Mine for a Day (Finding Love Book 8)
Page 19
Bluebell came up beside him, rubbing her head against his legs. “Hello, there,” he said, bending down to pet her. “Have you had a nice day bossing around the dogs?”
He looked up to see Violet walking his way. He quickly turned the lock and waited for the fallout. She jiggled the doorknob. When it didn’t open, she glared at him, putting her hands on her hips. “Did you lock me out?” she asked through the glass.
“Why would I do that?”
“How should I know? I still can’t figure out why your clothes never make it to the hamper.” She jiggled the doorknob again. “Will you please open the door?”
“What’s the password?”
Her lips twitched. “How would you like to move back into your old bedroom?”
“That’s not it, but I’m thinking I should open the door anyway.” He leaned over to unlock the door.
“Good choice,” she said, coming inside. “We’ve got about an hour before we have to leave for the play.”
“I’d forgotten about the play,” he said, bending down to give her a lingering kiss.
“Me, too, until Summer reminded me.” She walked over to the sink.
Jackson moved behind her and lifted up her hair. He felt her instinctive movement toward him and smiled as he kissed the creamy skin of her neck. “I think we should stay home,” he whispered in her ear.
Violet turned in his arms, her fingers playing with the buttons on his shirt. “We can’t do that.”
“How firm are you on that decision?” he asked, tipping up her chin and kissing her deeply. She melted against him, her hands rising from his chest to his shoulders and then to his hair. He knew he only had to ask again, and she would cancel their plans. This willingness to put him first made it impossible for him to deny her anything. Which meant they’d be going to the play. With one last kiss, he let her go.
“Not as firm as I was a few minutes ago,” she said with a grin.
He laughed as he walked over to the refrigerator. “I’m going to eat something, and then I’m going upstairs to change into something more suitable for The Springer.”
“That was a rapid change of position.”
“You’re very persuasive, too.” Jackson removed a plain white take-out box. “Is this what I think it is?” he asked hopefully.
“It could be. What do you think it is?”
“A rack of ribs with sweet slaw and garlic bread.” He opened the lid and grinned. “I know my take-out boxes. There must be something other than the play going on here. What other thing have you committed us to?”
“Nothing. That’s a ‘thank-you’ for coming with me tonight.”
He put down the box and reached for her. “I had something else in mind for that, but this is a great start.”
Later when he sat beside her in the darkened auditorium, Jackson felt her hand reach for his. He moved closer until he could feel her thigh pressed against his and smell the floral scent that clung to her. A lump formed in his throat as he thought about how much he loved her and how blessed he was to have someone who showed him with every breath, every word, and every touch that she loved him.
The words he’d said to his sister all those long months ago floated through his head. We’re the smart ones, Willow. We’ve opted for a peaceful existence apart from the highs and lows of being in love. It may not be as exciting, but it’s a lot less dramatic. A smile touched his lips as he turned to look at Violet. He’d still be spouting off such ridiculous statements if it hadn’t been for her. Only a fool would prefer to live without love. It was what made life worth living.
The End
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Coming Late Fall 2017: A New Year’s Kiss (Finding Love, Book 9)
Also by Delaney Cameron:
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Julie’s calm life is thrown a curve ball when her brother arrives the night before his seven-month deployment asking her to take care of his son. As a preschool teacher, she’s used to dealing with toddlers, not nine-year-olds. Noting her nephew’s interest in baseball, Julie signs him up for little league. She’s anything but thrilled to find out that his coach is a celebrity.
Eric returned to St Marys to lick his wounds and start over. But even in his hometown, he’s known more for his unfortunate appearance on a reality dating show than for his seven years in the major leagues. All he has to show for that poor decision is an ex-wife and a broken heart.
Julie’s obvious disapproval makes her the perfect choice for his team mom. If she doesn’t like him, she won’t cause any problems. But will that be enough to keep his growing interest in her in check? And as Julie’s preconceived notions about sports figures slowly unravel, will she be able to resist the man behind the public persona?
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