by Annie West
‘Please, no. It wouldn’t work. It—’
‘Stop objecting for a moment, woman, and listen.’
She looked up then and he smiled. Damon’s face felt as if it was cracking, so wide was his grin, so profound the relief that he sagged back against the desk, pulling her with him, off balance in his arms. Her warm, soft weight, all feminine curves and scented secrets, was like heaven after the purgatory of the last six months.
‘I want to marry a woman who’s deliciously sensuous, beautiful, talented, opinionated, determined. Someone I love.’ It felt so good finally to say the words.
‘Love!’
‘Yes, love.’ The weight of the past six months lifted off his shoulders in that moment.
‘You love me?’ Astonishment coloured her voice.
Damon spanned her waist with his hands and lifted her high, stepping away from the desk and swinging her round. She was light in his arms. As light as his heart. Her husky, surprised laughter floated all around him.
Who’d have thought happiness could be encompassed in one remarkable woman? He lowered her to the floor.
‘I love you, Callie. I would be your husband, if you trust me not to run your life.’
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
‘Damon.’ She sounded choked up as tears flowed again. But he focused on her brilliant smile, knowing she cried from a joy that matched his. ‘I trust you. I love you so much. I never want to be away from you again.’
The world stopped as he drank in her words.
Then Damon’s primitive, possessive side urged him to seal the bond with more than a kiss. To take advantage of the long sofa against one wall and possess his woman instantly. It had been too long and he was so needy.
His arms tightened and he swung her off her feet.
‘What are you doing?’
The feel of her in his arms was heady temptation.
‘Taking you out before we get sidetracked,’ said the civilised Damon who knew women enjoyed the trappings of romance. ‘We’ll celebrate with an intimate dinner for two after we collect your ring. And we’ll call my family. It’s time you met them.’
He strode for the door.
‘I’ve met your family.’ Her eyes glowed up at him in a way that made his heart hammer.
He jolted to a stop as her slender hand pressed against his chest. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes slumberous.
‘What I want now is you.’
Damon’s heart filled as he looked down at her.
‘I always knew you were my sort of woman, glikia mou. What a life we’ll have together.’
All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.
All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II BV/S.à.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of the publisher in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
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First published in Great Britain 2009
Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited,
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
© Annie West 2009
ISBN: 978-1-408-91273-7
