“That’s yours, not mine.”
She sat up. Poked him again. “Don’t give me that. Miss Margaret adored you. You never gave her a bit of trouble, which is more than you can say about me.”
“She didn’t leave all this to me, Callie.”
Her look was sly. “Well, then, I guess you’ll just have to make an honest woman of me so I’ll share.”
She drove him crazy, that wily brain of hers. “I intend to.”
Callie grew serious. “You really mean it, don’t you?”
“Dead serious.” He sat up, too. “Callie, I want to make a family with you.”
“But what about college? Or your art? Or both? You could even travel, and—”
He hushed her with a kiss that turned quickly carnal. When she was writhing against him, he dredged up the last bits of control. “I swear I never met anyone who loved to argue any more than you.” When she narrowed her eyes at him, he stroked down her body, rewarded by her gasp.
“There’s no reason we can’t manage all of it, lawyer lady.” He gazed at this woman who was his miracle. “You’re smart, I’m smart. We both work hard. And we’ll make incredible babies….” He fell silent as their gazes met and the tragedy of those long-ago years shimmered between them.
“Maybe we shouldn’t—” she began, shadows stealing over them again.
“You were too young, honey. Your body wasn’t ready. We’ll be fine, I really believe that. If you’re willing, that is. If you’re not, that’s okay. You’re what matters.” He touched his forehead to hers. “I’m ready to take chances, my love. How about you? Gamble on a beat-up old ex-con?”
Her smile was tremulous, but her eyes warmed with hope. “The only crime you’re guilty of,” she said, stroking his jaw, “is stealing my heart.”
“Do the crime, do the time.” He held out his wrists. “Lock me up, lawyer lady, and throw away the key.” He bent to kiss her. To love her, to hold her for the rest of their lives.
Thankful to his marrow for every day of pain, every heartache, every bump in the rough road that had brought her back to him.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4153-8
THE MAN SHE ONCE KNEW
Copyright © 2009 by Jean Brashear.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.eHarlequin.com
The Man She Once Knew Page 19