“I never said a damn thing about sleeping,” he growled, taking her earlobe between his teeth. “Don’t go getting any crazy ideas like that.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
By the time they’d made it up to their room—which was significantly fancier than the one they’d stayed in last time and had a giant Jacuzzi in it—Lance was already trying to undress her.
“Patience, oh horny one.” She slapped away his hands. “We have something to discuss.”
“Can I discuss it with my hands?” His fingers played across her hips and he knocked over one of the suitcases as he pushed her back toward the bed.
“I’m serious.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“All right, I’ll behave…for now.” He dropped onto the edge of the bed and tucked his hands under his thighs.
“I’m going to need those.” She reached for her bag and pulled out a small black box tied with a red ribbon.
Getting the gift into her bag without Lance seeing had been a difficult task; he was forever dumping his stuff there—like keys, phone, and his wallet. It was something that should have annoyed her but didn’t. He entrusted her with everything from the small physical things he needed to run his life to the larger more important things. Like his heart.
And now she wanted to return the favor.
They’d moved slowly at first, going on dates like any normal couple who didn’t know one another. Then they’d started sleeping over at each other’s place and last week he’d asked her to move in with him. Permanently. The “yes” that had launched out of her like a rocket had shocked them both. But she’d never been so happy and now she had enough data to know for certain that her risk had paid off.
“What’s this?” he asked as she put the box in his hands. “I didn’t know we were doing gifts.”
She swallowed against the emotional lump in her throat. “Don’t worry, it didn’t cost much.”
Raising a brow, he tugged at the bow and wrapping in his rough, manly way. She no longer bothered to carefully tape down the edge of the paper because she knew he’d open it with all the dexterity of a drunken llama. But the joy on his face that appeared no matter what she’d given him—whether it was a cupcake she’d picked up at the fancy bakery on the way home from work or something more meaningful—was worth any amount of messy, shredded paper.
He opened the plain white box and his face froze. “Why?”
“Put it on.” The gold of her grandfather’s watch glinted in the light. “I need to see if I have to take any links out.”
“I thought you weren’t going to let anyone touch this ever again?” He slipped the watch over his wrist and closed the clasp. It was a perfect fit.
“I love you, Lance.” Saying the words aloud made her feel like a buoy at sea, floating and weightless. “When I walked out after the convention I was convinced I would never find anyone who would be worth the risk of falling in love. But you’ve made me realize that it is worth the risk. You are worth the risk.”
“Does that mean you’re going to stop telling me how bad the odds are?” His lip quirked as he reached out for her.
“No, I always like to know what I’m getting into.” She ran her thumb over the watch face. “It looks good on you.”
“You look good on me.”
She stepped between his open legs and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I wholeheartedly agree.”
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” He ran his hands around her hips and leaned back, pulling her onto the bed. “And not just because you’re the sexiest thing on two legs.”
She laughed as he rolled her beneath him. “You only want me for my body.”
“I want all of you, Bailey. Yes, I want your body but I also want that beautiful brain of yours. I want that sharp tongue and that big, big heart.” He squeezed her butt. “And I want this delicious ass.”
“You’re such a joker.”
“Maybe. But there’s one thing I’m dead serious about.” His eyes caught hers and they were silent for a moment, the air quiet except for the sound of her heart thundering in her chest. “I love you and I want to be with you forever.”
“Forever is a long time,” she whispered.
“It’s nowhere near long enough.”
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Acknowledgments
Thank you, as always, to my wonderful husband. I would be nowhere without your support. You’re the best partner and best friend I could ever have hoped for.
Thanks to my roomie and dear friend, Luke, for always respecting my need to be in the writing cave and for making me coffee when I’m glaring at my computer screen.
On that note, thank you to my coffee machine. You make each day possible.
I can’t ever seem to figure out a way to express this strongly enough, but thank you to all the readers and reviewers who take the time to read my books. It means the world to me and I value every single one of you. There was a time in my life when I wrote words only for myself. While I still write the stories of my heart, writing for you all is so much more rewarding. Thank you.
I have to call out a few readers in particular. An extra heartfelt thank you to Helen Sibbritt, Jan Van Engen, Lyn Morris, and Diana Tidlund. You ladies brighten my life with your reviews and your comments on Facebook. Your support keeps me going. Thank you.
About the Author
Growing up, Stefanie came from a family of women who loved to read. Her favorite activity was going shopping with her Nan during school holidays, where she would sit on the floor of the bookstore with her little sister and painstakingly select the books to spend her allowance on.
After leaving her hometown of Melbourne to explore the world, she’s settled in Toronto…for now. By day (and night!) she writes romance with humor, heat, and heart, and tries not to spend too much time shopping online and watching baby animal videos on YouTube. To find out more about her upcoming released be sure to sign up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bbhIsD
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Loving the Odds (What Happens in Vegas) Page 13
