by Noelle Adams
“Well,” she said, privately rejoicing at his implication of a future together. “You’re not going to stay up until two in the morning anymore. That I’ll have to insist on.”
His lips formed a thin line. “Why aren’t you mad at me?”
“I am mad. But I understood. We both wanted to keep our lives from falling apart again. You tried to hold it together by doing and fixing, and I tried to hide where it was safe.” She grinned. “But I’ll have you know that I’m turning over a new leaf too. I got an e-mail today, and I may have a job offer.”
He smiled, genuine happiness—pride—in his eyes. “A job you’re excited about?”
“Yes. It’s an editing job. I think I’ll be really good at it.”
“That’s fantastic. No matter where your job is, we’ll figure it out. I’ll have to travel quite a bit, but I’ll work by e-mail and phone, so we’ll still be able to see plenty of each other. Wherever you need to live, that’s where I’ll be. As often as I can.”
She realized with growing awe how significant a gesture he’d made. He would redirect the course of his life—just for her.
“Oh, well, it won’t take any major relocating. If I get it, I’ll be able to work from home. Or anywhere.”
“Very handy.”
After that, she couldn’t help but kiss him soundly.
“So you really forgive me?” he asked as their lips parted.
“Of course. I couldn’t have my Jane Eyre moment if I didn’t forgive the infuriating hero.” She sucked in a sharp breath. “Harry, why did you think we couldn’t be together? What happened?”
His eyes cut away from her face. “It appears I’m no longer the good nephew.”
“I thought he liked me.”
“He does like you,” Harrison held her gaze with focused intensity. “His issue was Michael. And because of the way he is.”
Marietta was upset that Harrison had been forced to defy his uncle to be with her. It made her feel rejected by a man she had come to like and respect.
“I’m so sorry you had to make a decision like that.” She kissed his cheek.
“It’s absolutely worth it,” he murmured, moving his hands up to cup her face. “And he’s already shown signs of forgiving me. But even if he never does, I want you too much to give you up.”
“Then don’t,” she whispered, drowning in the tenderness in his eyes.
“I won’t. I want you, Etta, more than I’ve ever wanted anything.”
“Well, you have me.”
“I want more than your body. I want you in every way.”
“You have me in every way.”
“I want you forever.”
“Forever.”
They kissed for a few minutes until curiosity finally caught up with Marietta. She pulled her lips away, loving how Harrison groaned in protest. “So what was the business you had to take care of before you came?”
“I asked Andrew to take on some responsibilities in Damon Enterprises.” He spoke calmly, even though he couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her thighs and bottom.
Hope—bright and sudden as lightning—jolted her. “Responsibilities? I know you wouldn’t give up your work there.”
“Not completely. I love the company. It’s part of my heritage. And it would hurt my uncle if I abandoned it. But I’ve been doing at least three people’s jobs, so I’ve decided to delegate.”
She gave a squeal of excitement and kissed his face all over—his mouth, his jaw, his cheekbones.
He laughed, low and husky. “If I knew it would win me that much of a reaction, I would have delegated even more.”
“What did poor Andrew think about finally getting something to do?”
Harrison frowned. “You know, I’ve always thought you had far too much interest and sympathy for my brother. What about him do you find so appealing?”
Marietta giggled. “The first time I saw him, I lusted after his butt.” When Harrison made a guttural possessive sound, she added, “Of course, I thought he was you.” She maneuvered her hand to squeeze the object in question. “Your butt is much nicer.”
“I should certainly hope so.”
“Thank you. For restructuring your duties.”
“You’re welcome. Of course, I’ll want something in return.”
She squirmed on top of him suggestively. “You do?”
“Not that,” Harrison said with a teasing quirk of his lips. “I assume I’d already get that.”
“Oh. Right. So what do you want from me?”
His expression changed. “I want you to get some counseling.”
She froze. “Oh.”
He lifted a hand to caress her face. “I don’t want the woman I love to have a panic attack whenever she’s around beer.”
Marietta was torn between being defensive and being touched at his concern. “I’ll go to counseling. It’s always been a nuisance, and I don’t want to hide from things anymore. Anything else that’s part of the bargain?”
“One more thing.” The smile reappeared in his eyes. “You let me teach you to drive.”
“You’re going to take away all my neuroses!” she complained.
Harrison shook his head. “It’s just that I don’t want you constantly nagging me about my driving.”
She gave him a hug, moved by this evidence of his love for her, his desire to take care of her in every way.
After a few minutes, Harrison cleared his throat. “I have something for you. It was part of my great plan, but now you’ll just have to get it for yourself. In my pocket.”
It was too early for an engagement ring—although she hoped that would come eventually. Still straddling his hips, she dug her hand into one of his pockets.
“Not that pocket—”
She retrieved something before he completed his objection. A wilted pink sweet pea. She knew—she knew—it was the one he’d left on her pillow, the one she’d dropped at his feet before she’d run away.
She stared at it, overwhelmed with emotion.
When she met his eyes, he almost smiled. “Don’t make a fuss. I picked it up and just keep forgetting to throw it away.”
“Right.” Very carefully, she replaced it in his pocket. “Now where is my surprise?”
“The other pocket.”
She scooted down, noticing something obvious and tantalizing in the vicinity of his zipper she’d have to investigate very shortly. For now, however, she reached into the pocket.
Her forehead wrinkling in confusion, she pulled out a key tied with a velvet ribbon.
“It’s the key to a villa just a few miles from the base of the mountain. I rented it for a month.”
Her mouth dropped open.
He’d looked quite pleased with himself, but at her stunned reaction he added, “If you want to, of course. If it’s too soon, I understand. I thought we could spend some time together. No work. For me anyway. Just us.”
Marietta let joy, love, and awe wash over her. “Now I know you love me. You’re taking a real vacation!”
He laughed. And then she laughed. Then they kissed for a long time.
“You know what?” she murmured against his lips. “I don’t have to call you Harry anymore.”
“You don’t?” A flicker of wariness crossed his expression.
“No, I’ve thought of a new nickname for you.”
“I’m afraid to ask.”
“It’s sweet pea.”
About the Author
Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn’t stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel. She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances. She loves to hear from readers.
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