“Get off, it’ll break. That’s a limited edition table.”
“It’s strong and it will hold me and I don’t give a damn how expensive it is,” Hunt stated. And it was true, she was all that was important.
And taking that fear out of her eyes was also imperative. Hunt placed his hands on her knees and squeezed. “Love is a scary emotion. And because I’m very much in love with you, I’m equally terrified.”
“You are?” Adie asked, obviously surprised. “I didn’t think anything could scare you.”
“You terrify me. Losing you terrifies me. Confession time, when I found you in the lobby, I was heading upstairs to pack a bag. I was going to follow you to London.”
Adie’s big eyes slammed into his. “You were?”
He lifted his hand to stroke her cheekbone. “I was prepared to beg you into coming back with me.” He needed a clear answer, then he could breathe easily again. “Are you back, Adie?”
Adie nodded, tears in her eyes. Hunt was about to grab her, to haul her to him, when she held up her hand again. “You should know that I’m not good at being in a relationship, Hunt, but I’m going to try. I love you too much not to try and you’ve got to promise not to give up on me.”
He’d never give up on her. He started what he finished, as he now informed her.
Adie smiled at his reassurance, but he could tell that she still wasn’t convinced.
She hesitated before speaking again. “I’m not opposed to having a family, to kids, to making a solid commitment, but can we take it one step at a time? We’ve only known each other such a short time and it’s all gone so fast.”
Hunt considered her question and was about to tell her he’d give her as much time as she wanted when a small voice deep inside him told him not to. Trusting his instinct, he shook his head. “Nope, that’s not going to happen. I’m not going to give you any time to talk yourself out of this, to let your head override your heart.
“I want to get married, now, immediately. By New Year’s Eve at the latest. And then I want us to ditch the contraception,” Hunt added.
Adie’s mouth dropped open and she was the loveliest goldfish Hunt had ever seen. “No, Hunt, we can’t!”
Hunt smiled at her. “We can and we will. Come on, Adie, jump all in with me, take this massive leap of faith. Be bold, be courageous.”
Adie started to laugh.“Hunter...”
“Adie. Yes or no? Will you marry me immediately?” Hunt made sure she heard the serious question behind his smile. “Love me, sweetheart, and let me love you as you’ve never been loved before.”
Adie rested her fist against her lips. “You’re being serious.”
“Deadly,” Hunt said, desperate for an answer. “Well?”
He saw her haul in a breath and for one second, just one, he thought she might say no, but then her smile bloomed, her eyes danced and she lifted her shoulders in a carefree shrug. A low chuckle rumbled out of her. “What the hell...okay. Tie me up in knots, Sheridan, tie me up so tight that I can’t run. So tight that all I can do is love you.”
Hunt leaned forward and his lips brushed hers. “That’s all I want, Adie, is for you to love me.”
Adie draped her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes, love and desire and relief rolling through hers. “I do. So much.”
Hunt rested his forehead against hers, his hands still gripping her knees. “And I love you, darling. Welcome home.”
And, judging by her tender expression, Hunt knew she finally accepted that he—not this building or this city—was her home, with him was where she was meant to be.
Just like she was his soft place to fall.
It was, he decided, going to be an exceptionally good Christmas after all.