“No. David is getting his mobility back and will be doing therapy for some time. They don’t need me any longer. So I’m back in New York. At my old job.”
“Oh! I’m happy David’s doing better. Sorry you’re back at the old job.” Her insides were churning, her palms damp. Why had he called after all this time? What could he possibly want? “So what’s up?”
“I heard that you’re living in Miami now. You still planning on buying that theater with your friends?”
“Yes. And good news—there’s a grant we can apply for. That would sure help things out financially.”
“That is good news.”
“So how did you know I was here and not in Paradise Cove?” She walked back to her bottled water, and rubbed it over her hot forehead.
“I spoke with your mother.”
“Why?” Where was this conversation leading? Why didn’t he just come out with it? Did he want to see her? Did he still care?
“I wanted to apologize to her for leaving without thanking her properly or saying goodbye.”
Her guts clenched. He wanted to apologize to her mother? And not her? “I’m sure she was happy to hear from you.”
“I pulled the play, Brit. The producer really liked it, but I told him it was no longer available.”
“You did?” She swallowed a lump in her throat. “What did he say to that? Couldn’t have been too happy.”
“No, I don’t think he was. Another bridge burned.”
“That’s not good.” She thought about him working at a job he hated, all the years he’d wasted, to lose this opportunity now. She regretted the part she played in it, but it could have had a different outcome if only he had asked.
“It’s fine.” His voice was smooth as good scotch whiskey. “Better than fine. I have other ideas which hopefully will work themselves out.”
“Anything you want to share?” Her heart was racing now. There was something about his voice that had her almost giddy.
He sounded like the man she’d fallen in love with. Always a hint of laughter in his emerald eyes, a teasing smile on his lips, a swagger that made her heart stop.
“Well, I have a business proposition for you. I know a good playwright with a fantasy play, and since you’re in the theater business and all, figured I’d give you a call.”
“Hmm. So, let me see. You want us to buy a theater and produce your play?” She wasn’t sure if she should be annoyed or thrilled.
“I hoped we might be able to discuss this in person.”
“Sure.” Disappointment kicked her in the gut. He wasn’t here to see her. It was all about his damn play. She should have known. No man had ever loved her enough to stay. “I suppose we could do that. Want to set a date and a time?”
“How about thirty seconds from now?”
She nearly dropped the phone. “Where are you?”
“Outside your door.”
Her heart galloped inside her chest. “How did you get in?”
“Someone was leaving and he held the door for me. And your mother kindly gave me your address.”
“She did, did she?” Ha! Just like her mother. Always conniving and hoping to marry her daughters off. Not this time, mommy dear.
“Well, are you going to open the door, or send me packing?”
“Both are tempting ideas.” She had already walked to the front door and now she slipped the lock off. Her pulse raced like a cricket on speed. She took a deep breath.
And there he was.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
“Chase.” She looked into his beautiful face and felt a magnetic pull. Without any thought, just impulse, she glided into his arms.
“Brittany,” he breathed her name, and kissed her forehead. “God, I’ve missed you.”
She pulled away and blinked back tears. “Then why didn’t you call?”
“I tried several times, but I hung up. You had a right to be angry with me.” His eyes held hers, and she could see his were moist. “I was wrong to write that play about you. It was your story to tell.” He caressed her cheek with a feathery touch. “I didn’t know how to make it right.”
“And you do now? You think showing up on my doorstep and asking me to produce your play will magically make everything okay?”
He smiled softly, and lifted her chin. “God, I love your spunk. You are a beaut, you really are.”
She slapped his hand away and glared at him. “I’m not going to do it. You can’t sweet talk me into producing your play. Heck. We don’t even own a theater yet.”
“Will you be my Fairy Queen?”
“No, I won’t.” He was so full of himself, so arrogant and sure that she’d do anything he asked. Well, she wouldn’t. Not a chance in hell.
“Yes, you will.” He pulled her back into his arms and kissed her. Long and hard, and deliberately. His tongue swept inside and tangled with hers. His hands roamed over her back, then slid down to her butt, tucking her in.
She could barely breathe, but clung on. He had sucked away her will to fight, her will to do anything but hold on tight and revel in the hardness of his body, the scent and heat of him.
He broke away, but didn’t let go of her hand. “First things first, then I’m going to take you to bed. With your permission, of course.”
“Bed? You will do no such thing.”
He lifted an eyebrow and smiled. “First. I apologize for not asking your permission to write that play. I’ll never make that mistake again. You can make every decision from here on in. What we eat, where we go, who we spend time with.”
“Why would I do that? We are not an item. There is no ‘we’.” She crossed her arms so that she didn’t wrap them around his neck and hang on for dear life.
“Brit. You need to know something.” He dropped his hands and took a short step away. “I’m not the man I used to be. I’m homeless, out of work. Gave up my job at the ad agency. Put my apartment in the city up for sale.”
“Why did you do that?” Was he in financial trouble? Did he need this play to be produced, to get back on his feet? Perhaps she owed him one.
“Because I don’t want to live in New York City without you.”
She held her breath. Her heart did a butterfly kick. “That’s a poor reason. Anything else?”
“I realized something in the past few weeks. I don’t want to live anywhere without you. I love you, Brittany Holmes, and I hope you love me.”
She closed her eyes. She had dreamed of this moment. Had wanted it to be real.
He tugged her gently toward him and kissed away her tears.
“Please say you do.” His voice was a whisper against her cheek. “I promise I’ll make you happy and never disappoint you again.”
She glanced down. “I forgive you, but I’m sorry too. You can’t take all the blame.” She sniffed. “I know I over-reacted. You thought it would be good news.” Her eyes held his, and she reached out to touch his cheek.
“Thank you, but still, it was wrong.”
“I don’t care anymore.” He was worth more than her pride, and he had suffered enough. “Where are you staying?”
“I don’t know. Can you recommend someplace?” He glanced around. “I don’t take up much space.”
Brittany moved closer to him. “Neither do I.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him. “Do you have a suitcase?”
“Yup. In the car.”
“Why don’t you run down and get it? I don’t usually let homeless men sleep with me, but I’ve got a good feeling about this.”
A slow heart-melting smile lit up his face. “Damn, but I love you.”
“Ashley Chase, I love you so much it hurts.” She clung to him for a long moment. “You must promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“I will give you my heart, but you must take care of it. You can’t ever leave. Not ever. You hear?”
“I’m not fool enough to leave you twice. I promise to be with you as long as I can.”
He sealed the p
romise with a kiss, then led her toward the bedroom. “I love you. I need you, and I want you to be my wife.”
“Oh, Ashley. Yes. Yes. Yes!” Then she jumped on the bed and pulled him down with her. “You have permission to take off my clothes.” She laughed with delight. “And your own.”
He grinned. “See. Isn’t this going to be fun?”
“I can be very bossy. Extremely demanding. I’m a Prima Donna, ya know?”
“The more demanding, the better. Let’s give it a shot, shall we?”
“Absolutely. Now, get undressed.” Brittany had found the role of a lifetime, and fully intended to enjoy every minute.
THE END
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Thank you for reading PARADISE COVE TRILOGY! If you enjoyed this book, I’d appreciate it if you’d help others find it so they can enjoy it too.
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PARADISE COVE - 3 BOOK SET: PARADISE COVE SERIES Page 68