Page 205 of Micah

I don't give either of us time to panic.

I cup her face between my hands and kiss her.

Slow.

Careful.

Like I'm sealing a promise instead of stealing one.

When I pull back, she's still staring at me.

Completely stunned.

Her mouth opens.

Closes.

Opens again.

No words come out.

I smile despite myself.

“Be a good girl for me, Princess.”

My forehead brushes hers for the briefest second.

I give her one last soft kiss.

Then, because if I stay another minute I'm liable to forget every responsibility waiting for me back at the ranch, I gently nudge her toward the doorway.

“Go on.”

She doesn't move.

“Micah...”

There's wonder in her voice.

Disbelief.

Hope.

Enough hope to make a man dream dangerous dreams.

“I'll be back before you know it.”

Finally, she nods.

A slow smile spreads across her face.

The kind that starts in her eyes.

The kind I'd spend the rest of my life earning if she'd let me.

She squeezes my hand once before disappearing back inside.

I stand there like an idiot for another second, watching the door after it's already closed.