that moment, he experienced unexpected joy that he could give her this. “You are the only woman I wanted. The only woman I’ll ever want.”
A lone tear that hovered on one of her lashes glistened in the candlelight.
“Some wine?” Lady Tannenbaum’s notorious cook appeared in the door.
Nick withdrew his hand and nodded. “Thank you.”
Eve stared down at her plate, nodding almost imperceptibly.
“Such a fine roast Mr. Rudolph sent over,” the cook commented. “Works out real well that he always makes too much.”
Eve jerked her head up. “There’s far too much for just the two of us.” She lifted the dish off the table. “Did you care for anymore, Nicholas?”
“I’ve everything I need right here. Thank you.” Because she was his everything. She always had been.
“Why don’t you take this back to the kitchen and have some for yourself?”
The cook hesitated. “What of your aunt?”
“I’m certain she has everything she needs as well.”
The older woman thanked Eve profusely, apologizing several times for the slightly overcooked condition of the lamb and, after being reassured emphatically by Eve, eventually backed out of the room. When the door closed behind her, Nick subdued his frustration by filling his lungs with a deep breath.
He’d moments ago declared to Eve that she was the only woman in the world for him. Where did he go from there?
“I love you.” Eve blurted the words so quickly that Nick wasn’t quite certain he’d heard right. She leaned forward in her chair. “And I trust you. I do. I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”
“You…”
“I love you, Nicholas St. Hope.” She drew her shoulders back and lifted her chin. “You’re the only man in the world for me.”
“Eve.” Nick practically dragged her out of her chair and into his arms. “I’ve waited so long to hear those words from you.” His throat felt thick, and he had to blink away the stinging in his eyes. “You mean it?”
She smiled up at him and nodded, and he couldn’t wait another second later to claim her mouth. He delved past her lips, his tongue exploring the tender flesh behind her teeth. He tasted her. Surrendered to her. Loved her.
And it wasn’t enough. Even as he deepened their kiss, he wanted to gaze into her eyes and hear her say those words over and over again. He drew back, satisfaction flowing through him as he took note of her lips, parted still, and shining.
“I love you, Eve.” And damn his eyes but he nearly felt like weeping. Saying the words again set him free. “I love you.”
Nick didn’t so much as move when she trailed her fingertips along the sides of his face.
“Are you afraid?” A tremble caught her voice. And he knew. She’d been very, very brave tonight.
“All my life, I lived fearlessly. I felt unstoppable, immortal. And then I met you. I now know what it feels like to lose you, so, yes. I’m bloody scared as hell. But as long as I have a chance at life with you at my side, I’ll face anything.” He covered her hands with his. “Are you afraid, love?”
“Yes.”
“But you trust me?”
She nodded. “I trust you, but…”
Nick leaned in so he could hear her.
“I find it difficult to trust life—to trust the world and God not to take all of this away.”
She’d lost so much over the past year. Nick kissed her forehead and held her against his chest.
“When I was little,” she began. “I remember hiding under my bed when a dreadful thunderstorm passed. Rain pounded the roof and slammed into the windows for what felt like hours. But my father found me, and he held me, and he promised that everything was going to be okay. In the morning, we woke up and the sun was shining, and the grass was green and sparkling… and he was right. I just want to feel that way again. I want to know more hope than fear.”
He clutched her more tightly against him, but her words caused a plan to begin forming in the back of Nick’s mind. Was it possible? He kissed the top of her head and ran his hands up and down her arms.
“I cannot speak for life, or the world, or God,” he murmured, “but I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy and keep you happy.” He sent up a silent prayer that he could do just that. “Even when things are difficult, I promise I’ll never give up on you or our children—”
“Or yourself?” She tilted her