"Is it true? Do you really love me?"
"Does this answer your question?"
The fiery red-headed heroine barely had time to think before the handsome dark-haired hero took her face in his hands and smiled. He moved closer and closer to her until their lips met in a searing heat. The touch of his mouth on hers was all she needed to give into his passionate kisses.
No man had ever kissed her like this before and she knew that she'd finally found her one true love. For nothing could ever top this truly magical moment.
Daphne sighed deeply and clutched the worn romance novel to her chest. She didn't need to turn the page to know what happened next. She'd read the book so many times that she knew the story by heart.
All of her life she'd dreamed of experiencing such a scenario. A rich and handsome man sweeping her off of her feet and into his arms where his kisses and gentle touches could take away all of her fears.
But who was she kidding? Something like this would never happen to her. The closest she'd ever come to being kissed by a handsome man was last night when the younger Dr. Crane...
At the memory, her cheeks flushed and she was grateful that the elder Dr. Crane had a late meeting after work and then a date with a woman whom he was sure was "the one". And Mr. Crane was at Duke's watching the game, so he was sure to be gone for hours.
She could only imagine the comments she'd receive if they knew what had transpired here last night.
As a result of the storm, the power had gone out in widespread areas of Seattle. And in the sweetest gesture she could imagine, Niles had braved the winds and rain to drive all the way to the Elliot Bay Towers to make sure that she was safe.
It was as though he knew how frightened she was at such things. But how could he possibly have remembered?
She'd mentioned it ages ago, almost in passing when the news forecast had predicted a series of showers that threatened the entire West coast. Fortunately the weather predictions had been less than accurate and the stormy weather was reduced to intermittent showers with occasional sun breaks.
But the storm last night was horrific; howling wind, thunder, lightening and tree branches falling onto the balcony.
She shuddered remembering the moment the electricity had gone off, leaving the condo in complete blackness. Even the lights of the Seattle skyline (including the infamous Space Needle) were dark, making it feel like she'd fallen into a deep dark black hole.
Trying her best to keep calm, she thought about her brother Steven and how he used to comfort her during bad storms in Manchester.
Her other brothers would laugh at her, but not Steven. He was the one who made her feel the safest. And when she moved to America, she was certain that she'd lost that feeling forever.
Until last night that is.