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Once again he studied her. “Okay.” He said the word slowly almost as a question and Mindy walked off before he did ask one.

“Won’t be but a minute.”

When Mindy returned to the living room, her stomach was in knots, her knees barely kept her upright. That she was fighting back tears before the man even started his “since I’m moving, we should just end it” speech, Mindy waterworks were a huge possibility.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Eric stood and took the wine glasses from her, placed them on the coffee table and pulled her against him for a hug.

Whatever expensive cologne he wore made her take a deep breath. She loved the way he smelled. Eric’s finger combed through her hair and he cupped her chin and kissed her. The warmth of his lips soothed every part of her. When he suckled at her bottom lip, a soft moan escaped and Mindy relaxed against him.

“I can never get enough of you,” Eric mumbled against her mouth. “You’re the reason I can’t leave.”

Mindy pushed back, suddenly aware of what he’d just said. “What do you mean?”

“I turned the job down. I have too much going on here. If Tobias moves to Billings, my uncle asked if I want to take over at the ranch.”

So he wasn’t going to repeat what he’d said at first. “What about what you want? What makes you happy?” Mindy’s brain was screaming for her to shut up. Less than five minutes earlier, she was about to dissolve into hysterics over him leaving and now, for some stupid reason, she wanted to argue that he’d chosen to stay.

“Mindy.” Eric kissed her again. It was hard to kiss him and not wish for it to linger. “Look at me,” he persisted. “What’s wrong with you? You don’t want me to stay?”

Tugging at his hands, she bit her bottom lip before speaking. “Sit down, let’s toast.”

Her eyes locked on his, she held up her glass. “I celebrate your decision. The reason I’ve been a bit off today is that I was expecting you to dump me, to end things.”

The corners of his lips curved up. “If anything, I was trying to figure out how to convince you to come with me. With our relationship being so new, I figured you’d turn me down.”

“Seriously?” Mindy blinked back tears. “I would have said yes. I am in love with you, Eric.”

He looked down and Mindy wanted to kick herself. Had she really just blurted out that she loved him? Now he was probably figuring out how to respond and not hurt her feelings.

Eric blew out a breath and stood up. Mindy wasn’t sure what to do, so she stood, too. “You don’t have to leave. I understand if you feel differently. I mean we’ve just started dating. Only slept together once…”

“Shut up,” Eric said, bringing his mouth over hers. Pulling her against him, she was instantly aware that he was fully aroused as his erection pressed into her stomach. Mindy wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him tighter against her.

Eric pulled back and lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes. Then taking a step back, he reached for his jacket.

Mindy wasn’t sure whether to stare at his face or the huge bulge in his pants. Why was he getting his jacket? Did he just tell her to shut up? This was the most confusing evening.

“Every relationship moves at a different pace. I’ve been in love with you for years, Mindy. I was a coward who didn’t trust myself to say the right thing. I hate how long I prolonged finally asking you out.” He took out a small velvet box from his jacket. “Marry me.”

If her eyes could’ve fallen out of their sockets they would have. But thankfully, they were tethered.

“Yes!” Mindy threw herself against him with so much force they tumbled onto the couch.

Within minutes, there was a trail of clothing from the living room to her bedroom and Mindy could not contain what she felt. So much so that she began to cry, making Eric immediately pull away and look down at her.

“Did I hurt you?”

She shook her head, embarrassed by the outburst of emotion. “No. I’m happy.”

His lips quivered at the corners just a bit. “You’ll have to tell me what to do in instances like this.”

“Kiss me.”

His mouth was instantly over hers, the taste of him mingling with the saltiness of her tears. He felt so very good, the weight of him atop her, the anchor she’d been missing for so long.

“I want to make love until morning,” he mumbled in her ear. Mindy sighed, sliding her hands down his back to cup his firm butt.

“My sentiments exactly.”

She’d never tire of his kisses, his touch and the wonderful way they fit together.

“You feel so perfect,” she whispered as he thrust into her.