by Linda Barlow
"I'm not that handy. But I suppose I could hire someone. If you really, really want one, that is."
She couldn't stop laughing. "I love you so much. Sometimes it still seems like a dream that you love me, too."
"Idiot," he teased, the warmth in his eyes flooding her with love. "I knew as soon as I met you all those years ago that someday you were going to be my partner in life."
"Oh, sure."
"Really. I loved your ass even when you were too young for me to fuck."
"Your ass is pretty cute, too," she laughed.
"You know what I think we should do this summer?" he said after a while. "Rent a wind surfing rig for a few days in honor of the afternoon we fell in love."
"I'll bet you still can't keep your balance."
"You'd lose. I want you to know I now have mad wind surfing skills."
"You probably wiped out that day because you wanted to kiss me and chose that as an excuse to take me in your arms and—"
He stopped her mouth with a kiss. "I've never needed an excuse for that."
Viola closed her eyes, luxuriating in the feel of him, the warmth of him. She had never felt so at one with any human being before, and he was to be hers, forever.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. We're having a guest for dinner tomorrow night at my place," he said a little later when they were curled up together in her brass bed.
"Hmm? We are? Who?" She was nearly asleep.
"I've invited your father. He said yes. He's bringing the wine."
Her eyes opened wide. "My father is coming to dinner?"
"Yeah. He and I have been talking. We're kinda getting to be friends again."
She was dumbfounded. "I thought you hated each other?"
"Oh well, you know. Water under the bridge and all that. Deep down, I always liked the guy. And I think he liked me. Deep down I think maybe I wanted him for my own father."
"Wow. Are you, like, at peace with the whole world now?"
"Yup. I'm at peace with the world," he said lightly. "How about you? You happy? You feel safe and secure and loved?"
"So much," she agreed, kissing him gently and holding him close until they both fell asleep.
The End
Author's Note: Stephen Silkwood, the hero of The Dangerous Hero, has previously appeared in two other stories of mine—Blazing Nights and A Kiss is Just a Kiss. He was mentioned briefly in my romantic suspense novel, Uncover Me. Stephen is a friend of Kate, Jeff, Max, and Nick, who are all main characters in my novels. However, The Dangerous Hero is a standalone novel.
If you like Sexy Bad Boys:
Nick: She thinks I'm dominating. Cruel. But I've got a dirty job to do. Uncover Me.
Daniel: She’s a psychic? With a reincarnated cat? Don’t make me laugh. Blazing Nights.
Stephen: I want it all: whips and chains. Hearts and kisses. The Dangerous Hero
Connor: She accepted a ride with me? Her troubles are just beginning. Color Me Blue (novella).
Shane, the ultimate bad boy Navy SEAL: Badass (co-written with Alana Albertson).
For bad boy alpha male shifters, check out The Zrakon’s Bride , The Zrakon’s Curse, and my latest Montana shifter novel, Alpha’s Darkling Bride.
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My website: http://www.lindabarlow.com
Linda's Bio
Linda Barlow is the author of 25 novels, with more on the way. She lives in New England with her spouse (who sleeps during the day, which has often made her wonder if he's a vampire) and their equally enigmatic and nocturnal cat.
Linda has written in various genres, including historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, New Adult romance, family sagas, and general mainstream fiction. Publishers have included Doubleday, Dell, Penguin, Warner Books, Hachette, New American Library/Signet, Berkley/Putnam, Silhouette and Harlequin.
Linda is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author. She's proud to have earned a few awards over the years, including the Rita from Romance Writers of America for Leaves of Fortune; New Historical Novelist of the year from Romantic Times for Fires of Destiny; and a Career Achievement award from RT.
