Part 55 (1/2)

Meaning he didn't need to make moves? He shook his head. ”You never wanted to be here, honey. You'd made a life in California. You'd moved on.”

Shaking her head, she whispered, ”No. I tried, but...” Looking around, she made sure no one was near the door and able to listen in. ”You know things didn't...work for me, not with anyone else.”

”You know why, right?” He waited for her to say they were good together.

But she went one further and took out his knees, saying, ”Because I love you.”

Flattening a hand on the wall to brace himself, Cannon stared at her. She'd pretty much just shouted that at him.

Wincing, Yvette put her shoulders back and said again, more evenly this time, ”I love you.”

d.a.m.n. ”Yeah, that'll work.”

”What?”

Pure elation put a smile on his face. ”Saying things I want to hear.”

”Oh.” She closed some of the s.p.a.ce separating them. Not touching, but near enough that he could kiss her if he chose to.

And he would-as soon as she finished declaring herself.

”You love me?” he prompted, sensing that she wasn't done yet.

”I do,” she breathed. ”So much.”

”And whenever I have to travel, you'll go along?”

”Yes. I mean, that'd require your cooperation, but I'd like to. I can handle the attention.” Her face heated. ”I mean, the attention from being with you, the famous fighter known as the Saint.”

He loved the way her face colored, how she licked her lips.

”That is...” She searched his face. ”If you want me there?”

”h.e.l.l, yeah, I do.”

She expelled an anxious breath.

Laughing, Cannon hauled her into his chest and gave her a quick kiss. ”One condition.”