“I know, Ron told me.”
“He didn’t know where I was staying.”
“Monica—my travel agent—is a wizard. Hope you
don’t mind me showing up.”
“No, of course not.” Of course not? How
about, Oh my God, I’ve been so miserable since the moment you left. Can you
just please not move for about a century. “I thought you were in Rio in the
midst of business and…whatnot.”
“I’m done with whatnot.” Derian slipped her
fingers from cotton to the bare skin at Emily’s nape. She couldn’t resist
touching her any longer. The connection was like coming home, and the coiled
tension inside her unwound and faded away. The ache that had tormented her for
days dissolved in the welcome in Emily’s eyes. “I had to see you. I missed
you.”
Emily’s breath caught. “Derian.”
“Emily…” Derian leaned closer and kissed her.
“I made a mess of things the last time we talked.”
Emily slid her hand onto Derian’s leg,
stroked up and down her denim-clad thigh. “No, you didn’t. Well, maybe, but so
did I. I know you were only trying to help. That’s why I called, to thank—”
“No, no.” Derian grimaced impatiently. “I was,
trying to help, I mean, but that’s not really what was going on. You were right
about that.”
“No, I wasn’t.” Emily needed her to believe
this. “I meant what I said on the phone. I know you’re not your father, and I
know you weren’t trying to use me to get back at him.”
“Thank you. I need you to believe that.”
“I do.” Emily sighed. “How long are you here
for?”
“Until you get tired of me.”
The words pierced with the sweet blade of
hope Emily couldn’t allow herself. “I have another ten days.”
“My reservation at the hotel is open-ended.”
“You’re staying here?”
“Yes. But if you don’t want to see me, I’ll
leave.”
Emily cupped Derian’s cheek. How could she
even think that? “Of course I want to see you. I hope…I hope at least we’re
friends.”
Derian turned Emily’s hand over and kissed
her palm. “I don’t want to be your friend, Emily.” She met Emily’s gaze. “I
want to be your lover.”
Emily summoned every ounce of will. Derian
was going to break her heart, and she’d never recover. “I can’t, Derian. I—”
“You really aren’t going to tell me it’s
because of the business, are you?”
Emily shook her head. No more time for hiding
the truth. “No, it’s not that. I—”
Derian gave an impatient growl and, still
holding Emily’s hand, slid gracefully onto her knees in front of Emily.
A few people passing by paused to stare.
“Derian, what are you doing?”
“What I should’ve done before.”
Derian’s eyes gleamed and sent Emily’s heart
racing.
“I love you,” Derian said, her voice strong
and pure. “I want to be your lover and your mate, your friend and your spouse.
I want you to marry me, Emily. Will you?”