Manhunting in Mississippi

by Stephanie Bond

  Now that the kids were gone and the store was closing, Brent was surprised by how invigorated he felt. All in all, it was a week full of surprises. First Annie, now Christmas.

  And there were a few more surprises coming, too. Or there would be if he had his way. For one thing, Brent still needed to talk to his dad.

  Then he intended to pop over to the jewelry department to buy the perfect Christmas present for his favorite elf.

  “I’M HOPELESS, FAITH,” Annie said. “Absolutely hopeless.” Which was an understatement. She hadn’t stopped thinking about Brent in hours. He’d permeated her brain and was oozing out her pores. The man was in her essence, and she didn’t know what to do about it.

  Faith leaned back against her sofa cushions and popped the top of her beer. “I’ll agree with that. What are you hopeless about today?”

  Annie stopped pacing in front of the doorway that led down the stairs to Faith’s café just long enough to shoot her friend a dirty look. “What do you think?”

  Faith put a finger against her cheek and cocked her head. “Hmm. Let me think. Brent?”

  “Very astute.”

  “So what’s the problem? From my perspective, you two are hitting it off just fine. Mission accomplished and all that jazz.”

  “Except I think I got a little bit more than I bargained for.”

  Faith took another drink, then spread her arm across the back of the couch. “Oh? Tell.”

  Annie licked her lips, sure that she was blushing. “I think I’m falling in love with him.”

  Faith laughed. Not exactly the response Annie had been expecting.

  She propped her hands on her hips. “Do I laugh at your love life?”

  “I’m sorry,” Faith said, clearly trying to hold back another round of chuckles. “It’s just that that’s so yesterday’s news.”

  Annie frowned. “Excuse me?”

  “You know. Old news.” Faith waved her hand in the air. “I could tell just from watching you two the other day. This is the real deal.”

  She wanted to deny it, to say she couldn’t possibly be falling in love with Brent Carrington. But as fast as it had happened, as whirlwind as it had been, she knew it was true. Brent matched her and filled her in a way no other person ever had. They may have only spent a short time together, but she knew without a doubt that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.

  “I guess the bigger question is, what are you going to do about it?”

  Sucking in a deep breath, Annie stood up straighter, hoping good posture would give her the courage she needed. “I only see one option, really. I mean, it’s a risk. He might not want me.” She licked her lips, not liking that prospect at all.

  “So what are you saying?”

  “Just that as much as I want to move to New York, I want to make this work. I need to at least try.” She ran her fingers through her hair, sure in her heart that Brent was worth the sacrifice, and hoping beyond hope that he loved her, too. “I’m thinking I’ll keep my job and stay here in Bishop.”

  Faith’s eyes went wide as she focused on something over Annie’s shoulder.

  “Are you sure that’s what you want to do?” The familiar deep voice drifted over her from behind, and her pulse increased as her body reacted automatically to his nearness.

  She spun around, wondering just how much of their conversation he’d heard. “Brent! Um, hi.”

  “Am I interrupting?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “The door was open. I just walked up.”

  Annie exhaled in relief. If he’d just arrived, he must not have heard everything. It might be the truth, but she wasn’t yet willing to share her realization that she was falling in love with this man. Not until she was sure that the feeling was reciprocal.

  Brent’s earlier words settled in, and Annie faced him square on, her brow furrowed. “What do you mean, am I sure that’s what I want to do?”

  “Staying here,” he said, and her stomach tightened. Had she read him wrong? Was this really just a fling for him, and he wouldn’t welcome having her near? “Considering your dream job’s in New York, staying here seems silly.”

  “Silly?” She clenched her fists, hoping against hope that he wasn’t about to tell her there was nothing between them.

  “Well, sure,” he said, taking her hands in his. His dimple flashed, and the band around her heart loosened. “What’s the point of you being here if I’m living in Manhattan?”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  ANNIE HELD HER BREATH, wondering if she’d heard him right. “You’re moving to New York?”

  “That’s my plan.” Brent shrugged. “I was kind of looking forward to you being there, too. But…” He trailed off, amusement dancing in his eyes.

  Annie opened her mouth, but couldn’t seem to form words.

  From behind her, Annie heard the shuffle of pillows. “I think that’s my cue to exit,” Faith said, then headed down the stairs.

  He held out a hand for her, and she came willingly, knowing that in his arms was exactly where she wanted to be—and exactly where she belonged.

  Slowly, as if savoring every tiny touch, he traced his finger down her neck, following the V line of her sweater. The room was toasty warm, but she shivered anyway.

  His fingers dipped under the cashmere, then traced the lace of her bra. She moaned, low and in the back of her throat. More. She wanted to beg for more, but her voice didn’t work, and so she could only hope in silence that he understood her desire.

  Of course he did, and she stifled a groan of pure pleasure as his rough fingertips met the soft skin of her breast. He grazed her nipple, teasing with the lightest of touches designed to drive her over the edge. “Oh, Brent,” she whispered.

  “Mmm?”

  She wanted answers—wanted to know why he was moving to New York. But she knew he’d tell her soon enough. And right then, she couldn’t think anyway. Couldn’t even focus. Heck, she could barely form words, managing only to force out her simple request—“More.”

  With a low, guttural groan, he dipped his lips to her neck, tasting and teasing as he worked his way lower. “Are you very attached to this sweater?” he whispered.

  In answer, she grabbed the hem and pulled it over her head. “You can burn it for all I care.”

  He laughed. “I don’t think that’s necessary,” he said, then kissed a trail from her neck to her breast, teasing the sensitive skin.

  His tongue laved her nipple, her skin puckering in a sweet parody of pain. He was torturing her with his hands, stroking and exploring. And with every little touch, she seemed to melt a little bit more.

  He still wore a jacket and T-shirt, and she reached out, urging the jacket over his arms until it dropped to the floor. She concentrated next on her bra, needing to feel nothing but Brent and air against her skin. Releasing the clasp, she wriggled out of the thing, even while managing to wriggle closer to Brent.

  “Take your shirt off,” she demanded, wanting to melt under his heat.

  He complied, then urged her to the couch. She tugged at his waistband. “You need to lose these.”

  “A woman who knows what she wants,” he said. “I like that.”

  “Yeah?” She cocked her head. “And what is it you want?”

  “I figured that was pretty clear by now. I want you, Annie,” he said, his voice low and raw. “I want you now, and I want you in New York.”

  It took every ounce of strength in Brent’s body not to make love to her right there. Etiquette, however, suggested that he wait until they reached his apartment, and so they simply cuddled together, curled up in each other’s warmth and enjoying the last few minutes before they braved the cold and let Faith have the apartment to herself.

  As he stroked her skin, he knew he’d never be happier than when he was with Annie. She made him feel whole. As if he’d been looking for the other half of himself and had finally found it in her.

  With a little sigh, she shifted off his lap, nestl
ing against him on the couch as he tightened his arms around her. After a few minutes, she looked up, her eyes wide and questioning.

  “Why?”

  “Because I want to be near you. I don’t want to lose you, Annie. Not ever. Not if I can help it.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the long velvet box. “Merry Christmas.”

  Her eyes lit up. “But I haven’t gotten you anything.”

  “You’ve still got time. According to my dad, there are plenty of shopping days left.” He nodded to the box. “Open it.”

  She did, revealing the delicate chain and the silver heart pendant. “Brent, it’s beautiful. Thank you.”

  “You’ll always be in my heart.” He grinned, lazily stroking her thigh. “And I hope you’ll be in my bed, too.”

  She laughed. “You won’t get any argument from me.” She paused then, licking her lips.

  His heart tightened. Surely she wasn’t having doubts. He’d bet his soul that she felt as he did, but what if he’d been wrong? “But?” he urged, taking the plunge.

  “But New York.” She sat up, pulling away, but not letting go of his hands as she faced him. “How can you just pack up and leave?”

  “Do you want me there?” He had to hear her say it.

  “Of course. But you’ve got your job here. The family business. Everything.”

  “You mean more.” He sighed, then kissed her palm. “I never wanted to work at Carrington’s. But Dad pushed, and I gave in, and I ended up with an M.B.A. I didn’t want and didn’t need. I had a long talk with him this afternoon. He doesn’t completely agree, but he’s supporting my decision.”

  “What did you want?”

  “Law school. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, and I recently applied to four schools. I got into all of them. I’m planning on going to Columbia starting next semester.”

  “Columbia’s in New York.”

  He pulled a face of mock surprise. “You don’t say?”

  She laughed, then turned serious. “Is that the school you want to go to?”

  He saw the insecurity on her face. “It’s exactly where I want to be.” Brushing away a loose strand of hair, he met her eyes. “I don’t want to rush you. If you’re not ready, or if you don’t want—”

  “No!” Her cheeks flushed a delightful shade of pink. “I mean, of course I want you, too. Can’t you tell?”

  “I’d hoped.” Oh, how he’d hoped.

  She nibbled at her lower lip. “What about your dad? I’m not exactly from the same breeding stock as a Carrington.”

  He laughed, knowing that despite the sarcastic tone she was truly concerned about his relationship with his dad. “Don’t worry. We had a long talk. He knows how I feel, and he understands. And he’s pretty impressed with you, what with all your academic achievements and now this new job.” He shrugged. “My dad’s a tough nut, but eventually he cracks.”

  She snuggled against him. “Good.”

  He stroked her hair. “I love you, Annie. It hit me fast and hard, but I can’t deny the truth. And the truth is, I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” she said, as the weight of the world lifted from her heart. “I think I always have, and I know I always will.”

  Snuggling back into his embrace, she let out a contented sigh. “Who would’ve believed it?” she asked.

  “What’s that?”

  “That all my Christmas wishes would come true. And it’s not even Christmas yet.”

  Closing his eyes, Brent hugged her tighter, this woman who, for the first time he could remember, had brought pure joy to him for the holidays…and beyond.

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-3997-9

  MANHUNTING IN MISSISSIPPI

  Copyright © 2003 by Harlequin Books S.A.

  The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:

  MANHUNTING IN MISSISSIPPI

  Copyright © 1998 by Stephanie Hauck

  WRAPPED AND READY

  Copyright © 2001 by Harlequin Books S.A.

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