RICHMOND AND KAYLA LAY IN bed with the lights off, watching television, several hours later. Giving her a heart-tendering stare, he draped an arm about her shoulder and drew her to his side. When Kayla settled a hand to his chest over his nipple, he kissed her forehead. A little chilly, she clenched the soft linen and eased it up her legs to bunch around her shoulders.
Tucked into Richmond’s strong embrace, both joy and worry consumed her. He’d just made the best love to her tonight. They’d even decorated the Christmas tree together like one big happy family, and he’d yet to say he loved her.
Snuggled into his side, love blossomed like a flower inside her beating heart for Richmond. Kayla had to admit, she’d fallen madly in love with him, though she couldn’t help but wonder if he returned the same feelings as her. Well, more than likely he didn’t love her, because if he did, he would’ve said it by now. Longing to hear those three words, I love you, her heart ached.
What difference did it make anyways? He’d probably never love her like he’d loved Salina. Salina had been the love of his life, and he’d always have a special place for her in his heart. Which he should. After all, Salina was the mother of his daughter, Isabelle.
Although Salina had given birth to Isabelle, Kayla had grown to love the darling little girl as if she were her own. Isabelle loved her, too. Remembering how Isabelle had said she wanted Santa to give her a mommy for Christmas, joy bubbled inside Kayla’s chest. She wants me to be her mother. Ahh, that’s so sweet.
“Kay,” Richmond said, giving the ball of her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
Snuggling closer into him, she writhed. “Yes.”
“Are you awake?”
“Yes.”
“Sit up for a moment. There’s something I want to ask you.”
Pressing a hand to his chest, Kayla eased up in bed beside him. Seeing the serious expression on his face, she prayed he was finally getting ready to proclaim his undying love for her. “What is it, Richmond?” Say it. Please tell me how much you love me. I need to hear you say it.
“I have something I want to ask you.”
“Okay. I’m listening.” Was is possible that he was about to ask her to marry him?
“We’ve been spending a lot of time together, and we’ve known each other for quite some time now. And well, I don’t want to be just friends anymore,” he said with quiet emphasis.
Me either! “Well, what do you want to be?”
“I want you to be my woman.” About time! “I want you and CJ to move in here with me.” Whoa! “Will you do that for me, Kay? Nothing would please me more than to have you and CJ here with Isabelle and me.” He caressed the pad of his thumb over her cheek.
The answer she was about to give him tore her apart inside. “Oh, Richmond. I’d love to move in here with you, but I can’t.”
Frowning, Richmond’s hand left her face to fall to his lap. His brows scrunched with disbelief. “Oh. Why not?”
“Because, I don’t think you’re ready.”
His lips twisted wryly. “How can you tell me what I want? I know what I want, Kay. I know I want you.”
“I never said you didn’t want me. I said you’re not ready for CJ and me to move in.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because this house has so many memories, Richmond. Memories of your wife, Salina. You custom built this home for her. You won’t even sleep inside your own master suite. Night after night, you sleep in here, inside the guest bedroom. As much as I love you, I refuse to live like that.” Ooops. She’d slipped and said she loved him. Waiting to hear him say the words back, her heart pounded against her breast bones so hard, she thought it’d pop out of her chest and jump onto his.
Instead of uttering he loved her back, he settled his back against the headboard, placed his hands behind his head, and crossed his legs at the ankles. His dark eyes shifted from her face to the television. “The nerve of you to tell me how I feel.”
“You’re right, I shouldn’t tell you how you feel. You tell me how you feel, then. Tell me why you want me?” Tell me what you like about me. Tell me you’re madly in love me. Can’t live without me. Desperate to hear those three words, a misty sheen covered her eyes.
“Fine. Don’t move in, then. We can just stay friends,” he snapped.
Angry, Kayla flung back the covers and hopped out of bed. Wagging her finger at him, he jerked his head back. “Until you can tell me how you feel, I guess we’ll always be just friends!” Fuming, she started for the door.
He leapt out of bed. “Where are you going?”
“Home!”
“Fine. Just leave! See if I care.”
Kayla paused in the doorway. Infuriated, she spun. Eyes narrowing, her hands turned to fists. She stomped her foot. “And I quit, too!”
Muscles flickered in both Richmond’s jaws. “You can’t quit!”
“Why can’t I? I just did!” She whirled. Kayla quickly got dressed, ran upstairs and got CJ, and the two of them went to their own freaking home.