“You came,” he said simply.
“Of course. It’s Christmas.” She walked toward him, the African night sky almost as magnificent as his princess. She wore the bracelets he’d given her, the bangles chiming against each other. Toe-to-toe, she stopped in front of him, the sweet scent and heat of her reaching out to him. “Where else would I be but with the man I l—”
He pressed a finger against her lips. “Wait, hold that thought. I have something I need to say first. I love you, Mariama Mandara. I’ve wanted you and yes, loved you, for longer than I can remember. And I will do whatever it takes to be worthy of your love in return.”
“Ah, Rowan, don’t you know? You’re already exactly what I need and everything I want. God knows, if you get any more saintly you’re likely to be raptured and I would miss you so very much. I love you, too.”
Relief flooded him, his heart soaking up every word like the parched ground around him absorbing a rain shower. Unable to wait another second, he hauled her to his chest and kissed her, deeply, intensely, hoping she really understood just how much he meant those words. He loved her. The truth of that sang through him as tangibly as the carols carrying gently through an open window.
Ending the kiss with a nip to his bottom lip, Mari smiled up at him. “I had a far more eloquent speech planned. I even practiced saying it on the way over because I wanted the words to be as special as what we’ve shared together.”
“I hope you trust I love you, too.” He only wished he had a more romantic way of telling her.
“I do. You showed me.” She tugged the ends of the stethoscope draped around his neck, her bracelets sliding along her arm. “I just needed to stop long enough to listen with my heart. And my heart says we’re perfect for each other. That we’re meant to be together.”
“Then why did we give each other such a hard time all these years?”
“We are both smart, dedicated people with a lot to offer, but we should be challenged. It makes us better at what we do.” She tugged his face closer, punctuating the words with a quick kiss. “And if I have my way, I’m going to challenge you every day for the rest of my life.”
“You have mesmerized me since the moment I first saw you.” Desire and love interlocked inside him, each spiking the other to a higher level.
“That’s one of the things I love most about you.” She toyed with his hair, which just brushed the collar of his scrubs.
“What would that be?” He looped his arms low around her waist.
“You think my baggy, wrinkled wardrobe is sexy.”
“Actually, I think peeling the clothes off of you is life’s most perfect pleasure.” He brought them closer together, grateful to have her in his arms, determined never to let this woman slip away from him again.
“Well, then, Dr. Boothe, let’s find somewhere private to go so you can unwrap your Christmas present.”