"Yes," he said without hesitation.

When I didn't speak or otherwise budge, he moved closer and gently rested his hands on my shoulders. "I've felt a connection to you from the moment we met," he said, once again holding my gaze. "I was always planning to pick you." He moved his hands up to cradle my face, his touch incredibly tender.

"You were?" Emotion clogged my throat.

He nodded. "Yes. For my father's sake, I had to keep up the appearance of being ...