“What are you doing with that?” Her hands flew to her hips as three men carried in a giant piece of driftwood and started to set it down amongst the flowers. “That can’t stay here. It’s practically as big as my couch.” Now she was on the verge of tears. Frustrated that Zale would send her these things when they only made her think of all she’d lost. Angry because he’d offered her a job, not his love.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. We have very specific delivery instructions.” He turned on his heel and walked out the door. Her legs were suddenly weak, and she sat down on the weathered driftwood.
She straightened from her slouch as work boots scuffed down the hall of her apartment. “All right, and ah, I think this is the last thing.” The concern in the courier’s voice erected all of her barriers.
She glanced over her shoulder and did a double take at the soulful brown eyes that stared at her from under a coat of wiry, mangy fur. The dog, which was more like a miniature horse, slapped its tail back and forth before pulling away from its leash and lapping her face.
“Oh my goodness. Where did he come from? He’s…he’s enormous.” When she looked up from the dog though, the delivery man was gone. The dog whimpered, vying for more attention. The big canine had already wound its way around her finger as he nuzzled into her side. He lumbered around the driftwood and rested his chin on her upper thigh. The dog looked up at her with sheer, unadulterated admiration, as its tail ticked from side to side, mopping the wood floor.
“I believe you once said you loved mangy dogs that look a little weathered and grumpy.” The rich baritone of Zale’s voice resonated through the apartment, and her heart pounded hard. “I thought he fit the bill nicely.” Her pulse thrummed wildly underneath her skin, and she turned slowly, in complete disbelief at the deep voice behind her.
“He’s anything but grumpy.” Zale had been silent for days, weeks, and now he was in her apartment. She was still so angry at the way things had ended. Why was he here, and was he trying convince her of something other than accepting a position with Dalton? She turned back to the dog and kissed it on the nose. The delivery men had cleared out leaving her, Zale, and the dog alone. She swallowed the lump in her throat as he walked across the room toward her. Dark jeans hugged his hips, and a navy polo shirt stretched over his broad shoulders, ones she longed to wrap her arms around.
Instead of sitting beside her, he crouched down across from the dog on the other side of her legs and took her hands in his. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, and her muscles trembled at his touch. She was on the verge of ugly crying, and was doing her best to hold it in and maintain control.
“What is all of this, Zale?” Some of the heaviness lifted off her limbs as she dared to hope for what was seemingly impossible an hour ago.
“Roots.” He squeezed her hands. “Gemma, the past two weeks I’ve been doing my damnedest to ignore and deny my feelings for you. I was too thick-headed, too filled with fear to realize that not having you in my life is so much worse than the possibility that things won’t work between us. You waltzed into the resort and changed everything for me. Made me feel things I’ve never felt before. You fit so well with me, with Mila, it caught me off guard. I wasn’t lying when I told you I hadn’t considered a long-term relationship, but I was lying to myself about how much I love you.”
“Why offer me a job then?” She bit her lip gently and leaned closer to Zale. Her breath was coming fast, hope blooming through her heart.
“You’re smart and cunning. Someone I’d feel comfortable having in charge. But I’m revoking the job offer, because I see now how I got things so terribly wrong. I think subconsciously, I was using the COO position to keep you on Martha’s Vineyard until I could convince you to stay of your own will. I’ve been so terrified to trust, but I know in my heart you, more than anyone, are worthy of it.”
She pulled her right hand out of Zale’s and clutched her belly. She could scarcely breathe. Gemma couldn’t believe what he was saying. Could he really want a relationship with her with no other intention than love? “Didn't you understand that you were enough? That Mila was enough? And together, well, I couldn’t think of a stronger magnet than the one you both attached to my heart.”
“I thought letting you go was the best thing for both of us. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I need you in my life. In all aspects of it.” The way he locked that smoldering gaze on her made her swallow the lump in her throat, and she reached out for his hand.
“I was so blinded by my own hurt, I didn’t think of how leaving would affect you. I know your father walked away, and so did Margaret.” She squeezed his hand tightly. “Zale, I never wanted to walk away. Two days ago, I booked a flight back to the island. I was prepared to fight for you. For us. Try to convince you to want me as much as I want you.”
Zale’s arms came around her waist, and he pressed his head against her stomach. Gemma sighed and collapsed against him, savoring his rich scent. She’d never get enough of him.
“Even if I had known you were coming back, I couldn't get to you soon enough. I never for a second meant to make you feel like all that mattered was what you could do for the resorts. It's you I want. The woman who’s so compassionate and brave. The one that will jump into the harbor mid-storm to rescue a doll. The one who makes me feel like I have everything I could ever hope for. I love you, Gemma. Come home with me, and we’ll plant these flowers outside our front porch and put the driftwood in the backyard so we can sit and watch the sunset while Mila and this big mutt run around like fools.”
“You want to look at houses together?” Her heartbeat thrummed in a rapid beat against her ribs.
“In a way, we already did. I want you to be my wife, a mother to Mila, and yes, I want to make a home together. The Whipple Mansion should give us enough room in case we decide to give Mila some brothers and sisters.” He grinned at her and smoothed the hair away from her face. She was momentarily rendered speechless.
“Didn’t you say it has twelve rooms?” Her mouth must have dropped open because he laughed, and his eyes twinkled with light.
She drew in ragged breath and took the metaphorical leap of a lifetime. “I want all of it. I want to take your name and make Mila mine, not just in my heart but in the eyes of the law too. I love you, Zale. I love you both.”
“That would mean so much to her, to me.” His eyes swam with emotion, and he bent forward and kissed her hand, a sweet gesture that took all the heaviness away, made her feel like she was floating.
“And me too.” Her stomach fluttered when Zale reached into his pocket and pulled out a square box.
“Let’s make it official then.” He opened the box, and a pear-shaped red gem sparkled back at her. Her breath caught, and she looked from Zale to the exquisite ring. “You’re rare, Gemma. I knew it the moment I met you. So, a red diamond only made sense.” He slipped it on her finger, and she admired how striking and bold it looked there, how right it felt to wear his ring.
“Funny,” she said and tilted her head. “I thought the same about you that first day at the resort.” She leaned in and kissed his lips, found them soft and welcoming against her own. Then a wet, slobbering tongue came between them, and they both reared back, laughing and wiping at their faces.
“I guess we’ll have to teach him some manners.” Zale ruffled the dog’s fur and joined her on the driftwood.
“I already love him just the way he is.” She ruffled the fur behind the dog’s ears. “But, there’s one more thing I would like.” She grinned up at him, wholly fulfilled and heart so bursting with love that she wanted to dance around the apartment.
“For you? Name it.” He tossed his arm over her shoulder and pulled her tight against him.
“COO.” She looked up at Zale with a grin, and he threw his head back and roared with laughter.
Yes, their future was bright indeed.
Dear Readers
Thank you for picking up SEDUCTION AT THE STARGRASS. This is my first venture i
nto indie publishing and I hope you enjoyed it!
I always appreciate reader reviews, so if you liked this book, please let me know!
XOXO Charlee
More books by Charlee:
Cape Cod Shore Series
IN WITH THE TIDE
CAUGHT IN THE CURRENT
DANGEROUS WATER
Northampton Hearts
THE TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS 11/7/2021
FOURTEEN DAYS OF VALENTINES 2/7/2022
SIX DAYS OF SPRING 5/12/2022
Standalones
HOME SWEET CHRISTMAS
THE BOOKWORM AND THE BEAST
About the Author
Contemporary Romance Author Charlee James was introduced to a life-long love of reading listening to her parents recite nightly stories to her and her older sister. Inspired by the incredible imaginations of authors like Bill Peet, Charlee could often be found crafting her own tales. As a teenager, she got her hands on a romance novel and was instantly hooked by the genre. After graduating from Johnson & Wales University, her early career as a wedding planner gave her first-hand experience with couples who had gone the distance for love. Always fascinated by family dynamics, Charlee began writing heartwarming novels with happily-ever-afters.
Charlee is a New England native who lives with her husband, daughters, two rambunctious dogs, a cat, and numerous reptiles. When she’s not spending time with her tight-knit family, she enjoys curling up with a book, practicing yoga, and collecting Boston Terrier knick-knacks. You can find her on the web at www.charlee-james.com.
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