Page 55 of Keeping Zita

“Hey, you could live in Hawaii,” he joked.

But Zita didn’t crack even the smallest smile.

“Sorry. You’re right. It sucks. Because when you find someone you click with, someone you enjoy spending time with, and with whom you want to spend more time, it’s awful to think you might not be able to do that. And I don’t have any answers for you, Zita. All I know is that I’ve never felt the way I do right now. I’ve never looked at a woman and seen my future reflected back in her eyes.

“And how will that work? I have no clue. But I’ll do whatever it takes to at least see if what we’ve got can last. Long-distance relationships suck, but I’m willing to try if you are.”

Zita’s heart nearly stopped beating in her chest. She forgot to breathe as she stared up at Sage. He wasn’t touching her, simply sitting next to her, gazing into her eyes, but she felt their connection as clear as day.

“We don’t know what the future holds. I could get injured and chaptered out of the Army. I’d then be free to move wherever I wanted. Or you could get sick of Hollywood and take a chance by moving to the East Coast.”

“I’m already sick of Hollywood,” she whispered.

He looked at her for a moment, taking that in before nodding. “All I’m saying is that everything in me is screaming to not let you go. To make every effort to see where things between us can go.”

Zita swallowed hard. This man was way braver than she was. Putting his thoughts and feelings out there so plainly. But then again, he was already an honest-to-God hero. She shouldn’t be surprised at his bravery.

“That’s part of the reason why I needed some space this morning. You’re too nice. Too perfect. Too…everything.”

“Where you’re concerned, there is no ‘too nice.’ I want to give you the world, Zita. And if that comes in the form of a simple omelet and a sugary coffee, I’ll bend over backward to present it to you on a golden platter.”

“And what do you get in return?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“Are you kidding?”

“Um…no?” She didn’t understand why he sounded so incredulous.

“I get your giggles, your smiles, your kindness, your desire to help others, your honesty, your sexiness, your kisses…I get you, Zita.”

Suddenly, she couldn’t bear the idea of seeing this man walk out of her room. She was way too tired to initiate sex or anything intimate, but she wanted him near. Needed him near.

“Will you stay tonight? Not for sex, but just…sleep?”

“I have one question before I’ll answer that,” Sage said.

Zita nodded and stared up at him, wondering what in the world he could want to know before agreeing to stay the night with her.

“Do you want to see where this goes after filming is over? Can you possibly see a future between us?”

“That was two questions,” she whispered, her heart beating hard in her chest.

Sage lifted a brow in response.

Feeling as if she was stepping off the end of the ten-meter platform at the university where she sometimes swam back at home, Zita said, “Yes.”

“Then I’d love to stay. Can I run to my room and change into sweats, brush my teeth, then come back?”

“Of course.”

“You can change your mind while I’m gone,” he said, proving once more what a good man he was.

“I won’t. Take my key so you can let yourself back in when you’re ready.”

He studied her for a long moment, then leaned down.

Zita anticipated his kiss, but he merely brushed his lips against her forehead. “I’ll be right back. Sleep if you want. I won’t disturb you when I get back.”

“Okay.” As if he’d said the magic words, Zita suddenly couldn’t keep her eyes open. She was exhausted, her belly was full, and the man she was head over heels for was going to sleep next to her. Her mind and body were as satisfied as they could get…for the moment.