by Unknown
'Patrick- You're telling me you'll let me handle my own problems? The way you let me handle this tax thing?'
His control snapped. 'Molly- ! Hell!' He cut himself short and spun away from her to the window, glaring at an innocent dogwood tree.
Behind Molly, a door opened and Edward's voice called out cheerfully, 'Pat! There you are! Listen, David saw your car down at the terminal on the Nanaimo side. Did you want-'
'Get the hell out of here!' Patrick spun around, glowering at Edward.
Abruptly, the door closed. Molly whispered, 'Darling, it's his house.'
He stared at her, then she saw the tension slowly drain from his body. 'Did you call me darling?' She nodded and her eyes turned from blue to green. Patrick saw all the words of love that she had never felt free to give him until now.
'Are you sure, Molly? If you're here, near me, I can wait. You've got to be sure.'
She touched his arm. 'My darling Patrick, I've always loved you.'
He reached for her and she said on a breathless rush, 'Please will you start looking after me again? If you overdo it, I promise I'll say. I-please-' She laughed breathlessly. 'Say something! Do something! I don't know how to finish this scene. I-do you still love me?'
He closed his eyes briefly and marvelled in a shaken voice, 'I don't believe you asked that. There can't be anyone between here and London who doesn't know what I feel about you.'
She knew, had always known in her heart. She touched his chest fleetingly, felt the shudder of reaction go through him. He moved to her, his eyes shifting from warmth to fire.
'You should know better than anyone,' he said wryly. 'I used to have an even temper. The only person I'd ever shouted at was my older brother, and that years back.'
He took her face in his hands gently. 'Molly, darling, you're the only person in the world who can destroy me by walking away. I never knew anyone could have that kind of power over me, never wanted it... until I saw you. You're... light and colour and love. Everything.'
Her lips moved towards his and he brushed them tenderly, 'So much more than passion, Molly. You're so deep in me, I can feel every breath you take. I want to look after you, slay your dragons and protect you.' He cleared his throat and admitted, 'I don't seem to be able to stop myself needing to do that for you. All I can promise is that I'll try not to do it more than you want. I- Oh, God, Molly! Don't cry!'
'Then do something about it,' she whispered. 'Take me home. Protect me from the bears.'
He laughed low in his throat. 'There aren't any bears.'
She knew better. Her lover had already slain the bears, not to mention the dragons. He took her hand and led her towards the back door. She worried, 'Shouldn't we say something to Sarah and Edward? You shouted at him.'
'Yes, we should,' he agreed. 'But we won't. They'll forgive us. Sarah will even come help you when we have our children.' He pushed her through the door, closed them both outside.
'I left my purse inside. And my jacket. And... ' She was trembling deep inside, but although she said, 'It's cold out here,' she could feel the warm excitement growing. Our children.
He drew her close. 'I'll keep you warm.' He knew the way and she followed, a smile on her lips and a song in her heart.
'You realize,' she warned him. 'You have to marry me if you really mean it about the children.'
He stopped walking and took her fully into his arms. It was a long time before she could breathe, much less talk. Then she gasped, 'Has it occurred to you that whatever it is that makes a Saul Natham might be genetic? That you're taking a risk?'
'Whatever it is that makes the woman I love might be genetic, too. And besides, you and I could tame even Saul Natham.'
He drew her towards his house, but she held back, insisting, 'He'll do other things. One day he'll do something that will splash your name all over the media with his.'
'Maybe,' he agreed easily. 'Don't you understand yet, darling? First in my life, before anything else, comes the woman I love.'
She let him draw her up the stairs. 'You mean, I'm not to worry?'
'You're learing, my love.' He opened the unlocked front door and swung her up into his arms. 'Welcome home, Molly,' he whispered, and carried her inside.
Biography
VANESSA GRANT is the author of 30 romantic women’s fiction novels, and the critically acclaimed how-to book, Writing Romance. Her books have been translated into 15 languages and she has over 10 million books in print. Her West Coast North American settings are popular with readers worldwide. Vanessa lives in Canada with her husband and divides her time between writing and teaching.
Books by Vanessa Grant
Pacific Disturbance
Storm
Shadows
The Chauvinist
Jenny’s Turn
Stray Lady
Stranded Heart
Takeover Man
Awakening Dreams
Wild Passage
Taking Chances
One Secret Too Many
So Much for Dreams
The Touch of Love
Angela’s Affair
With Strings Attached
When Love Returns
Hidden Memories
Nothing Less Than Love
After All This Time
Catalina’s Lover
Dance of Seduction
Strangers by Day
Yesterday’s Vows
The Moon Lady’s Lover
If You Loved Me
The Colors of Love
Seeing Stars
Think About Love
Wind Shift
Visit www.musecreations.com for eBooks by Vanessa Grant
eBook Info
Title:With Strings Attached
Creator:Vanessa Grant
Date:2/16/2003
Copyrights:Copyright 1991, Vanessa Grant Copyright 2003, Muse Creations Inc
Publisher:Muse Creations Inc
Subject:Romance
Contributor:Muse Creations Inc