Madison’s breath hissed between her clenched teeth. “Meddlesome pain in the ass.”
He leaned toward her, resting his forearm on the center console as he carefully monitored her expressive face.
“Why are you here, Maddy?”
She gave a shake of her head, her braid brushing her shoulder. “It’s none of your business.”
“What would it take to make it my business?” he asked, reaching to grasp the braid and tug the band off the end.
“I…” She licked her dry lips, looking incredibly young and vulnerable as the morning sunlight streamed through the windshield. “Don’t understand.”
His heart twisted, the familiar affection he’d always felt for this woman deepening into a richer, more lasting emotion.
Avoiding her wary gaze, Luc concentrated on unraveling her hair from the braid. “When I caught sight of you last night it all became clear.”
“What did?”
“Why I could never commit to another woman.” He unraveled the last of the braid and combed his fingers through the satin softness. His breath caught as a fierce arousal slammed into him. Oh…man. Just being near this woman was enough to make him hard with need. The sooner he had her in his arms, the better. “And why I kept such a close watch on your career,” he continued, leaning even closer. “And why I felt as if I’d been living my life in black and white until you walked onto that balcony and filled the night with beauty.”
He was near enough to see her eyes darken at his soft words. Of course, her expression remained stubbornly defensive.
Nothing about Madison Philips would ever be easy.
And he didn’t give a shit.
He would give whatever necessary to make her happy.
“Did you practice that?” she tried to mock, grimacing as her words came out as a husky whisper.
“You want it in simple terms?” he asked, his expression somber. “I never stopped regretting walking away from you. And now that you’re back I’m never letting you go again.”
Her lips parted at his blunt warning, the pulse at the base of her neck fluttering at a rapid beat.
“Luc.”
Luc sucked in a deep breath. It was now or never.
Unless he overcame his aversion to making himself vulnerable, then she was going to walk away.
“I love you, Maddy.”
The hazel eyes widened, her shock tangible in the close confines of the car. “You can’t,” she breathed.
He lifted his brows. “I can’t?”
She gave a restless shrug. “You barely know me.”
Luc gave a laugh at her ridiculous words.
“I’ve known you all my life,” he reminded her, able to recall the precise minute he’d glanced down the hall of their school to see those big, beautiful hazel eyes focused on him. At the time he hadn’t understood why he’d felt as if he’d been struck by lightning. Or why he’d always checked the stands before he jogged onto the football field to make sure she was seated in her familiar spot. He’d always been aware that she was a constant backdrop in his life. “I know you have a generous heart despite the hardships you were forced to endure, you have endless courage, and an independent spirit that I deeply admire.” His fingers slid out of her hair to lightly trace the line of her stubborn jaw. “Everything else we’ll discover during our future together.”
She shivered beneath his light caress, but she made no protest to pull away. “Future?”
He leaned forward, pressing a soft, lingering kiss on her lips. “A very long future.”
Her hands lifted to lie against his chest, her breath coming in tiny pants between her parted lips.
“Are you asking me to…” She had to stop to clear her throat. “To marry you?”