She reached for him, watching as her palm touched the damp scruff on his face.
"You're a mess," she told him.
"I'm on the mend." His eyes looked as wet as the rest of him when he fisted her silk shirt. His sodden hold was strained, as if he wanted to pull her to him but resisted. He only waited.
"You can rise from the ashes on your own, Reese."
His face fell. He gave her a sad nod and released her shirt. As much as it hurt, she backed away from him, and waved good-bye. This time, for real.
She heard him stand, the shift of material as he walked behind her. When she reached the doorway, he spoke.
"I found home with you."
She turned. He stood, arms at his sides, shoulders slumped. She never thought she'd see Reese Crane look dejected.
"Home was a safe place when my mom was alive. Then she died and I never found it again. Not with dad and my brothers. Family, trust, love, yes. But not home. That place you feel safe naked." He gave her a slight eyebrow lift. "Figuratively."
Her lips flinched the slightest bit.
"The mansion was never more than a place to live. Once I left it behind and moved to the hotel, I forgot about needing a space where I could be me." He dipped his chin and walked closer to her. "Until you."
She didn't retreat. Not this time.
"We built more than a business, Merina. We accomplished more than fooling the world. We made a house into a home. I want that with you. But this time, a safe space for both of us."
"To be naked," she said.
"Preferably."
She smiled, just a small one.
"Come home with me, Merina." He tipped her chin. "For tonight. For good."
He bled sincerity. And her heart couldn't deny that what he'd said was the truth.
They had built a home together.
Her life hadn't made sense for weeks, but instantly, the fog cleared. She could see clearly. She could see him. See them. She wrapped her arms around his waist and felt a rush of air leave his lungs in a grateful huff as he folded her against him.
"Come back." he said against her hair, his voice tight. "Come back and I swear I'll spend the rest of my life making this up to you.
She lifted her face and saw the love reflected in his eyes. Beneath the suited sewer rat, there was a man. The man she'd fallen in love with. The man she'd never recover from no matter how long he stayed away.
"Okay."
"Okay?" His smile was cautious. Adorably unsure. He blinked back what looked like tears as her own eyes blurred with them.
He squeezed her close and she could feel how right this was, how right they were together. She knew him. She believed in him.
"Come on, Crane," she said. "Take me home."
Epilogue
Rumpled and sexy, Reese's head rested on the pillow, his firm mouth smiling. The Chicago sun was shining, bouncing off the fresh blanket of snow in the backyard. Merina had climbed out of bed and taken the robe off the Van Heusen doorknob now hanging on the wall like a hook. She stood at the sliding doors looking out at the pool and beyond from their first-floor bedroom.
She turned and squared her fingers, framing him.
"What are you doing?" Reese propped his head on his hand.
"Hashtag love of my life," she said.
"Get in here." His smile widened.
She hopped to the bed, sliding into white sheets and into his warm, waiting arms.
"Let's see it," he said.
She lifted her left hand, turning her fingers so he could see the engagement ring he put on her finger last week. On State Street. When they met her parents there to ice skate and celebrate their very special anniversary.
"I can't wait to marry you." He kissed her knuckles. "Again." He threaded their fingers together, pressing their palms flat and leveling her with a heated, sincere gaze.
She leaned in and kissed his nose.
"Thank you." He kissed her lips.
"For?"
"For making me." He tugged her closer as they lay side by side. "They say behind every good man is a strong woman."
"I think the saying goes 'Behind every good man is a woman rolling her eyes.'"
"Well, I was close."
She held her index finger and thumb an inch apart.
He moved in to kiss her again and she interrupted with, "Oh! I forgot to tell you."
He pulled his chin back to focus on her.
"I decided to have a team of decorators tackle that whitewashed lobby of Crane Hotel."
"You what?"
"Bo-ring," she sang. "When they're done, your glass and stone shrine will be Bohemian and full of personality."
"I don't like personality." His mouth turned down.
Enjoying teasing him, she rolled out of bed. "I should confirm we would like the tapestries after all." She tapped her lips and pretended to think. "And the beaded curtains."
"Merina, you'd better be kidding." He threw the sheets aside and stood.
She backed across the room as she continued. "Do you think the addition of bean bag chairs in the lobby is too much?"
A hint of a smile curved the stubble around his mouth, making her grow warm and her heart leap. He knew she was kidding.
"Only if you promise to have a Tarot reader present on Saturdays. No live chickens, though, it'll freak out the suits." He caught her, fisting the knot in her robe and pulling her close.
"I had you going, admit it." She laughed.
"I'll admit nothing."
"You'll tell me everything, Reese Crane." She wrapped her arms around his neck as he splayed one wide palm over her back.
"Let's try you saying my name again." He put his lips against hers and murmured, "Only this time louder, and with more enthusiasm."
This time her laughter was joined by his. She kissed his smile. Her husband—er, soon-to-be husband—in her home. Their home.
She ran her fingers through his hair but when she met his gaze, she found him looking scarily serious.
"I love you, Merina Van Heusen."
Her chest expanded as she pulled in a breath, that same breath clogging her throat.