by Cari Quinn
She stared at him. Did he really think that was the image he’d projected? “You were busy every minute. Working at the apartments. Working at the donor house. You even worked your ass off for me.”
And that was the bottom line, wasn’t it? He hadn’t had to do any of the things he’d done for her. Helping her with the arrangements, sharing his ideas—in a rather overbearing manner, granted—and offering his support. None of that had been faked. She would never believe it.
Whatever else he’d done, he truly cared. About her. About Divine. Her heart skipped. Maybe he really did lo—
“My parents are retiring, Alexa. That means I’m going to be consumed with Value Hardware and the income properties from now on, along with the charity.” His look radiated through her right down to the soles of her feet. “And you know what? I’m glad my parents can retire, knowing their sons are in control. We’ve fucking got it, and we’re not going to run the damn business they spent their lives building into the ground. I love you, but I can’t deny who I am, for you or anyone. As much as I wished I could for a while, if that meant you’d stay in my life, I can’t. I’m sorry.” His chest rose and fell as if he was sucking in a deep breath. “God, I’m so fucking sorry.”
She walked over to him and stood at the high rail, staring down at the slumbering city below. The clutch of yellow balloons on Value Hardware’s sandwich board sign waved in the breeze, barely distinguishable at this distance. But she recognized them.
“That smiley face makes me want to punch something,” she said in a low voice.
“I know.” He chuckled. “Cory, too. Now that we’re moving into more of the lifestyle end, he bitches constantly about how he’s supposed to launch a high-end magazine when Value’s logo is a damn smiley face.”
“High-end, hmm?”
“Yes. He’s working with Vicky Townsend on it. Well, if they don’t kill each other. But now that my mom’s stepping down, we’re going to need to hire consultants on the gardening end of things.” He stroked her hair, just one slow sweep down the length of it. “You’d be perfect for the job.”
As if she’d say yes.
Please say yes.
Alexa slanted him a look. “Me, work with Cory?”
At least she hadn’t discounted it out of hand. When she’d refused to acknowledge his declaration of love, he’d thought his entire plan was doomed to fail. “You could work with me more than him. It’s his brainchild, but we’re working together. Happy fucking family and all that.” Dillon cleared his throat. “Assuming working with me would be any better.”
“I’m still figuring that out.” She stepped closer and placed her hands on his stomach. He shuddered at just that simple contact. “I’ll be pretty busy with the store. Especially since I still need to hire a designer. Nellie will be going out on maternity leave in a couple months, and if business keeps up—”
“It will,” he interjected, unable to keep his hands out of her hair. The dark wavy mass spilled over his fingers like finely spun silk. “You’re going to do amazing.”
“You probably won’t have much time to help me anymore.”
“If you can even call what I did help, then yeah, I’ll help. I’ll make the time.”
She angled her head, her glossy mouth soft and wet. He started to lean in before he caught himself, then shuddered again. Such temptation she presented without even knowing it. “Aren’t I your competition?”
“No.” He linked an arm around her waist. “We’re on the same side. We can help each other and both businesses will thrive. We’ll figure out boundaries, delineate what which store does best. And we won’t step on each other’s toes.” He glided his fingers down her cheek. “Just give me a chance, princess.”
A tremor went through her, as fast as lightning. “I’d like to work with you.”
Joy swamped him, though he knew it was only the first step. But still, they were moving forward again. “You won’t regret it.” He cupped her chin in tense fingers. “I promise.”
She stared into his eyes, her vulnerability as plain as the white light shimmering on her skin. Knowing how much she despised opening herself up to those feelings, to him, only made them more precious. “I could never regret you,” she whispered.
“I’m going to kiss you. Hell, I have to kiss you.” He brushed his lips over hers and tasted the lemon from her dessert. Then, diving deeper, tasted her, the hot, sultry flavor that made his groin ache and his throat close around a plea for more.
“Dillon James.” She breathed his name on a sigh that made him stone-hard. “That’s who you are.”
“Yes.” Locking his arms around her waist, he hauled her up into his arms, kissing her with all the weeks of pent-up frustration and worry. He dragged a hand down to cup her ass, holding her close while she laughed through their kiss and kept hold of her painting.
“I want who you are. Just the way you are, and how you fit with me,” she added against his lips.
He clutched her that much closer and nipped the pulse under her jaw, breathing in her freesia scent as if it were more vital than air. Right then, it was. “I want you too. And I want to be by your side when your store kicks so much ass, you can pay Cory back with interest.”
Her lips curved. “You say the sweetest things.”
“I have so much faith in you, princess. All I want is the chance to earn yours again.”
“It wasn’t all your fault.” She hunched her shoulders. “It was pretty obvious I wasn’t rational about Value Hardware, so no wonder you didn’t want to tell me. Not letting you off the hook, but just saying I get why you didn’t rush to get it out there.” She licked her lips and all the blood drained into his cock, which luckily she did not know. He doubted she’d find it endearing while she was being so earnest. “You helped me so much, in so many ways. With the store, by being a friend. By being more. For the first time since Jake and Nellie hooked up and skipped off to Happyville, I didn’t feel so alone.”
“You want that too?” He tried to keep his tone easy. “What they have?”
“Yeah. I think I do. It’s better than I thought it ever would be. Feeling like this,” she murmured.
He couldn’t hold back another second. Even if she shot him down again. Third time’s the charm, right? “I meant what I said, Alexa. I love you.”
Her eyes went wide as water spattered them. “Ah, there’s our rain. Must be a good sign.” She smiled as if she hadn’t heard him at all.
“Uh, baby…” he began, trying to shove his jagged emotions back in line.
When the water turned off, then popped back on as the sprinklers swept the plants, she laughed and cupped his jaw. “You’re even making it rain for me now.”
Returning her grin, he pressed his wet forehead to hers. “I’d do anything for you. Anything.”
“Including refusing to be anyone but who you are. That’s exactly who I want.” Her eyes brightened, a beacon in the darkness. “And who I love.”
Emotion moved through him, warm and sweet. Yes, it had been worth going through what they had if it meant they’d end up right here.
He cleared his throat. “I just remembered I still have something that belongs to you. It’s purple and ribbed and has several speeds. Low, medium, and call the cops.”
Alexa threw back her head and laughed. “Have you been playing with my toys, Mr. James?”
He pulled her toward the door. “Not yet, but if you think you can clear your schedule this evening…”
She pinched his hip. “Schedule? What schedule? I’m all yours.”
Dillon grinned. Those were the best three words he’d ever heard.
Well, second best.
Acknowledgments
To my fantabulous editor, Heather Howland, for her patience and mad editing skills!
And to Gina L. Maxwell, whose excitement to read this book made me even more excited to write it.
About the Author
USA TODAY bestselling author Cari Quinn saves the world one Photos
hop file at a time in her job as a graphic designer. At night, she writes sexy romance, drinks a lot of coffee, and plays her music way too loud. When she’s not scribbling furiously, she’s watching men’s college basketball, reading excellent books, and causing trouble. Sometimes simultaneously.
www.cariquinn.com
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