Because he could never go on without her.
* * *
“You did it,” Rosie said against the silky hair on his chest. “You actually made me forget my name. I knew it started with an R, but that was as far as I could get for a while there.”
He had bundled her close with the covers pulled over them. She felt tired, but so good. So needed. So desired. So special.
“I don’t want you to think I have women over here all the time.”
What on earth? She tipped back her head to look at him. “Where did that come from?”
“The condoms in my bedside table. I haven’t needed them in a long time. I had them from before and I didn’t throw them away. But I don’t want you to think that I—”
She reached up to put her fingers to his lips. “I didn’t even think about it, Gideon. Besides, you don’t have to explain anything about your past to me.”
“I do,” he insisted. “I want to.” He stroked her cheek. “You’re the only one. You need to know that.”
She curled herself around him, getting closer, if that were even possible. “I do know that. And you’re the only one for me too.”
He nuzzled the top of her head as he said, “I’ve never felt like this.” His deep voice sent thrill bumps across her skin.
“Neither have I.”
For the first time in her life, Rosie was in love.
Chapter Twenty-One
A phone wouldn’t stop ringing. It was Archie. He was after her; he was after Jorge. And she was running, trying to lose him, Jorge in her arms. Then suddenly Jorge was gone, and she was screaming his name, but no one could hear.
Her mind foggy with sleep, Rosie realized the phone on the side table was ringing. Remnants of the dream still tormenting her, she grabbed her cell, half afraid Archie was calling to say he’d stolen Jorge right out of his bed. Afraid that if she didn’t answer, she would never see Jorge again.
The last thing she expected was to see Ari smiling at her.
“Who’s that?” Gideon went up on one elbow beside her to peer over her shoulder at the screen.
In the moments between her nightmare and waking, Rosie had forgotten where she was. In Gideon’s bed. With the kids just down the hall. She’d answered the FaceTime call without even thinking.
“Gideon? Rosie?” Ari’s shock was plain to see.
Rosie slapped the phone face down on the mattress.
Ari’s voice might be muffled, but it was still audible. “You can’t hide. I already saw you with my brother.”
Rosie raised the phone again. “Hi, Ari.”
She was full-body blushing, even before Gideon slid his arm around her waist and tucked her back into his big, hard body. They were naked, for God’s sake, even if she had the sheet pulled up to her neck. And her hair must look like a rat’s nest.
At the same time, however, her heart swelled at what his gesture meant: He wasn’t going to hide his relationship with her. There was no one else whose opinion mattered more to Gideon than Ari. So if he wanted his sister to know, he would want everyone to know.
“You have no idea how happy I am right now!” Ari exclaimed, her face bright and smiling. “Do you know how badly I’ve wanted you two to get together?”
Matt’s face popped onto the screen beside Ari’s. “It’s true. She’s talked endlessly about ways she could make you two see how perfect you are for each other.”
“We… I…” Rosie wasn’t normally lost for words.
Fortunately, Gideon picked up the slack. “Rosie
has totally captivated me since the first day I saw her. I just needed some time to convince her that I was worthy to be with her and Jorge.”