She pressed her lips together and replayed her outburst. Heat burned her cheeks as she realized that, yes, she had discussed them getting married and having children, all while saying that wasn’t going to work for her, when all he’d done was tell her Ethan had offered him a job.
“I have to go throw up,” she said, spinning toward the bathroom.
He reached for her and pulled her close. “You’re a handful—you know that.”
At least he wasn’t running, she told herself. So maybe she hadn’t scared him too much. His arms felt good around her. Warm and strong and safe.
He eased her toward the living room, then settled her on the sofa. He sat next to her, her hand in his, his gaze locked on her face.
“Let’s take your concerns one at a time,” he said.
“Oh, let’s not.” She touched her cheek with her free fingers. “I shouldn’t have said all that.”
He shook his head. “One of the things I admire most about you is how determined you are and how honest. You say what you think. I want you to be honest.”
He gave her a gentle smile. “I know your goals are important to you. I understand you need to be successful and I’m impressed you’re self-aware enough to know why. We’re both young, so there’s no reason to move fast in this relationship.”
“Are you talking emotionally or about sex?” she blurted out before she could stop herself. “Because I’m open to...”
Another blush flared.
His eyebrows rose. “Sex, huh?”
She thought about the back part of the thong digging into her butt. “You have no idea,” she muttered.
“Good. We’ll get to that in a second. But let’s finish up with my job offer. Do you love me?”
She bit her lip and gathered all her courage, then nodded slowly. Admitting it while calm was much scarier than announcing it in the heat of a rant.
“I love you, too. I think you’re the most intriguing woman I’ve ever met. But you need to focus on your business, and I need to get settled with Ethan. Why don’t we do this—we’ll date exclusively for the next three years. Then I’ll propose. We’ll be engaged for a year and get married when you’re twenty-eight.”
Emotions flooded her. Warm, happy feelings that had her blinking to hold back tears. “You’d do that for me?”
“I’d do anything for you, Fayrene. I’m going to spend the rest of my life proving that to you.”
She flung herself at him. He caught her and held her close. His mouth claimed hers with a kiss that promised her his heart. He slipped his hand to her knee and moved his fingers up the back of her thigh.
“Now about this sex thing,” he said, his voice teasing.
Then he reached the top of her thigh and the absence of panties. His whole body stiffened. She opened her eyes and found him staring at her. He swore under his breath.
“What are you wearing under that?”
She smiled. “I’m not sure I should tell you.”
“You could show me instead.”
“I suppose I could. But what about dinner?”
He stood and pulled her to her feet. “Dinner can wait,” he muttered as he guided her into the tiny hall and toward the only bedroom.
Later, when they’d made love and eaten the only slightly ruined dinner and had the wine, he took her in his arms again. “I don’t know how I got so lucky,” he told her. “Finding you like this.”
She smiled, bubbling with happiness. “It was all part of a plan.”
* * * * *
Susan Mallery
He won’t hesitate to put his life on the line…but will he ever risk his heart?
Falling for her best friend Justice Garrett was a high point in Patience McGraw’s otherwise awkward adolescence. Even after he disappeared, Patience never forgot the boy who captured her heart. Now he’s back in Fool’s Gold, California, and her passion for him is as strong as ever. But how can she trust that he won’t abandon her again—and her daughter, too?
When bodyguard Justice Garrett was a young man, witness protection brought him to this idyllic town and he never forgot its warmth, or the sweet beauty of his childhood friend. He’s returned to open an elite defense academy, and the Patience he once knew is all grown up. He can’t resist her smile, or her curves. But Justice’s past doesn’t make him husband, or father, material.
Patience and Justice think they’ll succumb to just one kiss…. Then one more… Okay, just one night together. But they might learn that falling in love is beyond anyone’s control.
Praise for New York Times bestselling author
“There’s a little fun, a little sizzle and a whole lot of homespun charm.”
—Publishers Weekly on Summer Nights
“Mallery infuses her story with eccentricity, gentle humor and small-town shenanigans, and readers…will enjoy the connection between Heidi and Rafe.”
—Publishers Weekly on Summer Days
“If you want a story that will both tug on your heartstrings and tickle your funny bone, Mallery is the author for you!”
—RT Book Reviews on Only His
“When it comes to heartfelt contemporary romance, Mallery is in a class by herself.”
—RT Book Reviews on Only Yours
“An adorable, outspoken heroine and an intense hero…set the sparks flying in Mallery’s latest lively, comic and touching family-centered story.”
—Library Journal on Only Yours
“Mallery...excels at creating varied, well-developed characters and an emotion-packed story gently infused with her trademark wit and humor.”
One of the Top 10 Romances of 2011! —Booklist on Only Mine
“Mallery’s prose is luscious and provocative.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Susan Mallery’s gift for writing humor and tenderness makes all
