‘Marcus,’ she interrupted him, feeling as if her heart was going to explode if she didn’t put an end to his misery this second.
He stopped, raising his head, his expression open and vulnerable.
‘Shut up.’
She reached up on tiptoes and softened her words with a kiss—one so filled with her love for him that when she broke away they both had to fight for air.
‘Does this mean...?’ His voice trailed off, his hands still as they cupped her face, his eyes searching her own, daring to hope.
‘I love you, too,’ she said, tears fal
ling freely now. ‘And, for my sins, I’ve known it for a while.’
‘You have?’ he said in disbelief. ‘But everything I said about relationships, about it just being sex...’
‘Yes, in spite of all that you couldn’t hide the good man you are, Marcus. It follows you around with annoying presence.’ She poked him playfully in the chest. ‘Believe me, I tried not to love you—especially after all you said—but you captured my heart and the damn thing wouldn’t let you go.’
He grinned, that delicious dimple appearing in his cheek, and she pressed a kiss to it.
‘Thank fuck your heart is as stubborn as you,’ he said.
She dropped back and raised her brow in mock hurt. ‘Stubborn?’
‘Yes.’ He reached around, resting his hands against her lower back, holding her to him. ‘Just like an ass.’
‘An ass?’
‘Only better-looking.’
She laughed, her happiness spilling over as she prodded him in the chest some more. ‘Tread carefully, Marcus. You have a lot of making up to do.’
‘Making up?’ His grin turned mischievous, his eyes flashing with wicked intent. ‘I like the sound of that.’
‘I bet you do.’
‘And I know just where to start,’ he drawled, taking hold of the zip fastening at her back and toying with it. ‘Shame we have a product launch to get to first...’
‘Well, you have Colin driving us, right?’
‘Yes...’ He looked at her, bewildered, and she simply smiled, turning in his hold.
‘Then zip me up and let’s go celebrate in style.’
She didn’t need to look at him to know he’d got her meaning this time...
* * * * *