“Okay.” He raised an eyebrow.
My body trembled, and I was hoping it wasn’t outwardly recognizable to him. “I care about you a lot, and…” I threw my head back and looked up at the ceiling. “I’m just gonna say it. I think—no, I know the way I feel about you goes beyond friendship. And…” I was trying my hardest to get the words out, but my nerves were getting the best of me.
Theo reached for my hand and gently took it in his. “And you wanted to see if I felt the same way?” He finished the words I couldn’t say.
“Yes,” I whispered, relieved that it was finally out there, regardless of what his reply would be. I gazed at him in agonizing suspense, doubting myself with each passing second.
“Jillian, when I told you that night I had never been in love with anyone, I meant it.”
“Oh.” I dropped my gaze, feeling like such a fool. How could I have thought he’d be feeling anything for me beyond friendship? We lived an ocean away. He had women falling at his feet. Why on earth would he want to be in a relationship with me that went beyond what we had?
He placed his hand under my chin, lifting my view back into his mysterious green eyes that had a spark to them I hadn’t seen before. “Until now.” A slow smile spread across my face. “I guess my whole life I’ve been going about it all wrong. I’d jump in bed with the first pretty face I’d see. Things wouldn’t work out; we’d go our separate ways, yet somehow always manage to remain friends. I even did it with my ex-wife. But you…” He shook his head and his eyes filled with emotion, causing mine to do the same. “From the first moment I saw you that day in the hotel lobby—I thought you were beyond beautiful. I’m not gonna lie, I thought, I could totally sleep with this girl and have a vacation fling, until I got to know you. I realized that you weren’t like the rest, you were special. And over these months of getting to know you more and more, I know I was right. So, I guess what I’m trying to say to you is…I finally know what it feels like to be in love because I’m in love with you.” My eyes widened, blissfully surprised by his unexpected confession. “Shit...was I not supposed to tell you that?” He let out a nervous chuckle.
“No... I mean, yes. No, what I really mean is, I love you too.”
Relief spread over his face. “You had me a little worried there. You know I’m not very experienced with that word.”
We both let out a loud laugh that was so symbolic of our relationship. Turning a beautiful romantic moment into something humorous. The funny thing was, I wouldn’t have wanted it to go any other way. The back of his hand brushed across my cheek, and his head dropped to mine. Our lips tenderly touched and our tongues began to slowly entwine. He pressed his forehead against mine, and I placed my hands on his cheeks, wanting to memorize every detail of him and this moment we were sharing.
Time stood still as I stared into his eyes for the first time as someone beyond a friend. As I lifted my shirt over my head, everything inside of me was wanting him. He reached around me and unhooked my bra, allowing it to fall to the floor. We lay down on the bed and continued our kiss from a few moments ago. I melted into him as we slowly peeled each layer of clothing off the other, with our lips never parting. Our skin meshed together and my need for him grew with each passing second. We already knew every inch of each other’s hearts, and that night, we discovered every inch of each other’s bodies as we made love to one another for the very first time.
CHAPTER 24
I WASN’T SURE how long I’d been watching Theo sleep when I awoke the next morning. I just knew it was something I could get in the habit of doing on a daily basis. The early sunshine came through the hotel window, illuminating every aspect of his gorgeous face. His defined jawline, his ruby red lips, and his dark curls that were a stark contrast against the white pillowcase. Unable to resist, I reached over and ran my fingers through his curly tresses, causing him to stir. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and they slowly peeled open as I propped myself up on my elbow, getting amusement over his flustered state.
“Good morning,” I whispered.
His trademark boyish grin caused my heart to leap from my chest. Was it possible that it was even more endearing first thing in the morning? “So, it wasn’t all a dream?”
“It wasn’t. Or at least, I think it wasn’t. Tell me something, if it was, would you have wanted to be awoken from it?”
“Never.” He shook his head and summoned me to come closer. I moved my head to his chest, listening to the sweet melody of his heartbeat. Closing my eyes, I relished in the warmth of his body, never wanting the moment to end. “So, what were your plans for today, besides eating…I’m starving,” Theo asked as his fingertips gently glided up and down my bare back.
I laughed. “Yeah, sorry about skipping dinner.”
“That’s okay, I rather liked the alternative.”
“Me too.” I lifted my head and kissed him on the cheek. “Can you take me to see Kate? I
