Dax hadn’t planned this. In fact, he’d told himself all last night and all this morning that he would leave her be. She clearly needed space, and he did too. Heck, he couldn’t tell his top from his bottom he was so addled by these new, raging, all-consuming emotions.

After an early breakfast, he’d set out for his chores, intent on keeping himself busy for both their sakes.

But then he’d seen her, looking so beautiful with her hair down and wearing casual clothes. It didn’t matter what she wore or how her hair was styled. Heck, she could wear a sack and have a mud mask on her face and he’d see her beauty. Her kind of beauty was so much more than skin-deep.

She nearly glowed with kindness and her body hummed with energy and determination, honesty and empathy.

How had he not seen that on the plane?

Probably because she hadn’t wanted him to see. She’d hid herself from him behind that ice queen mask. He hadn’t seen that Katy since…well certainly not since their first kiss.

And now it was easy to forget she’d ever existed. He looked over to where she was sitting beside him, the wind from the open window tossing her hair around her face. He kept sneaking glances of this miraculous site. Who knew how long he’d have with her? He needed to enjoy every moment.

Because he didn’t have a game plan, he set out to his favorite place on the ranch—an overlook that had an amazing view of the property and where eagles regularly soared overhead. He helped her out and they sat side by side, in silence at first, and then quietly talking.

For a man who rarely opened up to people, he hardly recognized himself. They talked for hours out on that ledge, about their futures, about their hopes, their dreams, their families, the expectations and responsibilities they faced.

They talked about everything under the sun…except for their relationship, or lack thereof.

It seemed she was just as loathe to discuss their parting as he was, and he didn’t press the issue. So, they talked about life in general until their hunger set in and he drove her back to the main house.

No one was around so he fixed them an early dinner and they set out once more, for a walk this time. He showed her around but this time there was no sightseeing. Well, she might have taken in the sights, but all he could see was her.

They were sitting under an oak tree and listening to a babbling brook as the sun began to set. The sky turned a brilliant shade of pink and the clouds seemed to come together just to dazzle them with their display.

They grew quiet as the sun sank beneath the horizon.

“I should probably lead you back before it gets too dark,” he said.

She nodded, but the happy aura around them seemed to have faded along with the sun. Their time was coming to an end and they both knew it.

They walked back slowly, dragging their feet. When they reached her doorstep he found himself in the same predicament as the night before. He had no words. Nothing seemed right.

Nothing about this situation seemed right.

He stopped beside her as they reached the entrance. He couldn’t explain the feeling that came over him, not even to himself. It was some sort of crazy desperation. It was as though his body, mind, and heart were crying out for him to do something—anything.

Just don’t let this woman go.

But it wasn’t as though he could make her stay, and he wouldn’t want her to. She deserved every happiness in life.

He just wished that happiness included him.

Instead of words, he reached out for her, holding her tight in his arms and relishing the feel of her burrowing into his chest as if she too were trying with all her might to hold on to this—this moment, this connection, this…love.

There was no denying it now, not to himself and not to her.

He wavered for a moment. He didn’t want to manipulate her into staying longer or doing anything else she didn’t want to do.

But, at the same time, she deserved to know. Love was meant to be shared.

He pulled back slightly and tilted her face up so he could see into her big blue eyes. “Katy Hunter, I love you.”

She gasped, her eyes growing wide. But she didn’t speak.

He felt his heart clench painfully in response, but he didn’t push it. She might not feel the same, and even if she did, he hadn’t told her so she would say it in return.

He’d said it because it needed to be said.

He’d said it because it was the truth.

He’d said it because he knew deep down that a feeling like this came along once in a lifetime. Even if it wasn’t meant to last, he would cherish it always. And she deserved to know that.

Finally her startled look faded and he ached at the sight of her anguish. In her eyes he saw her confusion, her longing…he saw her love.

She loved him too, whether she admitted it or not.

“I—I—I don’t know what to say.” Her eyes were pleading with him and he forced a small smile of understanding.

“There’s nothing to say,” he said.

She pressed her lips together and he struggled with a feeling of helplessness as tears filled her eyes. Finally, she said, “I wish there was a way this could work.”

He nodded. “Me too.”

But there wasn’t, that was her subtext. That was what went unsaid, because they both knew it.

Still, that desperate feeling inside him wouldn’t go away. He felt unsettled, restless. He felt like this woman was going to take her heart with him when she walked away. It was that thought that made him speak again.

Maybe he shouldn’t have, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. “I want you to stay.”

Her eyes widened again and he wanted to kick himself for saying it. But at the same time, he would have kicked himself if he hadn’t said it.

“I—” She stopped abruptly and clamped her mouth shut.

He reached for her hands and squeezed. “I know. I know I have no right to say it and no right to ask, but I had to.”

She nodded.

Reaching up, she placed her hands on his chest and gave him a kiss that he would remember for the rest of his life. She told him she loved him without saying a word.

When she came back down on her heels and opened her eyes, she gave him a small smile. “I’ll come say goodbye in the morning.”