He fell deeper in love with her in that moment, knowing she was the only woman who could see him through his grief and help him emerge a better man on the other side. She was the kind of woman his father had found in his mother all those years ago. Nikki was the one he wanted by his side, through the good times and bad. He was tired of questioning whether he was good enough, or whether he deserved her. If she still loved him, that was all he needed to know.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” he said, stroking her cheek, trying to convince himself that she was real, that this was really happening. “You have no idea how much I needed to see you today.”
She smiled, a sad, lingering smile. “I think I had some idea. As soon as I heard, I knew this was where I needed to be, here, with you.”
“I love you,” he whispered, trying to put into words the torrent of emotions ripping through him: sadness, guilt, regret, grief, but overpowering all of his destructive reactions was love. His love for his brother, his love for her. He knew if Dave were here now, he’d tell him not to wait another moment to seek his happiness.
“I love you, too, J.T.”
“Tell me.” He needed to hear her say it; he needed to know she still felt what he was feeling.
“You’re the last thing I think about when I fall asleep at night,” she said, slicing him with her openness and vulnerability. “You’re the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning. Whether you see fit to share my life or not, you’re still there, in my mind and in my heart every day.”
“Marry me,” he said, cupping her face in his hands. He drew a deep breath, knowing he was acting impulsively. But he didn’t care how it would seem to others. This was what he wanted; she was what he needed.
Appearing dazed, she pushed against his shoulders. “You’re not thinking clearly. You’re grieving for your brother. Now’s not the time for you to make a decision like this.”
He knew she was trying to save him from himself. “I know what I’m doin’. I know what I want.” He sighed. “This is what Dave would’ve wanted for me, to be happy. Obviously, this isn’t the right time to share our news with my family, but when the time is right, when they’ve found a way to start healing…”
She reached up, claiming his mouth in a sweet, soft kiss intended to start mending his broken heart. “Yes, I’ll be your wife. I don’t care if it’s a month from now or five years from now, as long as it happens.”
He picked her up, spinning her around as her tears merged with his laughter. He knew that whatever challenges they faced, they would find a way through it, together.
About the Author
To learn more about this author or the rest of the books in the Nashville Nights series, visit
www.cheryldouglasbooks.com.
To comment on this book, or ask the author a question you can email her at
[email protected]
You can also visit Cheryl on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cheryldouglasbooks
Please consider leaving a review for this book, or other books in the Nashville Nights series
at www.amazon.com
Thank You
Coming September 2012
Heartless
Book Six in the Nashville Nights Series
Nashville Nights Series
Shameless – Book One
Trey Turner may be topping the country music charts, but his life has been going downhill since his wife left him five years ago. He’s desperate to make amends for the mistakes he’s made and convince Sierra that their love deserves a second chance.
Sierra Brooks is happy for the first time since her divorce. She has a career she loves and a man who loves her. Unfortunately, her fiancé isn’t the only man professing his love. He may be able to offer her safety and security, but will she decide to risk everything for another chance with the man who broke her heart?
Fearless – Book Two
Lexi Brooks has overcome adversity to build a successful real estate business that will enable her to live life on her terms. The life she envisions includes travel, fun and excitement, not marriage, kids or commitment. But will Trey’s sexy bodyguard throw a wrench into her plans?
Being a cop has taught Josh Cooper to take calculated risks, but he’s tired of living with the daily threat of danger. He’s ready to settle down with someone who wants to be a step-mother to his two teenage sons. Too bad Lexi isn’t that woman. She’s sexy, smart, head-strong, and they’re totally in sync in the bedroom , but she isn’t willing to settle for a life of domestic bliss. Or is she?
Ruthless – Book Three
Marisa Turner has wanted Luc Spencer forever, but she also wants a baby and it seems Luc isn’t up to the challenge. She has to choose between the man she loves and the family she hopes to have. Fortunately, there’s another man waiting in the wings who would love to make her baby fantasy a reality.
Luc Spencer is tired of hearing about marriage and babies. He loves Marisa, but he’s not a forever kind of guy. After two years together, she tells him it’s over. He’s not worried, he believes she’ll be back. But what will happen when he finds out there’s another man waiting to take his place?
Reckless – Book Four
As a publicist, Avery Collins knows that mixing business with pleasure is a recipe for disaster so she has one rule. Her bedroom is off limits to clients, no matter how enticing and persistent they may be.
Ty McCall is country music’s newest rising star, but he needs the best team in the business of help him make it to the top. That team includes Avery, who gave him the most unforgettable night of his life only to disappear the next morning.
Avery agrees to work with him, but Ty isn’t willing to settle for a professional relationship with the woman of his dreams. Can this sexy cowboy convince her that rules were made to be broken?
Relentless – Book Five
Nikki Spencer is all grown up, but the world still sees her as the cute little girl she used to be. She’s ready to prove to her adoring public and a certain rough riding rodeo champion that sweet little Nikki isn’t as innocent as everyone thinks.
J.T. McCall has a reputation as a rough rider, both on the bull riding circuit and with the ladies. So, what’s he to do when an innocent, like country crooner, Nikki Spencer, sets her sights on him? He plans to do what any good old country boy would do, save the lady from herself. But who will save J.T. when this little firecracker sets his world on fire?
Heartless – Book Six
Derek McCall was devastated when his girlfriend married his best friend, Josh. He respected the boundaries of friendship for years, but one night they gave in to temptation. Feeling guilty for betraying his best friend, Derek left town, determined to put the past and Ashley behind him.
Ashley Cooper has loved two men in her life, her ex-husband, Josh, and her ex-boyfriend, Derek. This single mom is finally ready to start dating again when Derek returns to town, ready to throw his hat in the ring. Her kids are dead-set against the relationship, but will she risk their disapproval for a chance to re-write history?
Hopeless – Book Seven
When Jay Cooper has to hire a black belt instructor for his karate studio, he doesn’t expect the most promising candidate to come with a huge chip on her shoulder. He knows there must be a story behind those tortured brown eyes. If only she would let him get close enough to find out why she seems to determined to keep her past a secret.
Victoria Pierce grew up in the foster care system. For her, martial arts was more than a hobby. It was her best hope of survival. She learned at an early age that the only person she could count on was herself. She doesn’t let anyone get close enough to hurt her, not friends, boyfriends, and definitely not her new boss. She shuts Jay down at every opportunity, so why does he keep coming back for more?
Careless – Book Eight
Detective, Mike Cooper, loves a challenge. So when his father, Josh, ask him to consult on a tough case, he can’t resist the temptation. He agrees to take
a brief leave of absense from the police force to accompany country singer, Tori Warner, on tour. His objective? To find the crazed fan who’s been stalking her. If only Tori wasn’t so determined to play hard and fast with the rules.
Tori is tired of living in a bubble. She’s been allowing this stalker to control her life for months, and she’s sick of it. So when some hotshot detective decides to become her self-appointed bodyguard, she’s determined to show him that she’s the one calling the shots.
Tori is the most infuriating woman Mike has ever met. She refuses to take orders, even when her life is at stake. He’s tempted to let her fend for herself, but Mike can’t walk away knowing some maniac is out to get her. Especially not after one explosive night makes him lose his objectivity. Suddenly, this case is personal, and Mike can’t rest until he knows Tori is safe.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
About the Author
Coming Soon
Relentless (Nashville Nights) Page 20
