She read the message quickly, realizing that he was saying he wanted more. Although she wanted the same thing desperately, it just wasn’t possible. She started to sob as she typed back a quick reply.
Evan,
Being together permanently isn’t practical. I’m a prostitute’s daughter, Evan. I was a street kid. You’re a very powerful man, and people would love to get that kind of gossip to make your life miserable. I can’t do that to you, no matter how much I care.
After she sent her reply, Randi knew she should sign off. Her emotions were drained, and she had her answer. It was more surprising than she’d ever imagined. Evan cared about her so much he had been afraid he couldn’t measure up in person to the man he’d been while she was writing to him. For such a complicated man, his emotions were simple. He had been afraid to tell, terrified of being rejected.
Evan shot back an email moments later.
Randi,
Bullshit! Do you think I give a flying fuck about what other people think? Your past has made you who you are, and I love everything about you. I’d change your childhood if I could, but only because nobody was there for you except your foster parents. Contemplating all of the things that could have happened to you rips my heart out every time I think about it.
“Evan loves me,” Randi told Lily, stroking the golden head that was currently plopped in her lap. Lily’s ears seemed to prick up as though she recognized Evan’s name, her nose twitched interestedly, and her tail thumped a couple of times before she laid her head back down.
Randi’s heart started beating so hard and fast that it was pounding in her ears. She wrote back.
Evan,
We can talk next time you’re in town. Maybe we just need some time to think about this before we jump into anything stupid. Since you’re already on the way to your meeting in San Francisco, we can spend some time thinking about if we can manage to work this out.
Randi felt like she needed to give Evan an out, an opportunity to think about who he was getting seriously involved with before he made declarations he might regret. Distance and time wouldn’t change the way she felt about him; she’d just miss him more.
“Did you seriously think I was going anywhere? I’m going to convince you to marry me before you have a chance to think about what a jerk you’re committing yourself to—even if I have to drag your gorgeous ass up the aisle.”
The masculine voice behind her made Randi gasp and swing around in her chair. There at the door to the bedroom was the man of her dreams, his shoulder propped against the doorframe, the cell phone he’d been using to communicate with her in his hand, and a stubborn look in his eyes. “Hello, my mystery friend,” he said in a husky, seductive voice. “I’m glad we could finally meet in person.”
Randi’s heart melted and her tears started all over again.
CHAPTER 22
“What are you doing here?” Randi’s vision was blurred from crying, but her tears were of joy rather than pain. “Your meeting—”
“Wasn’t important to me,” Evan finished for her. “Sweetheart, what do I have to do to make you understand that nothing means a damn thing without you?”
“Will they reschedule?” She knew Evan had wanted this deal pretty badly.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t ask, and it doesn’t matter. All I want is to hear that you forgive me for being an asshole.”
Randi knew Evan was serious. He’d blown off a huge deal just because he cared about her. “Your plane left. I saw it take off when I was running this morning.”
“It was Julian. He had to get back to California, so I let him use the jet since I’m not going anywhere in the near future.”
She swallowed hard. “You’re not?”
“No.”
He looked exhausted, his expression weary. He hadn’t shaved this morning, and his jawline was dark. “Are you okay?” she asked, concerned.
“No. I got drunk for the first time last night, and I didn’t sleep. All I could think about was you and how much I love you.” He pushed upright, tossed his phone carelessly on a small table, and came slowly toward her, his eyes a stormy sea of desire, possessiveness, and intensity.
Randi stood up as Lily circled Evan excitedly, whining for attention. Evan stroked the dog’s head, making her go into fits of ecstasy.
“Did you say that you loved me?” Randi asked, not able to take her eyes off Evan’s face.
“It’s either love or madness. I’m thinking it must be love that produces some type of insanity. I’ve watched Hope and all of my brothers go through the same thing. I never knew I could feel like this,” he told her in a raw, hoarse voice, finally getting close enough to wrap his arms around her.
Coming from Evan, the declaration was enchanting and magical. He sounded tortured and relieved at the same time. Randi wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly, riding the wave of emotions along with him as they clutched each other like they never wanted to let go.
“I love you, Evan, so much that it hurts,” she admitted as she sobbed into the gorgeous sweater he was wearing. He looked amazing in a pair of jeans and jade wool. It made her wish she was dressed in something nicer than jeans and an old college sweatshirt.
She knew she was a mess, but Evan didn’t seem to care. He just held her tighter, swept her up in his arms, and carried her out to the living room. He sat on the couch and cuddled her on his lap.
“Don’t cry. I don’t want it to hurt because you love me.” His voice was pleading and husky with emotion.
“They’re happy tears,” she rushed to explain. “It doesn’t hurt. It feels wonderful.”
“Then marry me, Randi. I want you to feel wonderful for the rest of your life, and I’ll give you whatever you want to make you stay that way. God knows you’ve shown me a happiness I never knew existed. I need you.”
Tilting her head, she looked into his eyes and saw her future. “I don’t need things to make me happy, Evan. I just need you.” He didn’t realize it yet, but she needed him just as much as he needed her. Fate had brought him into her life at a time when she’d really needed to not feel so alone. Destiny had brought her something special, a man she loved—heart, body, and soul.
“We have to talk about marriage,” Randi said cautiously. She wanted to say yes with every fiber of her being, but it was a big step for both of them.
“No talk,” he growled. “Say yes or I’ll lose it,” he warned her dangerously.
She straddled his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “What happens if I don’t?” she asked curiously.