by Ana Blaze
Colin answered on the first ring. “You called!”
Beth giggled softly at the excitement in his voice. “Looks like it. Thank you for the flowers and the toy. They’re both lovely.”
“Will you come to dinner with me tonight?”
She sighed. “I don’t think so. I think it would be good for us to spend some time apart.”
“Hmm … very sensible. If we had the same goal, I’d agree.”
“We don’t have the same goal?”
“Of course not. I want you to fall in love with me and you want desperately not to.”
“Colin, I just think we jumped into all of this too quickly.”
“I disagree.”
Beth sighed again. “I just —”
“What is it that frightens you the most?” His voice was calm and warm.
“I’m not frightened.”
“Bullocks. You’re terrified; that much is clear. Only, I’m not certain if it’s marriage that scares you, or love, or just the fact that I don’t fit your plan.”
“I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“Of course you do. You’ve given your life a great deal of consideration. You have a picture in your mind of the man you will marry, the job he’ll have, the house you’ll live in, the way he’ll support your career — all of it. You’ve got it all worked out and you don’t think I fit.”
“I never said that,” she replied. He was right. She was starting to hate when he was right.
“I’m in love with you, Beth Chase, and, as much as you might wish it otherwise, you like me. Give me a chance. Tell me what I can do.”
“I — I don’t know.”
He sighed. “Have dinner with me.”
“I can’t.”
“Fine. How about sex?”
“Colin!” She couldn’t help giggling.
“I can come over after dinner.”
“No.” She said it firmly, but softened the affect with a touch of light laughter afterward.
“You aren’t making this easy.”
She smiled at that. “Are you ready to give up?”
“God, no.”
Chapter Thirteen
SHE COULDN’T STOP THINKING about him. Erotic thoughts about his tongue and the length of his back interrupted Beth’s otherwise normal dreams that night. The next morning, she tried to turn on the television to watch a few minutes of a local news program and discovered the DVD they’d watched the night she’d brought him home. Beth spent the next several minutes reliving the kiss he’d given her in the kitchen and the earnestness in his eyes when he’d asked if she would break his heart. Even her office was filled with memories of his apology and heroics — and their first kiss. Beth stared at the spot where she'd kicked off this madness. She’d only meant to give him a quick thank you. Sure, she’d found him charming and handsome, but she’d truly meant to express nothing more than a bit of sweet gratitude. How had it gotten so out of hand? Who could have predicted that nerdy Colin Pratt, with his messy hair and shy grin, could destroy her self-control with a touch of his lips?
Fairy tales give kisses the hard sell; they’re credited with saving the princess, even the world. But when she kissed Colin, the outside world fell away. Beth forgot to care about the ending, happy or otherwise.
Colin was too focused on the end. He wanted to jump ahead, skip too many steps.
She couldn’t do that and she had to tell him. It’d seem cruel for a moment, but it would be saving them both hurt in the long run. Beth plopped in her desk chair and vowed to call him to make things clear that afternoon.
Beth nearly hugged Claire for stopping by and interrupting her thoughts. “Hi! How are things looking for the Elliot wedding?”
The petite brunette grinned. “Good. Of course, I mean you really had everything all set up so well. I’m going to head over and supervise site set up really soon, since, well, you know …” She giggled.
This was the section that was confusing. In fixing it I may have messed up formatting.
Beth laughed at the other girl’s nervous energy and sweet southern twang. Claire Monegan was a sweetheart. She was also far cleverer than most people would have guessed, but Eli had hired her because people couldn’t help liking her, Beth included. “I could help, not that I’m not sure you can handle it by yourself, but Eli only asked you to take over to give me time off and I’m here anyway.”
“Oh. I mean … umm ….”
“Claire, I understand what this opportunity means to you. I’m not trying to take it away. It’s your choice. I don’t want to step on your toes.”
“You wouldn’t be — not at all. It was your event.” She gave Beth a hopeful smile. “And it’s kind of … huge.”
“You can say that again. If you’re sure you don’t mind, I’ll come over in an hour or two. I should finish a few things here first.”
“You’re totally a lifesaver.” Claire surged forward and gave her a hug. “Did you want Tony’s help this morning?”
Beth smiled and shook her head. “Nope, he’s all yours.” She watched Claire’s cheeks blush furiously, and bit her lip to avoid laughing. She pocketed the knowledge that Tony’s interest was clearly returned for consideration at a later time. “I’ll see you in a little bit. Just give me a call if you need me to collect anything on my way. Oh, and make sure to check in with the flute players early. They’re definitely not used to this sort of event.”
Claire nodded, thanked her again, and hurried out the door.
Beth got to work. An hour later she’d completed a checklist she’d expected to take nearly twice as long, and was feeling almost like her old, efficient, professional self again.
She looked up to find Colin in her doorway. “Colin!”
“Hello, love.” He smiled at her for a couple seconds before holding his hands up, palms out in the classic surrender position. “I don’t want to disturb your work, so I won’t stay long if you’re busy. I just wanted to see you.” His gaze slid down her body as she stood up. “You look especially pretty today.”
Her cheeks warmed at his blatant appraisal and approval of the pale blue, silk dress she was wearing. How did he do it? “Thank you. You’re looking pretty great yourself. Nice suit. Brooks Brothers?”
He laughed. “Would it be horrid to admit that my father’s secretary selected it and I honestly have no idea?”
Beth smiled as she took in the suit’s narrow-cut lapels, its deep charcoal color and subtle pin strip. She nodded. “Brooks Brothers. Fitzgerald line, if I’m not mistaken. Your father’s secretary has excellent taste.”
“I’m fairly certain she’s sleeping with my father, so we may have to narrow our praise of her taste.”
Beth laughed. “What are you doing here, Colin? We’re supposed to be spending some time apart and not letting our pheromones get the better of us.”
“I realized you were right.”
Her stomach dropped unexpectedly. She’d been sure that was what she wanted to hear, but now it felt like her life was flashing before her eyes. Beth nodded, unwilling to let him see that she was hurt. “Oh. Good. I mean … it was probably just —”
“I was caught up in the moment. I proposed too spontaneously.”
“You did? I mean, yes.”
“You deserve better. You’re a romance professional. You couldn’t possibly accept such a poor proposal of marriage.”
“Right. I mean … Wait, what?” Her head was spinning. He walked closer and she caught a whiff of his cologne. He hadn’t worn any since the wedding and the scent reminded her of their dance. Colin drew her in from the start.
He walked over and reached for her hand. Surprised, she let him guide her a few steps away from her desk. “Will you let me take you to dinner this evening?”
She shook her head. “I can’t. I have a wedding tonight.”
He nodded. “Very well. But remember, I wanted to do this at dinner.” He lightly brushed a knuckle across her cheek and used two fingertips to t
ilt her chin up.
Beth braced herself for a kiss, but it didn’t come.
Instead, Colin simply gazed at her for a moment. “I had a speech worked out, but the sight of you seems to have undone me once again. I will try to cover the main points. You are extraordinary. You inspire me to live life in an entirely different way. I won’t be the man I was anymore. I won’t be the man who settles for what he thinks should be enough. I think I lived that way because I failed to believe that something worth fighting for existed, but, here you are. You’re beautiful and clever and you like me. You do, even though you pretend otherwise. What’s more is you don’t like me for any of the reasons people sometimes do. You’re completely unimpressed with my father’s money, have never read any of my stories, nor taken one of my classes. My responsible and considerate nature didn’t slowly grow on you.” Colin smiled and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. “I’m quite certain that if we had met under more normal circumstances you would have placed me firmly in the just-friends slot before I could have ever worked up the nerve to ask you to tea. Instead, we’re all in.” He rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip. “I seduced you, Beth. Do you have any idea how incredible that is? You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, and I seduced you. It wasn’t even difficult.”
Beth scowled and pulled back slightly. “Gee, thanks.”
“No. Listen. I’m saying that I didn’t have to do anything unusual or be …” he seemed to consider his words. “I was just myself, and you like me.”
“I do.”
He kissed her when she was no longer bracing for it, and her knees shook. She clutched his shoulders.
“Don’t make me that man again, Beth. I could never be content after tasting this. Us. We could have an extraordinary life together. ” He kissed her again, then dropped down on one knee.
Beth inhaled sharply as she realized what was happening. “Colin, I —”
He caught her hand in one of his, reached into his jacket’s inner pocket and produced a ring. His voice was a little hoarse, but there was no hesitation. “You inspire me, Beth. I’m ready to fight for things I never thought I deserved. I’ll fight for you. I’ll fight for your happiness and your love. This ring is a symbol of my unending love. You were right not to accept a proposal without one. Now, I have the ring, love. I have the ring.” He pressed it toward her shakily and swallowed hard before finishing. His voice was barely more than a whisper. “Will you … will you please marry me?”
She was going to cry. A hot tear slid down Beth’s cheek. It shocked her but it was too late to stop. Distant laughter reminded her that the door to her office was still open. She held up a single finger to Colin and dashed over to shut it. “Colin.” She walked back, cupped his cheek and sighed. He stared up at her with a look of heart breaking sincerity. “I didn’t say no because I was holding out for a ring.”
“I know that, but it’s a sign. It’s meant to show the seriousness of my intent.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes.”
“Colin --”
“If you don’t like the ring we can get another. This was my grandmother’s ring. It’s old fashioned, perhaps, but I had it sent because I thought it might appeal to your romantic nature.”
There were so many revelations in his statement, Beth couldn’t focus. He thought she had a romantic nature and had offered her his grandmother's ring. How many people saw through her efficiency and practicality to her soft, pink, marshmallow core? She said the first thing that came to her mind. “It’s a beautiful ring, Colin. It’s perfect. I can’t imagine a girl who wouldn’t be honored to wear it.”
He stood up. “Do you mean …?.”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Colin. You are the sweetest man on the planet, and that was a beautiful proposal. You have no idea how hard it is to say no, but —”
“Say maybe.”
Tempting … very tempting. “Colin, I —”
“You can say maybe. I’d very much celebrate a maybe right now.”
Beth sighed, furrowed her brow, and studied him for a moment. He’d said she made him want to fight for things, that she’d changed him. It made her wonder if he’d changed her, too. Was she getting softer?
Colin stood up and wrapped his arms around her. “Come on, love, say maybe. You can try on the ring for a few days and decide if you like being my fiancée. We’ll celebrate by doing wicked things on your desk.”
“We are not going to do wicked things on my desk. I have a wedding to set up and also … eww.”
He laughed and brushed the tip of his nose against her ear. “Liar. You’d love to let me get you off on your desk. Your prim and proper act won’t fool me.” He reached down and slid his hand up her thigh and under the hem of her dress. “What are you wearing under this pretty frock?”
She pushed his hand away. “It doesn’t matter because you won’t be seeing it.”
He groaned. “Not even a quick peek?”
She laughed and shook her head. “I really do have to get back to work.” Her fingers played with the curls just behind his ear as she surveyed his attempt to slick back the top of his hair. “You know, it’s almost criminal to do this to your hair.”
Colin frowned. “I thought this was what you liked.”
She shook her head. “I like the curls. A decent cut, a little product, and they’d be perfect.”
“You like the curls?” He repeated incredulously. “You … like the curls.”
She grinned at his bewildered expression. “Yup.”
“Marry me.”
Her smile fell away. “I can’t.”
He slid his hand into her hair, caressing the back of her head, and kissed her until her arms wrapped around him and she conformed to his body. “Just say maybe.” Colin lifted her by her waist and settled her on the edge of her desk. He stepped between her knees. “All I’m asking for is a maybe.” He rested his palms on the sides of her head and rubbed his thumbs across her cheeks. “Give me a maybe and I’ll let you get to that wedding.”
“So we’re back to sexual blackmail?”
He shrugged. “I tried reasonable and I tried romantic. This seems more effective.” He placed his hands on her knees and started sliding them upwards. “Accept that your hormones might know something your brain doesn’t and give me a maybe.”
“When did you try reasonable?”
He smirked. “I hope this pretty little dress is sturdier than it looks. I’d hate to have to send you off to that wedding looking like you’d done even half of what I intend to do with you.” He kissed her shoulder.
Beth sighed. She wanted to send him away. No, that wasn’t true. What she really wanted was to want to send him away. All she wanted, in that moment, was to strip off his very nice suit and run her tongue up his pale, smooth back just like she’d done in her dream the night before. And maybe nibble on his rather delectable ass. “Why do you need to rush this? We’ve only just met.”
“Why wait when I know it’s right? I love you.” He tilted his head to the side. “Can you really deny that you have feelings for me as well?”
“I ... I won’t deny that I have feelings, but I can’t call it love.”
“Yet.”
Beth covered his hand with hers. “I’m sorry. I really don’t want to hurt you.”
“And you needn’t.”
It was the first time she’d seen him look truly discouraged and it hurt. It reminded her of their brief car trip after his brother’s wedding. At the time it had saddened her to see him look that way; now it nearly snapped her in half. Colin wasn’t meant to look that way. “I really do need to go help at a wedding this evening.”
He nodded. “May I see you after?”
“It won’t end until late. They don’t even want to start the ceremony until after dark, and they’re young and the party is huge. I’m not expecting to be finished at anything like a reasonable hour, and then I’ll just crash.”
“I see.”
“I’m not trying to make excuses. I told you I don’t date much because work keeps me too busy.”
Colin nodded again before leaning in to give her a gentle kiss. He lifted her hand and pressed the ring into it. “You can put it on whenever you’re ready, love.” He stepped back.
Beth gulped and tried to give it back. “Colin, I can’t take this. I haven’t said yes. I can’t just —”
“Try it on. Think about it. I … I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said, walking away. Beth stared, stunned, at the ring in her hand.
Chapter Fourteen
THE ELLIOTT WEDDING WAS an elaborate, late night affair for a young, theatrical couple.
Their ceremony was romantic and whimsical, and the reception that followed was one of the best of her career. It was certain to be featured in a national magazine and on a dozen websites. By the time she was free to leave, Beth was riding on far too much adrenaline to consider sleep.
She slipped on her hands-free device and called Colin on her ride home.
He answered, groggily, on the fourth ring. “Beth?”
She glanced at the clock in her car and winced. “Oh, God! You’re sleeping. Of course, you’re sleeping; it’s two-thirty in the morning. I’m so sorry. Go back to sleep, Colin. I’m really sorry.” She hung up, shaking her head at her foolishness.
Her phone rang thirty seconds later and she answered, cringing. “Hello?”
“Beth, is everything all right?”
She sighed at the concern in his voice. “Yes. I’m absolutely fine. Please, go back to sleep. I was -- it was nothing.”
“You were just going to what?”
“I guess I was going to tell you about the wedding. I’m on my way home and I don’t know. I’m all hyped on caffeine and wasn’t thinking. I can’t believe I was so rude. I’ll —”
“I’d like to hear about the wedding.”
