Debra Webb - In His Touch Box Set (Here To Stay, Up Close, Tempting Trace, Basic Instincts)
Page 52
Jake refused to hope for more. “Then why did you come here?” He tossed his hammer aside and gave her his undivided attention.
She took a deep breath, “I came here to tell you what I discovered during my, uh, fieldwork.”
He braced his hands at his waist. “I’m all ears.” He reminded himself that nothing she could say would change the fact that she had deceived him... lied to him.
She took another step in his direction, her gaze fixed firmly on his. “I discovered that chemistry is what first draws a man and woman together.” She shrugged. “Call it lust, plain and simple. But what takes them beyond that point is something much more profound. An inner connection that binds them heart and soul for however long they’re willing to allow that tie to hold them as one.”
“Sounds logical enough,” he said slowly and for a lack of anything else to say. He would not hope... not yet.
“People fall in and out of love every day. Chemistry—lust—is not enough. It takes hanging on to the tie that binds with both hands. Suzy and Dan have hung on and look at their love. Their new baby.”
Jake looked away as he thought of little Danielle, of watching her birth, and seeing the pride, joy and love shining in her parents’ eyes.
“I love you, Jake.”
His heart was hammering, but he looked at her steadily.
“I know we can’t fix things between us just like that. I know I made a mistake.” She blinked, her eyes bright with emotion. “But I’m willing to hang on with both hands if you are.”
“But you’re not who I thought you were,” he argued, more with himself than her.
“I know.” It pained her to say the words—he could see that on her face, hear it in her voice. “But inside I’m still Merri. The way we met was wrong but I’m glad we did. If I hadn’t taken that chance, we’d still be strangers.” She shook her head. “I love you, Jake. I love who you are and what you do. And if you’ll give our relationship another chance, I’ll prove to you that I’m exactly who you thought I was.”
He stiffened with the effort of holding back what he really wanted to say. “But your life is in New York. Mine is here.”
“I’m a writer. I can do what I do from anywhere,” she offered, hope replacing the hurt in her eyes. “I’ve decided to retire from my counseling practice.”
“You’d give up your life and home in New York to stay here with me?” Anticipation soared inside him. He prayed she’d say yes to that one question, but how could she?
She smiled tremulously. “Oh, yes. My life and home are where you are.”
Jake hadn’t expected to hear those words. His voice softened noticeably. “You know I love you, Merri. I mean,” he cleared his throat “Meredith.”
She took another little step in his direction. “I like it when you call me Merri; please don’t stop.”
“Merri,” he said. “I’m just a guy who runs a construction company.” He shrugged uncertainly. “You’re a bestselling author with a degree in psychology. Everybody in the country knows who you are. Are you sure you want me?”
Slowly, button by button, and without saying a word, Merri undid her dress. She shrugged it off and it fell around her ankles in a blue puddle. Jake’s groin tightened at what he saw next. Wearing nothing but a satin blue bra, the skimpiest matching panties he’d ever seen and blue high heels. Merri moved in on him. Here was the Merri he knew. The temptress who could thrill him with just one touch. Before he could anticipate her intent, she tiptoed and planted a hot kiss on his mouth.
“The answer is yes, Jake.”
Still, he hesitated. “But for how long?”
She smiled. “Forever.”
And then he let go and basic instinct took control.
About the Author:
Thank you for selecting a Debra Webb story. Though Debra has earned a reputation for outstanding romantic suspense, she began her career with nearly a dozen sassy and sexy romances. For the first time these heartfelt romances are now available worldwide in digital format. Previously published as a Kensington Precious Gems, available only in Walmart for one short month, Debra is proud to present her beloved tales of romance. If you enjoyed BASIC INSTINCTS be sure to look for Debra’s other exciting Pink House Press releases:
Sassy and Sexy Romances
FREE FALLING
TEMPTING TRACE
UP CLOSE
HERE TO STAY
KEEPING KENNEDY
TAMING GI JANE
GOING TO THE CHAPEL
THE BACK-UP PLAN
The Jackie Mercer Sassy, Sexy Mystery Series:
DIRTY – series debut
Romantic Suspense
BONE DEEP
SEE HER DIE
The Traitor (A short story of Romantic Suspense)
DEBRA WEBB, born in Alabama, wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the military behind the Iron Curtain—and a five-year stint with NASA—that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has penned more than 100 novels including her internationally bestselling Colby Agency series. The debut, OBSESSION, in her romantic thriller series, the Faces of Evil, propelled Debra to the top of the bestselling charts for an unparalleled twenty-four weeks and garnered critical acclaim from reviewers and readers alike. Don’t miss a single installment of this fascinating and chilling twelve-book series!
Visit Debra at www.thefacesofevil.com or at www.debrawebb.com. You can write to Debra at PO Box 12485, Huntsville, AL, 35815.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten