“Lord, no. There’s no room for it, but thank you.”
He caught the attention of their waitress and asked for the check.
As he drove her home, his pulse sped faster each mile they gained toward the house. He clasped Dallas’s hand and held on. He’d never been this uncertain in his life, but he couldn’t wait any longer.
When they arrived, he parked at the curb and went around to open her door. She took his outstretched hand and stepped out, smiling at him. If only he could frame that look and keep it in his heart.
As they walked to the house, she leaned into his shoulder. “Cash, this was such a special evening.”
“I enjoyed it, too.” Would it still be special ten minutes from now? He took her keys and opened the door.
“Can you come in, or do you need to go home?”
Thank God. That was the only thing he couldn’t plan. “I’d love to.”
She stepped inside. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
“I’m good.” He followed her into the living room.
“Me, too. I can’t believe how stuffed I am.”
Before she could sit, he caught her hand. “Can I have a moment first?”
Raising her brows, she said, “Um, sure.”
She wore her hair loose tonight, and he loved it that way. He picked up a lock and held it between his fingers. It was so soft. And he was stalling.
He met her gaze, letting her read him, opening up his soul. Now that the time had come, he felt calm, sure of himself. Clasping her hands, he said, “Dallas, meeting you was the best moment of my life. You’re the first person I think of when I wake up, and the last one I think of when I go to sleep.” He raised her hands to his lips and kissed them. “Every day, I realize how lucky I am to know you and Piper. I love you, Dallas.”
Her pupils dilated, and she sucked in a breath.
He pulled her closer. “I may not be the richest man in the world, but I guarantee you that no amount of riches will be able to buy the amount of love I have for you.” Caressing her face, he said, “I’ll love you forever, to the last day of my life. You’re the woman I want to marry, Dallas. I want you to decide on me.”
He’d said what he had to say and said it well.
Dallas’s eyes filled with tears and she reached for him. “Cash, I don’t deserve you.” Her lips trembled and she leaned into him. “I don’t know what to say. When I’m with you, I love you. I miss you so much when we’re apart.” She rubbed her forehead on his chest. “I’m a mess. How can I love you like this, and then feel the way I do about Ethan?”
His heart wrenched. She what? Loved him but felt—how the hell did she feel about the lawyer? Dammit!
He slid his fingers into her hair, claiming her mouth with a savage kiss. Every ounce of his frustration went into it. He kissed her again and again, demanding her response. Their tongues fought a silent battle. Grabbing her hips, he ground her against him.
She clung to his neck, hooking him with her leg, pressing her body into him.
Her kisses were like fire, burning his self-control. He trailed his lips down her throat and across the luscious mounds of her breasts. She moaned and rose up to him.
This woman was his, by God, and nobody else’s. He picked her up and held her at his waist. Wrapping her legs around him, she pulled him down, raining hot, wet kisses on his mouth.
The best part of who he was as a man knocked at his consciousness. Reluctantly, he listened. He let her slip slowly to the floor and held her face in his hands. “I love you, Dallas. You don’t have to make your decision tonight. I know you’re still confused. You don’t have to decide tomorrow, either. But, very soon, I’ll have had all I can take. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone, and it hurts me too bad knowing you’re with him. It has to stop, one way or another.”
Dallas, still breathing fast, nodded. “It’s only fair. I’ve hurt you, and I don’t want to do that anymore. I’ll decide.” She held him. “Thank you, Cash. For loving me. For everything.”
He hugged her hard and headed for the door. He’d done everything he could. He hoped it was enough.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, after a restless night, Dallas strained to focus on the document she was preparing that had to be filed before the end of the day. She glanced up as Ethan stopped by. He’d been out of the office the past two days. The man looked perfectly groomed, as always. She stopped typing. “Hi, how was court?”
He perched on her desk. “Court was fine, but otherwise, I’ve been terrible. I missed you.”
She smiled. “So sorry I ruined things for you.”
Picking up a pen, he twirled it in his fingers. “I wanted to remind you, we go to New York in fifteen days.”
Crap, really? “Ethan, about that. I was thinking. It’s so soon after our Dallas trip, and Piper is pretty clingy right now. I shouldn’t go.” Cash had monopolized her thoughts since he’d left last night.
Ethan frowned, and she could tell he was annoyed. Maybe even angry. “Dallas, those tickets are incredibly hard to come by, and I’ve made all the reservations. I won’t let you back out now.”
Why didn’t he understand? Piper needed her, too. “This is embarrassing, but I maxed out my budget buying clothes for the symphony trip. I can’t afford to go to New York.”
His frown disappeared. “I should have realized that. I know a wonderful shop. I’ll take you there. My treat.”
Her jaw dropped, and she pulled her hand away. “Absolutely not. Thank you, Ethan, but that isn’t necessary.”
Reaching
