Chapter 48: Chapter 48

When I wake up the next morning, Evans is in the shower. I lay there for a moment, enjoying the feeling of happiness. I don't know how I've gone my whole life sleeping without him next to me. I haven't slept that well in such a long time.

I decide to freshen up, so I get out of bed and go to my room where I brush my teeth and wash my face. My hair is loose around my shoulders as I make my way to the kitchen.

"It smells really good," I tell Bellina

She smiles when she sees me. "Good morning, Ms. Damien Breakfast is ready, would you like me to serve you?"

I nod, suddenly famished. "Yes, please." I sat down at the table. "Thanks," I say when she places the plate in front of me. An omelet with pancakes. It's been a while, so I decide I deserve a small cup of coffee and serve myself one. "I missed you," I whisper to the cup as I bring it to my lips.

I hear a chuckle and look up. Evans is standing there, looking amused. "What are you doing?" he asks.

I feel my face get red. "Can we pretend you didn't see that?"

He chuckles and then leans over me. "And here I thought I was the only one you missed around here." He plants a kiss on my cheek, taking me by surprise. He smells like aftershave and toothpaste. I realized that he shaved, and I decided to take that as a good sign.

I glance at Bellina sheepishly, but she just smiles and pretends she didn't notice. I busy myself with the food and start eating. Evans sits right across from me though, so it's hard not to look at him. He is wearing black pants with a black button-down shirt that somehow makes his blue eyes stand out. He looks like he's going to a funeral, yet he somehow makes it look so casual and handsome as hell. He is fixing the watch on his wrist when Bellina serves him a plate.

There is a moment of silence and I reach for my cup of coffee.

"I'm going to get started with cleaning," Bellina suddenly says to Evans. "Please call me if you need anything."

Evans nods. "Thank you, Bellina"

Bellina smiles at me, then heads down the hallway, leaving me alone with him.

"I've never seen you look so interested in food," Evans teases moments later.

I look up, feeling nervous. "It is actually very interesting."

He rests his arms on the table and leans over it. "More interesting than me?" he says in a sexy voice.

Oh God. Could he get any hotter?

I laugh nervously, then clear my throat and look at him. "I wanted to apologize..."

"What for?" he asks, leaning back on his chair.

"For being an idiot, I guess." I sigh. "I'm sorry for everything...sorry I hurt you."

"Yeah well you aren't exactly the only one to blame  Ciara. I—" he sighs, then stands up, walks around the table, and sits next to me. He reaches out and puts a strand of hair behind my ear. "You know I love you...and I... realized that I wasn't doing my best to show you how much I love you. I was holding back, and I almost lost you because of that."

“Evans I—"

"Please let me finish. I don't know any other way to say it so I'm just going to say it." He pauses. "I know I'm a shitty person, I know I don't deserve half of the things I have but I also know that I love you. You made me want to have a family again, Ciara. I love you and I want to form this family with you. You coming back to me...it must mean you have cleared your unresolved feelings for me?"

I smile. "I did, yes."

"And?"

"And... I love you too."

He presses his lips against mine, kissing me in desperation. As if it was the last kiss we are ever going to have. I place my hand on his cheek. He bites my lower lip softly and then pulls away and looks at me. "Does this mean you accept my proposition?"