“How did you two meet?”
Good. Get her thinking about other things. He led her into the living room and eased her into his lap. “If you want me to talk, you have to sit here.”
“I don’t understand. You were so angry.”
“Shhh. I was in shock. I needed time to get my thoughts straight.” He brushed his lips against hers. “You don’t think much of my feelings if you think that a stupid decision can negate what I feel—and make no mistake, I will be lecturing you long and hard about what could have happened if I didn’t see that blood in the snow. But everything after that, everything we shared was real. And you didn’t hurt me, not really. You didn’t even try. You only hurt yourself. And you were desperate for your sister.
“Now, back to Lance.” He wanted to keep the conversation for the moment on others. Later, they could delve into themselves. “Our mothers were sorority sisters.”
“Really? Close friends?”
“Maybe once, but Mom keeps her close because she doesn’t trust her. Mom and my godmother, Amelia Anderson, made sure that Lance knows what a loving family really is. Amelia and Mom figured out back in college that there was a mean streak a mile wide in Mrs. Edgeworth. I think it’s why Amelia agreed to be Lance’s godmother as well. It gave her an excuse to stay in touch and keep up with him. My mother, on the other hand, simply informed Lance’s mother that he would be staying with us over school breaks.”
“I think I’ll like your mother and godmother very much.”
He stilled, not wanting to read too much into her answer. But it was for the first time a talk about the future. “Does that mean you are willing to meet my family?”
“If you still want me to.”
“I do, but is there anything else I need to know about?”
“You mean, are there any other dark skeletons lurking in my closet?”
“Nothing you say can change how I feel.” He grimaced as a look of disbelief crossed her face. “Read me. Isn’t that what you told Sarah? You taught her to read people’s faces so she could be safe.”
“Her father suffered from bipolar depression. And I guess I hoped she would get lucky and it wouldn’t affect her.”
“But it has.”
She nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes.
“It’s not your fault. It. Is. Not. Your. Fault.”
“I know that in my brain, but my heart says I could have done more. I should have protected her. I should have checked in more.”
“She’s an adult who didn’t want her big sister coming around.”
“How often do you see your siblings?”
“At least once a month for a family dinner. Mom’s orders.”
“It’s been six months and then only because I ran into her on the street.” She moved into his touch as he caressed her cheek. “I tried but she…”
“Didn’t want your help.” He placed her on the seat next to him and turned so she could see his face, read the anger and concern. “Now, about your little stunt on the mountain. What the hell were you thinking!”
She didn’t recoil from his anger, but she did blush. “I was thinking that if you rescued me, I would have an open window to get to know you.”
“What if it had been someone else?”
“I waited until I saw you coming up the lift. I knew Devil’s Bend was your favorite trail. The lift operator said you ran it nonstop. I watched you make a few runs. You always scan the hill. Lance doesn’t. He checks that no one is below him, but you check the tree line.”
“So you knew I would see the evidence you left.”
“Yes.”
“That was a gamble.”
She bit her lip. “But did it pay off?”
He leaned in and kissed her hard. “That remains to be seen.”
“I love you.”
“Prove it by throwing away that envelope. I’ll protect your sister. We’ll get her the best help. If she needs a group home or assisted living, I’ll cover it.”
She choked on a sob. She opened the envelope and pulled out a wad of cash. “To pay for the skis.”
The thought that he needed a couple hundred dollars to cover the loss of the rentals was ludicrous. “I don’t need you to pay for the skis.”
“I need you to take this,” she insisted, offering him the cash again.
“Why?”
“Because you paid for my deception, and I need to pay for it.” She placed it in his hands. “And I know you don’t need it. I need it.”
“I’ll take this only if you take something from me.” He got up, went back to the closet, and pulled the box from his coat pocket. If he was going to do this, he would do this right. Squaring his shoulders, he crossed the room and got down on one knee. She let a sob escape. “I know we haven’t known each other long. But you know me better than anyone. I’ve shared things with you I’ve never shared with any other woman. Including my heart.”
“You can’t want me.”
“But I do.”
“Your family…”
“Says to follow my heart.”
“Lance?”
“I’d be a fool to let you go, but I still have to go to the concert.”
She bit her lip. “Sarah.”
“We will talk to Sarah’s doctor and break it to her gently. You can’t stop living because of her.”
“I’d want a prenup.”
He paused. That wasn’t what he expected her to say. “Whatever for?”
“To protect you? You want to protect me, you have to allow me to do the same.”
“Please marry me.” He placed the ring on her finger.
She threw her arms around him, landing them both on the floor. “Yes.”
“Forget lunch.” He placed the ring on her finger. “You see, that is why I knew you were the one. You are the only woman who I value more than food.”
“That is high praise. Mr. Rankin.”
“High praise indeed, future Mrs. Rankin.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. “Come along, I plan to savor every inch of you for the rest of the afternoon. I want to see you bare of everything except my ring.”
He led her back into their bedroom. A sense of peace came over him he hadn’t felt since they left the mountain weeks ago. Tomorrow he would start the process of moving her in here. Then, together, they could find a home that fit both their needs. And, finally, he’d make her part of his family, show her she wasn’t alone. For now, he just needed to make her his all over again. She might have tried to trap him, but she failed to realize they had trapped each other.
It was a trap he had no intention of trying to escape. Ever.
ABOUT DOMINIQUE EASTWICK
Award winning author Dominique Eastwick currently
calls North Carolina home with her husband, two children,
one crazy lab, and one nuts Norwegian Elk Hound. Dominique spent much of
her early life moving from state to state as a Navy Brat.
Because of that traveling is one of her favorite pastimes.
When she’s not writing, you can find Dominique with her
second love, her camera.
Connect with Dominique
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Find Dominique:
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OTHER BOOKS BY
DOMINIQUE EASTWICK
1NIGHT STAND (HOUSE OF LORDS)
The Duke and the Virgin
The Marquis and the Mistress
The Earl and his Virgin Countess
The Viscount and the Heiress
THE WICCAN HAUS:
Shifting Hearts
Siren’s Serenade
Healing his Souls Mate
Breaking the Mating Bond
Fallen Dragons (Healing Harvest)
THE S
HERMAN SERIES
Hunting JC
Tony’s Haven - 2012 — Aspen Gold winner for Best Erotic Romance
Kissing the Bridesmaid (A Sherman Cousin short story)
Killing Lucas
Kissing the Tycoon (A Sherman Cousin short story)
Spencer’s Chance
Taming Trent
HEIRS TO THE DUKE
For Love or Revenge
COOKIE CLUB ROMANCE SERIES
Hot Burning Love
BLACK HILLS WOLVES SERIES
Infiltrating her Pack
The Virgin’s Infiltrator
1NIGHT STAND SERIES
Strawberry Kisses
HOT MOON RISING SERIES
Second Chance Desire
SWEET CHRISTMAS KISSES
Kismet and Cocoa
SHIFTERS OF YELLOWSTONE
Bear with Me
Bearing the Hunger
Alpha’s Second Chance
ZODIAC SHIFTERS Zodiac Sanctuary
Her Billionaire Lion
Shot Through the Heart
Through the Blizzard (Christmas Kisses)
COMING SOON
Kissing the FBI Agent (A Sherman Cousin short story)
Loving Sage (The Wiccan Haus)
The Lion and the Country Mouse
Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe_The Billionaire Trap Page 6