Because You Are Mine (Because You Are Mine #1)(106)

“I love you,” she said.

He captured her chin with his fingers and lifted her face to his. He brushed his finger over her jaw. She noticed his frown as he studied her.

“What’s wrong?” she whispered.

“I didn’t give myself permission to fall in love with you.”

She laughed softly when she absorbed his starkly spoken words. So like him to say something like that. Love swelled in her breast, so great and so pure, it verged on pain. “You can’t control everything, Ian, least of all this. Does that mean that you do? Love me?” she asked hesitantly.

“I think I might have loved you even before we met, since I first realized it was you who captured me on canvas . . . you who treated my pain with such a knowing hand. It shamed me, what you saw, but I couldn’t help but want you to see more of me. You’re too good for me,” he declared roughly. “And I’m sure I don’t deserve you. But you’re mine, Francesca. And for what it’s worth . . . I’m yours. For as long as you’ll have me.”

The words rattled and rocked her world, setting her off balance. But then his mouth settled on hers, and she found her center.