He made a face as he unlocked the door. “Maybe one of those millionaire truffles, but otherwise, you are on your own.”

“Well, I’m going to leave that big box for Norma. She was very nice to me.”

He pushed the door open. “She will like that very much.”

They went inside. Grom lifted his head from where he’d been sleeping on the big leather sofa, eyed them sleepily, then dropped it down and went back to snoring.

Van shook his head, which she took to mean Grom wasn’t really allowed on the couch. “You know, you could give the chocolates to her yourself when you return, Monalisa.”

She occupied herself with taking off her coat. “Except we don’t know that I will return. In fact, we both know there’s a better chance I won’t. We’ve been pretending otherwise all night, and it’s been fun, but I’ve lived this life for thirty years. What are the real chances I’ll get free now?”

He started to say something, but frustration made her answer the question for him. “Slim to none. Those are my chances.”

He took the bag of chocolates into the kitchen and deposited them on the counter. “I know it must feel that way—”

“Yes, it does. Because it’s reality.” She smiled at him as best she could. “I appreciate your optimism, I really do, and tonight was wonderful, but I can’t keep pretending that we’re just jetting off to Vegas for a long weekend getaway.”

She turned to look out the window because she couldn’t meet him eye to eye right now. If she did, he’d see how much pain she was feeling. “My heart may never recover.”

“I am not leaving you there.”

She glanced back at him. He was standing in the kitchen, coat still on, looking as determined and handsome as she’d ever seen him. “So I come back here until my father summons me? And then what? I suffer until I can’t take it anymore? What’s the point of that?”

“Maybe he would not call you back.”

“He will. He always does.” A wave of sadness swept over her. “You don’t understand, Van. I’m falling in—”

She clamped her mouth shut. “I should go upstairs and pack.”

He was in front of her before she could take another step. “Monalisa.”

She shook her head. Her breath was stuck in her throat, and any moment she was going to break into a hot, ugly cry. “I can’t do this.”

“Please—”

“No.” She could barely get the word out.

“I love you.”

“I can’t stay because—” She jerked her head up to look at him. “What did you say?”

She’d heard him. She just couldn’t believe what he’d said. And she really wanted to hear it again.

“I love you.” He took her hands in his. “I know it is too soon for these words, but I cannot deny my heart. My dragon side cannot imagine being without you. And my human side agrees.”

She stared up at him, on the verge of becoming an emotional mess as she tried to sort her overwhelming feelings into words that would make sense. “Van…”

“I know that you do not feel the same. It is okay, zolotse. But I cannot go on without saying what is inside me.”

She wished she could say what was inside her, but words eluded her at the moment. Instead, she clasped her hands on his shoulders, leaned up, and kissed him, letting her mouth express what her brain could not.

He scooped her into his arms, kissing her back just as passionately. He pulled back to look into her eyes. “Does that mean you might love me someday too?”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You silly Russian. I love you right now.”

His smile was enormous. “You do?”

She nodded. “I do.”

“This is very good.” He kissed her again, just a quick one. “I’m going to buy our tickets.”

“That’s going to be hard to do with me in your arms.”

He laughed and set her down. “If there are seats available, we’ll leave tomorrow.”

She nodded, feeling the somberness return. “I’ll give you my father’s credit card to pay for mine.”

“No. I will pay for it. You need a clean break from him. It starts now.”

She crossed her arms. “Are you bossing me around?”

Crestfallen, he shook his head. “I would not do that.”

She grinned and gave him a playful tap on the arm. “I’m teasing you. And I understand what you’re saying, but those tickets are going to be expensive on such short notice. You should let him pay for this one last thing.”

“You will fight me on this?”

“I will.”

Van frowned. “Fine. But after this, I will take care of things. Until you are on your feet. Deal?”

She wasn’t crazy about being indebted to him, even if it was the kindest, most generous thing anyone had ever offered to do for her, but what else could she do? She’d be homeless without his help. “Deal.”

“Good.”

“But I’m paying you back.”

He shrugged. “Okay.”

She dug out her father’s credit card and turned it over to Van. “I’m going to pack.” She headed for the kitchen.

He jerked his thumb in the opposite direction as she walked past. “The bedroom is that way.”

“But the chocolate isn’t.” She took out the box of millionaire truffles and tucked it under her arm. “Don’t worry, I’ll save you one.”