josh.” More so than Anthony had ever been. Those honest values made all the difference in the world. “And you’re willing to let me go, despite how much you love me.”
“It’s what you want,” he said simply.
Her heart swelled at what he was willing to sacrifice for her, despite his own misery. “It’s what I
“Ah, Paige,” he groaned, the sound somewhere between pleasure and torment.
Emotion gathered in the back of her throat. “I can’t imagine my life without you.” The words were whispered, but she knew he heard them clearly.
He swallowed thickly. “We’ll call each other,” he rasped. “And I can visit you in Connecticut.”
She shook her head. Dam man, he just didn’t seem to comprehend what she was struggling to say. Then again, she’d given him no reason to hope for a future together. “I…I want more than just occasional phone calls and visits.”
He went very still, watching her.
Exasperated, she said, “I want to marry you, Marchiano.”
He stared, disbelief clashing with the hope she saw reflected in his gaze.
“I want to have your babies,” she whispered.
His eyes glowed with pleasure, but was quickly eclipsed by caution. “Being a cop’s wife isn’t easy,” he said gruffly. “We’ve talked about that.”
“I know all about being a cop’s wife, and I’ll always worry about you. That won’t change whether I’m here or in Connecticut.” She took his face in between her hands, capturing his golden gaze with her own. “I believe in you, and I love you enough to put my future in your hands.” She knew he would never jeopardize their commitment to each other as Anthony had. “I trust you, Josh,” she said, giving him what she hadn’t been able to give Anthony. “With my heart. My soul. My life. I’m hoping we can work on everything else together. Day by day.”
With his good arm, he raised his hand and cupped the back of her head, pulling her down for a long, deep kiss that promised a lifetime of passion, commitment and love. She leaned into him, wanting to get as close as possible, but careful, too, of his bandaged shoulder.
Finally, he ended the kiss, but kept her close in his embrace. “I’ll do everything within my power to make you happy, Paige.”
Believing him was easy. “Yeah, I know you will.” She smiled, her heart overflowing with joy. After the pain of the past two years, she felt she’d finally come home to a place where she belonged. It had nothing to do with the state or city in which she lived, and everything to do with the man who loved her so completely. “I was thinking maybe we could find a place in a quiet suburb just outside of Miami. A house with kid-proof furniture, an extra room for when your parents visit, and a big backyard.”
A slow grin spread across his face. “We could do that.”
She drew a slow, lazy pattern with her finger on his good arm. “And I’d like to keep the Wild Rose, but continue to have Pam manage it.”
His eyes took on a wicked gleam. “That wouldn’t be a bad idea, considering you’re going to be busy with all the babies I plan to give you.”
She laughed, the sound light and carefree. “I’m gonna hold you to that, Marchiano, just as soon as you get out of this place.”
“Then I’m going to demand being discharged this afternoon.” He waggled his brows at her. “Didn’t you say something about it being a few months before I could return to work?”
She rolled her eyes. “I guess I’m going to have my hands full with you, huh?”
“Oh yeah,” he murmured. “And then some.”
Paige sighed as they indulged in another lengthy kiss that erased the pain of the past, and gave her the strength and courage to be this man’s wife.
They had faith and love. The rest would come.
Janelle Denison
