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“I wouldn’t put anything past Marina.”
“Wow.” So much to digest.
* * *
Riley
I give Nova a minute then put my hand over hers, where it rests near her wine glass. “It’s good news for us. I don’t have to hide anymore. I’m finally free to live without fear. Without worrying I’ll put people in danger just by being around them. I meant what I said.”
Her gaze lifts to mine, the light green and yellow color arresting.
“I want to be with you forever. Wherever. If you’re there, so am I. Here. A place around here. New York. Name it. Where you go, I go.”
Tears fill her eyes. She leaps from the chair and onto my lap like a cat.
I hold her tight, my fingers in her hair, my other arm wrapped around her waist, holding her close.
“I…” She sniffles. “I didn’t know if this would ever be possible. I hoped. Dreamed…” She lifts her head and stares into my eyes as tears stream down her cheeks. “I don’t know if I deserve you, but I’m going to spend the rest of my life proving I do.” She hugs me.
“Funny, I feel the same.” I pull back and kiss the salty tears from her cheeks. “I love you, Nova Allen.”
She giggles and kisses my lips. “What now?”
“That’s a dangerous question when you’re sitting on my lap, looking like dessert.”
Her brows go up. “You couldn’t possibly?”
“Oh, I could, so you’ll have to be more specific with your question.”
“It seems like multiple questions now.”
“Okay.” I tuck her hair behind her ear. “I’m listening.”
“I think we should live here for a while. In the pool house. It’s private enough and Gigi won’t mind. She’d love it, actually. I need to finish my collection, and she has the space here. And maybe the protection would be nice until we adjust to you not being in danger anymore.”
I smirk. “Is there a question in there?”
Her cheeks flush red; against her bronze skin, it’s stunning. I kiss the pink color and trail a finger down her throat.
She wiggles in my lap and I’m instantly hard. Like I said—the death of me.
“Eventually, I want to get a place of our own.”
“Okay.” I narrow my brows, waiting for that question.
“I was wondering if maybe we could get a place here? I love Santa Barbara, and I know you like the beach and surfing. But if you wanted, maybe we could get a second home in the mountains, like a cabin.”
Can this woman steal my heart any more? “I would love that. I know just the place, too.” Lake Tahoe and the cabin I have my eye on. “If we stay here, I can save up enough to buy the cabin and a place for us.”
“I can help with that, too. Gigi says even if my collection doesn’t get international attention, it will still be successful in the US. She has connections.” She lifts a shoulder, her mouth twisting with a sheepish grin. “I’m not above using her resources.”
“I don’t blame you.”
My approval seems to spark something in her. She takes a deep breath and treats me to a sugary-sweet smile that feels like warm maple syrup over my heart.
“Are we really doing this?” she asks.
“Nothing could stop me.”