Book 1 - Page 79 (1/2)

”Too much?” I asked hoa.r.s.ely.

”Yes.” He set the box down and rounded the desk. ”Too d.a.m.n much. I can't sit still, I can't concentrate. I can't get you out of my head. I'm f**king restless, and I never am when I'm at work. I'm too busy. But you have me under siege.”

I knew d.a.m.n well how demanding his work had to be, yet I hadn't taken that into consideration when the mood to surprise him - again and again - hit me. ”I'm sorry, Gideon. I wasn't thinking.”

He approached with the s.e.xy stride that hinted at how great he was in the sack. ”Don't be sorry. Today has been the best day of my life.”

”Really?” I watched him slide the ring onto his right ring finger. ”I wanted to please you. Does it fit? I had to guess...”

”It's perfect. You're perfect.” Gideon caught up my hands and kissed my ring; then watched as I repeated the gesture with his. ”What you make me feel, Eva...it hurts.”

My pulse leaped. ”Is that bad?”

”It's wonderful.” He cupped my face, his ring cool against my cheek. He kissed me pa.s.sionately, his lips demanding against mine, his tongue thrusting with wicked skill into my mouth.

I wanted more, but restrained myself, thinking that I'd already gone overboard enough for one day. Plus, he'd been too distracted by my unexpected appearance to frost the gla.s.s wall to give us privacy.

”Tell me again what you said in the car,” he whispered.

”Hmm...I don't know.” I brushed my free hand over his vest. I was afraid to tell him again that I loved him. He'd taken it hard the first time, and I wasn't sure he'd fully taken in what it meant for us. For him. ”You're ridiculously handsome, you know. It's a sucker punch every time I see you. Anyway...I don't want to risk scaring you away.”

Leaning toward me, he touched his forehead to mine. ”You regret what you said, don't you? All the flowers, the ring - ”

”Do you really like it?” I asked anxiously, pulling back to study his face and see if he was hedging on the truth. ”I don't want you to wear it for me if you hate it.”

His fingers traced the sh.e.l.l of my ear. ”It's perfect. It's how you see me. I'm proud to wear it.”

I loved that he got it. Of course, that's because he got me.

”If you're trying to soften the blow of taking back what you said - ” he began, his gaze betraying a surprising anxiety.

I couldn't resist the soft plea in his eyes. ”I meant every word, Gideon.”

”I'll make you say it again,” he threatened in a seductive purr. ”You'll scream it by the time I'm done with you.”