How did he explain this to her? Make her understand all the things running through his mind, through his heart?
“I have been crazy about you from the moment we met,” he admitted. “Do you know how it feels to want someone so much and to know you’ll never have her? That’s how I felt about you right up until the day you asked me to be your pretend boyfriend.”
“I didn’t know. I thought you didn’t like me, that I’d done something to upset you.”
He snorted. “You weren’t supposed to know. I didn’t want you or anyone to know how I felt. And, the only thing you did to upset me was be in a serious relationship with Paul.”
“You never let on that you wanted me.”
“Nor would I have had he not made the mistake of breaking things off. I’d been there, done that and planned to never get involved with another woman who was on the rebound or seriously involved with someone. Not easy when it came to you, but I managed by keeping my distance. I didn’t want to like you.”
“But you did anyway.” She smiled as she said it, flattening her hand against his chest, covering his heart.
“Obviously.”
“Not from where I was standing. I couldn’t believe when you said you’d go with me to Tennessee.”
“I couldn’t stand the thought of you hiring an escort and possibly being taken advantage of.”
“Because you thought I was on the rebound?”
“Yes.”
“I am on the rebound.” She stared him straight in the eyes. “From a relationship with my pretend boyfriend who stole my real heart. It’s his for the taking. All he has to do is say yes.”
* * *
McKenzie waited to see how Ryder would respond. Did he want her heart? Want her?
What she’d seen in his eyes had made her think he did, but she needed to hear him say the words. Needed to know he wouldn’t push her away.
“I love you, McKenzie.”
Not yes, but she’d take those words, would take them and cherish them.
“Tell me again,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Tell me over and over.”
“I plan to.” He kissed her, long and hard and with a possession like she’d never felt. Because she’d never been loved the way Ryder loved her. She’d never let him go, knew without doubt he’d never let her go again.
“Every day for the rest of our lives, McKenzie, I’ll do more than tell you. I’ll show you.”
And he did.
* * *