Ask Me
Page 6
Gerri’s pulse began to beat in a dizzying rhythm. How had she imagined she could live without Leo in her life? The mere sound of his voice affected her, as did the deep comfort of his presence.
In a corner behind the stacks, two leather chairs nestled together. She sat in one and Leo took the other, their fingers parting but his gaze all over her, like a touch.
“It’s good to see you, Gerri. So good.”
“And you. How have you been?”
He shrugged, and for an instant misery swam in his eyes. “You?”
“Crazy,” she answered honestly. “I think I went crazy for a while. I’ve been up, down, not knowing left from right or bad from good. Then I got an overdue notice for a book. Our book.”
She juggled the volume in the crook of her arm, and interest quickened in his eyes. “We never read it.”
“I never even unwrapped it—till now.” A crooked smile spread across her face. “You remember that night, that mad night?”
“I’m not likely to forget.”
“I think there might have been a little magic in the air—and in this place. Leo, I’ve been struggling since I sent you away. I’ve asked and asked for an answer. I didn’t receive one till now.”
Silently, she presented the book to him. His hands rose instinctively to accept it.
Would he get it? Would he go with it? His reaction in the next seconds might well determine the future of their relationship.
Behind his specs, his eyes widened. He shot Gerri an incredulous look before a big smile broke on his face.
“Leap of Faith,” he read the title, his tone buoyant and joyous.
A corresponding smile came to Gerri’s face. “Want to renew the book? Do you want to take that leap with me, Leo Rankin?”
His expression turned serious. “It’s all I’ve wanted for weeks. But, Miss Webb, I have a couple of stipulations: if we agree to this, we go in wholeheartedly. I want you to know you’re no passing fancy. If we have problems, we talk them out. If we have difficulties, we work through them. I’m in this for the long run.”
“Me too,” Gerri whispered and leaned toward him. Their lips met with a little flurry of heat and magic.
When the kiss ended, a tactile pledge given, Gerri said, “Want to go renew the book and come home with me?”
“Ah,” Leo said, a soft laugh in his voice, “I thought you’d never ask me.”
A word about the author...
Born and raised in Western New York, Laura Strickland has pursued lifelong interests in lore, legend, magic and music, all reflected in her writing. Though her imagination frequently takes her to far-off places, she is usually happiest at home not far from Lake Ontario with her husband and her “fur” child, a rescue dog. Author of Scottish romances Devil Black and His Wicked Highland Ways as well as The Guardians of Sherwood Trilogy and two steampunk romances (Dead Handsome: A Buffalo Steampunk Adventure and Off Kilter: A Buffalo Steampunk Adventure), she’s pleased to say that Ask Me is her first contemporary romance for The Wild Rose Press.
Thank you for purchasing
this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.