“Trust me, there is.” His voice drew closer. “You are the only—and I mean the only—woman who’s been horrified to find out that I’m actually Justin Dupree. I started using a fake name because when I introduced myself as Justin Dupree, women would start pawing me and hanging on my every word like I was Einstein. When I was a kid I enjoyed female attention, but after a while, I got pretty tired of wondering whether a woman was genuinely interested in me or if she just liked my family name and all the millions that came with it.”
“What a cross to bear.”
“I know.” He laughed. “It does sound ridiculous. Not many people have the luxury of complaining that they have too much money and too many women fawning over them.”
His body heat radiated through her clothes as he moved closer. “But it hurts when people don’t see you. When all they see is the name and the money and everything that can do for them. And if you’re surrounded by people like that, your life starts feeling pretty empty, no matter how busy you are.”
Her skin prickled at his nearness. Any minute now, she expected him to slide his arms around her waist in the proprietary manner that only a few days ago she’d found so charming.
But he didn’t.
“You’re not like that, Alicia.” He hesitated, and she could almost feel his breath on her cheek. “You’re not at all impressed by money or power or the trappings of prestige. You judge everything according to your own exacting standards. I realized that pretty fast and I knew I’d made a mistake in giving you a false name. I planned to tell you the truth, but then the fire happened and I didn’t want to upset you when you had plenty to be upset about already.”
Alicia wanted to snark, How thoughtful. But the words stayed on her tongue. It was thoughtful. He could easily have blurted out the truth. What did he have to lose?
Her in his bed?
He hadn’t actually tried to get her into bed at all. He’d kissed her good-night and hustled away to his own bedroom. She was the one who dragged him into bed.
“I love you, Alicia.” His soft voice crept over her like light from the last rays of the sun.
His words were so…heartfelt. They bypassed her anger and humiliation and touched something inside her.
“I know we haven’t spent very much time together, but I’ve lived long enough to know something good when I see it. And what we have is very, very good. I can talk to you about anything. You’re curious and enthusiastic. You truly appreciate the world around us, and the people in it.” He paused, and drew in a deep breath. “You bring magic into every day and I’d like to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Alicia’s heart nearly stopped. What did he just say?
Adrenaline flashed through her, making her hands twitch. She couldn’t possibly ignore him anymore. Even if it was just an act, he’d gone too far.
She turned, slowly, to face him. She found his handsome face taut with emotion. His deep blue eyes shone with passion and—as she knew it would—his imploring gaze sent a ray of tenderness right to her heart.
His arms hung by his sides, but she could see from the set of his shoulders that he itched to wrap them around her. “When I was in Hong Kong, I couldn’t think of anything but coming home to you.” He looked into her eyes. “All the things I used to like—going out to clubs, hanging out with friends, even taking a boat out on the water—nothing seemed fun without you there to share it.”
Alicia blinked. Something like hope bloomed in her chest. She was starting to truly believe him.
Then common sense splashed her brain like cold water. “But we’ve only been on a few dates. Maybe you’re just…attracted to me.” She didn’t dare believe it was more.
Though she had to admit that she’d been all but convinced he was “the one” before she found out about his name.
He tilted his head and a wry expression appeared on his face. “I know what attraction feels like. My reputation as a ladies’ man is no secret, and I admit there’s some fire behind that smoke. But what I feel for you is very different. It confused me, to be honest. I’ve always avoided emotional commitments. I never wanted a serious relationship.” His blue gaze darkened and the force of it threatened to knock her off her high heels. “But with you, I want so much that I don’t even know where it ends. I don’t want it to end, ever.”
She felt his hands at her waist—tentative at first, then firmer as her body yielded instantly to his touch. A deep sigh escaped her as she melted into his arms and their lips met. The kiss exploded through her, sending energy all the way to her fingers and toes.
Oh, Justin. His real name filled her mind, with the knowledge that he really was still the sweet, fun, exciting and caring man she’d spent that blissful weekend with.
The name was different but nothing else had changed.
She held him close, her fingers pressing into the muscle of his back and her head angled to his kiss. Justin’s arms wrapped around her and crushed her to his hard chest.
She’d tried so hard to push all thoughts of him from her mind, to forget all the dreams and hopes she’d enjoyed and reimagine her future without him in it. Now, in his arms, all the joy and anticipation and excitement came flooding back.
And the desire. Her nipples tightened against his firm muscle and heat flooded her belly. Her body throbbed with arousal and her fingers itched with a sudden urge to unbutton his crisp pale blue shirt and tug it off.
But they were outside on a balcony, illuminated by the glow of the setting sun.
“Justin,” she breathed, tugging her lips from his with considerable effort.
A smile lifted his mouth and lit his eyes. “You used my real name.”
“You’re still…you.”
“I certainly hope so.” His perplexed expression almost made her laugh.
He was the same man she’d fallen in love with. And yes, it was love. Otherwise it wouldn’t have hurt so badly when she tried to tell herself it was over.
“Rick Jones, Justin Dupree—they’re just names.” She bit her lip. “Maybe I made too much of the difference.”
“I never intended to deceive you. I just wanted to meet you as…a man. Not as someone with a price tag and a list of expectations attached.”
“Well, Justin Dupree, I guess it’s nice to finally meet you.” She reached out and pushed his hair back off his forehead. “You’re pretty cute, you know?”
“Thanks.” His adorable, dimpled smile weakened her knees a little further. “You’re not half-bad yourself. But it wasn’t your gorgeous face or your breathtaking body that I missed.”
“No?” She lifted a brow.
“Nope.” He shrugged. “I missed talking with you. I missed your smile, and the way your eyes sparkle when you’re excited. I missed your laugh, and the way you sigh when something moves you.”
Alicia swallowed hard. His emotion showed in his voice, and in the lines of his handsome face. Oh, boy. She was falling for him all over again. And how could she not?
She put her hands on her hips. “You didn’t miss my body at all?”
Justin cocked his head. “Okay, maybe I missed it a bit.”
“You didn’t miss my kisses?” She narrowed her eyes.
He looked sheepish. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.”
“And you’re never going to lie to me again, are you?” She leveled a hard stare right at those baby blues.
“Never.” He said it slowly, enunciating each syllable. “On my life, I will never lie to you again.”
Tears welled in her eyes, but she tried to blink them back. “I lied, too, so I could be with you.” She wiped away a tear that spilled out. “So, I know how it happens. I lied to my brother, who I love more than anyone.”
Except maybe you.
“Did you ever tell him you came to stay with me, instead?”
“I did. He was mad, but he got over it. I think he knows he was trying too hard to protect me, and it backfired.”
“And I was trying too hard to make you
like me, and that backfired, too.”
Alicia inhaled a shaky breath. “I do like you, Justin Dupree.” She blinked and he reached out to wipe away her tear. “I like you very much.”
His smile threatened to break into a grin.
Joy swelled inside her. “I think I might even be able to look past all that embarrassing wealth and notoriety you’re saddled with.”
“That’s big of you.” His grin broadened. “Not many people could be so open-minded.”
“I even like your name—Justin—it has a nice ring to it.”
“Justin and Alicia. It’s a stylish combination, don’t you think?” His gaze sparkled with warmth.
Alicia nodded, emotion flooding her chest. A sudden image of the letters J & A etched on a wineglass, or embroidered in linen napkins, snuck into her brain.
Get a hold of yourself, she thought.
But she really didn’t want to. Right now she wanted to let go. To shed all the doubt and fear and insecurity that had plagued her, and revel in the sweet joy of this perfect moment.
Except that they were on a balcony. At someone else’s apartment.
“We really should go back inside. Cara and Kevin are probably wondering what happened to us.”
Justin laughed. “They might think you pushed me off.”
“I’m still pretty mad at you.” She pursed her lips. “But I think I can get over it. I know from my brother’s experience that sometimes life can be a pain in the butt when everyone has an opinion about you before they meet you.”
He nodded. “It’s annoying when people start out with a cartoon version of you in their heads, and you have to work to show them there’s a real person in there, too.”
“Yeah. Poor Alex.” She grinned. “And poor you, too.” She pressed a kiss to his lips, which sent a ripple of desire shivering to her toes.
“Would you have dated me if you knew I was Justin Dupree?”
“No way.” She shook her head. “I’ve got a reputation to protect.”
“You’d have known your carefully guarded virginity was in mortal danger.”
“True.” She pretended to look thoughtful. “So in fact, maybe I would have chased after you myself. And then you’d have wondered if I just wanted you for your money and your fancy name.”
“I’m not sure I would have cared, in your case.” He kissed her. “I’d have just counted myself lucky.”
Alicia leaned her head against his chest, enjoying his natural male scent and the steadiness of his strong body. “We do have something really good together.”
She glanced up, taking in the strength of his chin and his chiseled cheek. “Whoever you are.”
His chuckle shook them both. “I’m glad you’re not holding my double identity against me anymore.”
“Guess it proves you can get used to anything. Though if I call out ‘Rick!’ while we’re making love, you have no one to blame but yourself,” she teased.
He growled and nipped at her cheek. “If you’re calling out while we’re making love, it’s all good as far as I’m concerned.” He tightened his arms around her. “I missed you so much.”
“I missed you, too,” she confessed. “I tried like heck not to. That’s why I was so mad at you. I couldn’t get you out of my mind.”
“That’s because we’re meant to be together.” His fingers caressed her back, heating her skin through her thin dress. “Alicia, I want to ask you something, and you don’t have to give your reply right away. You can think about it for a day, a week, a month, as long as you want. I have to ask though, or I’m going to explode.”
She swallowed. “Sure.” Fear zinged in her stomach. “Go ahead.” What could he ask after such a preamble? Her heart beat in terror and anticipation.
He pulled back a fraction, so she could look up into his face.
The last bronze rays of light illuminated his features, and emotion darkened his gaze. “Alicia Montoya, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
Ten
J ustin held his breath. He didn’t think she’d say yes, but for some crazy reason he had to ask anyway.
Patience had never been a virtue he could brag about.
And he wanted Alicia to know that she wasn’t just another woman to him, but the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
Alicia’s big brown eyes filled with tears. “I love you, too, Justin.” She said his name deliberately, but with warmth, as if she accepted his name and the real him that came with it.
She blinked, teardrops glittering on her long, dark lashes. “I know you don’t need an answer right away, and that the sensible thing to do would be to wait. We could date for a while, get to know each other. But—” She inhaled sharply. “I’ve never met anyone like you. Not because you’re rich and influential and all that other stuff, but because you’re thoughtful and caring and you really appreciate the opportunities life offers you, and you live each day to the fullest.” She swallowed and blinked again. “And I would like to marry you.”
“Yes!” Justin lifted her up in the air and she shrieked. Her body felt featherlight in his arms as he spun her around. Joy and excitement surged through him and he kissed her with force. “We’ll have a fantastic life together.”
“Are you psychic?” she asked, laughing.
“No, just smart.” He grinned. “And so are you, so you know I’m right.”
“You’re not very modest though, are you?”
“Not at all.” He shrugged. “Sorry.”
Alicia narrowed her eyes. “There is one thing you must do, before we can marry.”
Uh-oh. The serious look on her face sent a shard of alarm to his gut. “What?”
“You must ask my brother for permission.” Mischief sparkled in her stern gaze.
“What if he doesn’t give it?” Justin cocked his head.
“You have to convince him to give it.” A naughty smile crept across her sensual mouth. “Old-school style.”
“Oh, boy.” Justin frowned. “So, I have to promise to give him a herd of cattle for your hand in marriage or something?”
She winced. “It better be a good herd, with some prize bulls. And make sure you tell him he has to give me away at the wedding.”
“Hmm.” He chewed his lip. “I might need to add some wagons loaded with gold bullion.”
“I’m sure you’ll think of something.” She grinned. “You’re good at talking people around.”
“I’m certainly glad I managed with you.” He stroked her back, enjoying her softness through her delicate dress. “I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life missing you and being miserable. Kevin told me how lost he felt without Cara all those years.”
Alicia gasped. “We’d better go back in.”
They unwove their arms from around each other. Alicia straightened Justin’s shirt collar and he removed a smudge of mascara from under her eye with his thumb.
He took her hand and stepped back through the French doors. No sign of the apartment’s owners. The door to the kitchen still closed and no dessert on the table.
“Kevin? Cara?” Alicia walked past him. “We’re back and we have some news.”
Cara and Kevin came out of the kitchen. “We were wondering what you two were up to,” said Cara. “We wanted to give you some privacy.”
Alicia tucked her hair behind her ears. “We went out on the balcony.”
“Well, I’m glad no one got pushed off.” She glanced from one to the other.
“We made up,” said Alicia with a shy smile. “In fact, we more than made up.”
“We’re getting married,” said Justin, unable to keep a proud grin from spreading across his face.
Cara let out a shriek and tore across the room to Alicia. She kissed her hard on both cheeks. “That’s wonderful!” She grabbed Justin and kissed him, too. “I’m thrilled for you both!”
Kevin beamed. “I don’t think Cara was ever going to forgive herself if you two didn’t
get back together. She’s done nothing but mutter about how she should have kept her damn mouth shut. So, you’ve made my wife happy as well as your future bride.”
“She’ll be my bride as soon as I can convince her brother to give her away.”
“Oh, boy.” Kevin grimaced. “Better wear a bulletproof vest when you go ask.”
“Alex isn’t that bad,” protested Alicia. “He’s just a little overprotective.”
“He’s a lot overprotective.” Cara grinned. “I wish I could be a fly on the wall at that meeting.”
Justin’s steady nerves were a point of pride, so he didn’t at all like the way his finger shook slightly as he pressed the buzzer at the gates of El Diablo.
He’d called to set up a meeting with Alex, but his messages had gone unanswered. Alicia had simply shrugged and told him Alex wasn’t great at returning calls, so he should stop by the ranch.
He could swear she had a gleam in her eye at the time. She wanted him to prove his love for her.
Well, damn it, he would.
The intercom crackled to life and a voice grunted, “Yeah?”
Alex. Apparently, he took personal charge of the security system.
“Alex, Justin Dupree here.” He went for authoritative confidence. “I’d like to talk to you about Alicia.”
To his surprise, the iron gates started to swing open.
So far, so good. Justin piloted his Porsche inside. The hair on the back of his neck prickled a bit when he glanced in the rearview mirror and saw the gates swing closed behind him.
Calm down. He’s your future brother-in-law. If this Brody thing ever gets settled, you might even be friends one day.
He wondered if Alicia was home. Perhaps she was watching secretly from one of the windows.
She’d refused to move in with him until they were formally engaged, so he was pretty sure he wouldn’t see her in his bed again until he got Alex on his side.
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