"I'm in love with you, Chloe Bennett ." He leans in and kisses me slowly. His tongue swipes through my open lips with such emotion that I get a lump in my throat. "I can't help it. I tried to stop it, but I couldn't. I think I've loved you since our first night together in Boston. You stayed with me. I fought it, and still, I couldn't forget you. I've been carrying your scarf around like a lovesick fool for more than a year."
I stare at him.
"So please forgive me if I want to go full steam ahead. This is not a snap decision. It's been coming for a long time, and now that I'm in a position to act on it, I don't want to waste any more time. I want you with me. By my side."
I stare at him while my brain catches up. What the . . . ? Holy s**t.
He picks up his knife and fork. "Now I'm goin
