by Tina Donahue
Toni whispered, “You really love me?”
She seemed so surprised, it broke Zach’s heart. Cheek pressed to hers, he swallowed and held her even tighter. “I’d die without you, Toni. You gave me back my life.”
Her shoulders shook with her weeping. She whispered, “I’ve loved you from the moment you bought me breakfast at Em’s. This morning I asked Angel to help me get certified. I was going to beg you to let me stay.”
“Oh, Toni.” Zach ran his hands up and down her back. She seemed so fragile and yet so strong. “You don’t have to get certified. You don’t have to work in the shop. Go to college, be whatever you want to be. Just don’t leave my life.”
She pressed her face against his throat, her breath warming his skin. “I want to stay at the shop, please. I want to be close to you. I’ll give you part of my trust fund to help your business.”
“No. I just want you. Give it all to the Starrs.”
Tears thickened her voice. “I worry about them, Zach. They’re getting old. Lucky’s health isn’t all that good. Their business may not make it. I want to help them always. They were so kind to me.”
“I know.” He stroked her hair. “Someday soon, we’ll visit them, or we’ll have them over here for an extended stay if that’s what you want. I’m taking the house off the market. I know you love it here. I want it to be your home. For always.”
Toni’s arms tightened around his shoulders. She shook her head. “You don’t have to do that. I’d planned to tell you I was going to get my own apartment so I wouldn’t crowd you.”
“Uh-huh. No fucking way,” he said. “You’re staying here.” Before she could argue, he captured her mouth, his kiss deep, impassioned.
A faint moan rose from the back of her throat. Greedily, she suckled his tongue, her hands moving to his face, keeping him close. When at last he finished, Zach eased away from her. “Don’t move.” He went to the “For Sale” sign, pulling it off the hooks, flinging it onto the grass.
Returning to her, he said, “We’ve got a lot to talk about. I’ll call the shop and let Angel know we’re not coming in for the rest of the day. Go on, get inside.”
Toni’s eyes lifted to his. Intensified by her weeping, their blue-green tint was the most dazzling color Zach had ever seen, the love in them unguarded.
Silently thanking whatever god had sent her his way, Zach planted his hands on his lean hips and cocked one brow, deliberately teasing. “You’re still out here. I said inside. Now.”
Despite her puffy lids and the tears still rolling down her cheeks, her expression changed. It became all mischief, just as he liked, playing the game they both loved, the one that had first brought them together, leading them to this moment.
In a throaty voice—aroused, ballsy, pure Toni—she murmured, “Make me.”
About the Author
Tina Donahue is a multi–published novelist in contemporary and historical romance. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly and Romantic Times have praised her work; she has reached finals and/or placed in numerous RWA-sponsored contests. She was the editor of an award-winning Midwestern newspaper, worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company and is currently the Managing Editor for a global business document concern.
Tina welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Tina Donahue
Adored
Deep, Dark, Delicious
In His Arms
Lush Velvet Nights
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