She went on. “I also knew that even if you didn’t reciprocate my feelings, getting off the flight was the right thing to do for myself.”
Relief rushed through him faster than his baby, the Ferrari, took a highway. “It was the best thing you could have done for us.” He brushed a strand of hair off her face and tucked it behind her ear, grateful he could touch her again, know she was here to stay, and most importantly, she was his.
All hesitancy gone, she smiled wide. “I know. Because you were waiting for me, which means you love me, too.”
He laughed. This woman was perfect for him in so many ways. “So not only did you tell me first, you didn’t give me a chance to say it back.”
“I pretty much thought the fact that you rushed here to stop me from leaving said it all. But I wouldn’t mind hearing the words from those talented lips.” She traced the outline of said lips with her finger, and he felt the zing of her touch right down to his soul.
“I love you, Cassidy Forrester.” And though it was too soon right now, he intended to lock her into an engagement before he left on his next tour.
Hell, if he had his way, he’d marry her before then, too. He wanted to give her every reason to trust him while they were apart. A wedding ring, not just on her finger but on his, too, would go a long way toward getting rid of any lingering insecurities she had thanks to his past. Not to mention the pain of abandonment in hers. They would have each other for the rest of their lives and nothing would make him happier. With luck, she felt the same way. They now had time to talk about things in depth when they were home. To truly make sure they were in it for the long haul.
Together.
“Cass?” he asked.
“Hmm?”
“Let’s go home.”
* * *
Let’s go home.
Those words were music to Cassidy’s ears, pun intended. She hadn’t expected to see Dash on her way out of the airport, and when she’d laid eyes on his familiar form, she thought she was seeing things. Hearing him say he’d tried to stop her from boarding? The most unexpected, best news ever.
Now that she’d come to terms with the fact that her hang-ups had nothing to do with how Dash would behave, her heart was open and her walls down.
She met his gaze, smiling wide. “Yes. Let’s go home.”
He lifted her into his arms, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, her body floating in a state of euphoria.
“I love you, Cass,” he whispered in her ear and her entire being reacted.
“I love you, too, Dash.”
He spun her around, and when he stopped, she realized they had an audience of mostly females, phones on, directed toward them, obviously recording their happy reunion.
“Dash! Can I get your autograph?”
“Will you sign my sweatshirt?”
“Dash, can we take a picture?”
Fan after fan shouted out requests, uncaring that he was obviously otherwise occupied. She knew she had to get used to this part of his life and sharing him, and there was no time like the present to show him she could handle it.
“You should put me down and greet your fans,” she told him, arms wrapped tightly around his neck so she wouldn’t fall.
He shook his head. “I’m not letting you go. I made that mistake once in this lifetime. I’m not doing it again.” He turned to face their audience. “Everyone, this is my girlfriend, who I’m going to marry one day,” he announced. “You all can let the world know I said that.”
“Dash!” Cassidy exclaimed, taken off guard by his pronouncement but totally on board.
Female shouts and squeals followed.
“As much as I love you all, today is about us. So no autographs or selfie pics this time. Hope you forgive me.”
And then, in front of their audience, he dipped his head and kissed her long and hard, to what she realized was the sound of applause.
Epilogue
Four Years Later
“I have no business being at this movie premier. Look at me! I’m the size of a whale,” Cassidy said, her arms barely reaching around her extremely pregnant belly.
Dash shook his head. “You’re the most beautiful woman in the room.” Leaning over, he kissed her cheek and she shivered. It never ceased to amaze her how their chemistry never changed. He always affected her and vice versa.
“You have to say that. We’re married and I’m not letting you go anywhere. Especially not now that I’m due any minute.”
He chuckled and ran his hand over her bare back. “You’re the film’s producer and Sasha’s right hand in the company. You wouldn’t miss tonight for anything.”
The man had a point. Still, it really wasn’t fair the way the timing had worked out.