He clasped the card and box and simply stared at it a minute. “For what?”
“You know for what. Saving my butt.”
One corner of that gorgeous mouth turned up. “You didn’t have to do that.”
She smiled. “Shut up and open it, McNamara.”
He laughed and did as told. He pulled the ribbon apart and unwrapped with caution, not ripping the paper as she expected. The thought of those slow, thoughtful hands on her body flashed into her mind and a wave of heat hit her. God.
When he lifted the gift card out of the box he said, “This is awesome. Thank you.”
“I didn’t know what you like to read, or even if you like to read, so I got a gift card to the online bookseller and just hoped,” she said.
He nodded toward the stack of books on the coffee table. “I can’t get enough reading. Fiction and nonfiction. I’m buying an E-reader soon so I don’t have to carry so many books.”
“I’m glad I guessed right then.”
He opened the card and read it. She’d made sure it wasn’t too personal or flowery and had a masculine outdoors scene on the front. She’d penned simple words inside.
Thank you for everything. May the reading give you many hours of enjoyment. Cecelia.
Heat filled her when he looked over at her with pleasure on his face. “I’m glad you came by.”
She cleared her throat, a little self-conscious even though her venture had turned out well so far. He placed the box and card on the coffee table and when they settled back, he laid his arm on the couch behind her.
“How have you been?” he asked. “How is your ankle?”
“A little sore but it’s on the mend.”
“Good.”
She explained about her coworkers and the reporters. “I find that it all bounces off me. The experience with Peter really turned some things around in my head. How are you? I heard you’ve been cleared of any wrongdoing by the sheriff.”
“I was about to call you with the news if you hadn’t heard. It’s a load off my mind. I’ve been thinking about what you said…about blaming myself for my friends’ deaths. I’m not one hundred percent there yet but I may be getting some perspective finally.” His eyes held sincerity, his voice low and soft with truth.
She found herself leaning closer to him. “I’m happy you’re feeling better. You’re a good man, Jake McNamara.”
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and the quick brush of his skin against hers cause a tingle to race over her skin and pool in her stomach. “Stay for dinner tonight. I mix up a mean plate of spaghetti.”
Pleasure made her answer quickly. “I’d love that.”
“Thank you for giving me a new beginning, Cecelia. We’ll take this slow and easy.”
She drew closer to him. “There’s one thing I don’t want to wait for.”
“What’s that?”
“When I was locked in that trunk there were a lot of things that ran through my mind. And there was a big regret I had. A very big regret. That if I didn’t make it out of the situation alive, I wouldn’t have the chance to kiss you.”
When their eyes locked, she saw the need in his eyes and the pure emotion.
“God, Cecelia.” He threaded his fingers through her hair. “I’m so damned glad you’re here with me.”
When he leaned toward her, and she met him halfway, she got the kiss she’d wanted. His mouth was warm and delicious and tasted of mint. He cupped her face, his fingers gentle. She responded, wanting more than anything to stay right here for an eternity. His kiss turned deeper, his tongue asking permission, and she let him inside. One stroke and then another, and her stomach did that little thrill and jump and arousal settled in her breasts and belly. Oh yes. This is good. Very good.
And the start of something wonderful.
Epilogue
Three weeks later
Cecelia rolled over and snuggled into the pillow next to her. “Mmmm.”
She gloried in the scent—manly and so familiar. She buried her face in the pillow and groaned. One of her eyes popped open and she looked around the bedroom for signs of the man she’d just slept with for the first time last night. She heard the clang of pots and pans and reached for her phone on the edge of the bed. Six o’clock in the morning. She rolled over on her back and stared at the ceiling. He was up already? Especially when they’d rolled around in this bed until eleven last night enjoying every inch of each other’s bodies. She smiled. And God what a body he has. Beyond that, he had the most beautiful mind she’d ever encountered.
The bedroom door popped open and he peeked inside. “Good, you’re up.”
“With all that noise, I sure am.” She smiled.
“Get up, lazy. It’s time for breakfast.”
She sighed. “I’m full. You saw to that last night.”
She wasn’t talking about food either.
He laughed and she recalled last night when he’d told her he’d never smiled so much in his life. She’d changed him. Made him want more laughter and happiness in his life.
He wandered into the room, shirtless, wearing nothing but his jeans. She ogled him as he sauntered her way. His chest was gloriously muscled and sprinkled with a bit of dark hair. He sank onto the bed next to her and leaned down for a kiss. She flung her arms around his neck and drew him down. When their lips met she almost asked him to take off his jeans and do her.
When he came up for air, she gave him her most evil grin. “Maybe I should just eat you for breakfast.”
Jake’s dark eyes went serious. “Come with me to Colorado Springs. To Fort Carson. I think the army is going to let me stay in.”
She smiled with joy. “Really? That’s wonderful, if it’s what you want.”
“It’s not a for certain thing, but it’s looking better all the time that this brain injury is getting better. I want us to be together. I know this is sudden, but I also know that I’m falling for you hard and fast. I want to make this work.”
Happiness started deep inside her, a new tender awakening that promised to grow larger as time went by. “Yes.”
“Yes?” He sounded almost as if he didn’t believe she’d answered in the positive.
“Absolutely. Positively. Yes.”
And he kissed her again.
About Denise A. Agnew
Suspenseful, erotic, edgy, thrilling, romantic, adventurous. All these words are used to describe award-winning, bestselling novelist Denise A. Agnew’s novels. Romantic Times Magazine called her romantic suspense novels Dangerous Intentions and Treacherous Wishes “top-notch romantic suspense”. With paranormal, time travel, romantic comedy, contemporary, historical, erotica and romantic suspense novels under her belt, she proves her gift for writing about a diverse range of subjects. (Writing tales that scare the reader is her ultimate thrill.)
Denise’s inspiration for her novels comes from innumerable sources, but the fact that she has lived in Colorado, Hawaii and the United Kingdom has given her a lifetime of ideas. Her experiences with archaeology have crept into her work, as well as numerous travels throughout England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Denise currently lives in Arizona with her real life hero, her husband.
Denise welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
Tell Us What You Think
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Also by Denise A. Agnew
Bridge Through the Mist
Dangerous Intentions
Daryk World 1: Daryk Hunter
Daryk World 2: Daryk Rogue
Daryk World 3: Daryk Craving
Daryk World 4: Daryk Warrior
Deep is the Night 1: Dark Fire
Deep is the Night 2: Night Watch
Deep is the Night 3: Haunted Souls
Ellora’s Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis II anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Tales from the Temple IV anthology
Major Pleasure
Meant to Be
Special Investigations Agency: Clandestine
Special Investigations Agency: Hideaway
Special Investigations Agency: Impetuous
Special Investigations Agency: Instinct
Special Investigations Agency: Jungle Fever
Special Investigations Agency: Maneater
Special Investigations Agency: Over the Line
Special Investigations Agency: Primordial
Special Investigations Agency: Shadows and Ruins
Special Investigations Agency: Sins and Secrets
Special Investigations Agency: Special Agent Santa
The Dare
Treacherous Wishes
Print books by Denise A. Agnew
Bridge Through the Mist
By Honor Bound anthology
Dangerous Intentions
Daryk World 1: Daryk Hunter
Daryk World 2: Daryk Rogue
Deep is the Night 1: Dark Fire
Deep is the Night 2: Night Watch
Deep is the Night 3: Haunted Souls
Ellora’s Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis II anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Tales from the Temple IV anthology
Meant to Be
Special Investigations Agency: Clandestine
Special Investigations Agency: Hideaway
Special Investigations Agency: Impetuous
Special Investigations Agency: Primordial
Special Investigations Agency: Shadows and Ruins
Special Investigations Agency: Sins and Secrets
The Dare
Treacherous Wishes
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
www.ellorascave.com
Redemption Ridge
ISBN 9781419944574
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Redemption Ridge Copyright © 2013 Denise A. Agnew
Edited by Ann Leveille
Cover design by Syneca
Photo: Photos.com
Electronic book publication January 2013
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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
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