by E. Ayers
“Maybe you felt that way about it, but putting sunscreen on each other was hardly platonic.”
She giggled. “Got to admit it was fun.”
“You’re a tease.”
“And you’re not?” She looked into his mesmerizing eyes.
“Maybe a little.” He reached under her spaghetti tank and cupped his hand over a breast causing her to inhale. “I’d like to do a whole lot more, but not on the beach. I think we need to go back inside.”
He let go of her. Together they shook the blanket and folded it before they walked across the still warm from the day’s sun sand to his house.
Once inside he took off for the staircase to their bedrooms. “Stay here for a second. I’ll be right back.”
She watched him take the steps two at time. His well-muscled body was slightly bronzed from their vacation. It had truly been a working vacation, but she had enjoyed every moment. It didn’t take him long to return. He went into the kitchen and opened a bottle of dessert wine. She slipped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder blade. When had he’d grown so tall?
“How’s your mind?” he asked.
“Huh?”
“Did you leave it open enough to discover anything about being with me?” A small smile tugged at his lips as he turned and faced her.
“Meaning?”
“Did you quit hating me?”
“Hmm, I think the only time I really hated you was over the ordeal with the cheat sheet. I hated the fact that you constantly kept me on my toes and never gave me an inch. I also liked you for doing that, more than I realized at the time.”
He unlatched her body from his and began to fill the two glasses he retrieved from a cabinet.
“It wasn’t until I got into college that I realized how much you actually did for me. I couldn’t ask you how you got the answer to number twenty-five.” She took the proffered glass of chilled wine. “As for the lust factor - it’s still very much there. You’re right. There is more to a relationship than sex. I think we’ve proven that we are actually good friends.”
“I’m glad to hear that because from the moment I realized you were in that first meeting, I wanted you. I want you in my life. I want to spend every free moment I have with you, if only I had more.” He stopped talking long enough to take a sip of the wine, but his eyes never left her. “My life isn’t conducive to the kind of relationship that most women want. I can promise you that I’d never be unfaithful and I won’t tolerate it from a spouse. My wife would never be forced to work, but if she did I believe it would better--”
She reached up and put her fingers over his mouth.
He shrugged.
She touched his shoulder and gazed into his warm brown eyes captivated by their flecks of color. She ran her fingers through his hair. His mouth beckoned her as if begging to be kissed. His breath smelled of the wine. She leaned into him. Her nipples stood at attention against his chest. His erection was evident and she wanted it. “Maybe there is a fine line between love and hate. I know what I’m feeling. How about you?”
“I know exactly what I want.” He pushed her away by her shoulders before he reached into his pocket and held his clenched hand in front of her. “The question that remains is do you want the same thing?”
She gazed at his hand and then into his eyes. Ignoring his hand, she ran her hands up his arms to his shoulders and then leaned into him. She wiggled her hips against him as she stared into his eyes. “I want you, Dickie, and not just for tonight. I don’t want this vacation to end, but mostly I don’t want to think about living my life without you being part of it.”
“Then give me your hand. I told you if this time together proved me right, I’d be willing to say I do.” He took the ring he held in his hand and put it on her finger. “Marry me?”
She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I love you, Dickie Warren. I probably always have. I just didn’t know it was love.”
“I’ve always loved you.”
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About the Author …
E. Ayers is an avid reader and loves a good romance. A true believer in love at first sight because it happened to her, she thinks everyone should find that special someone. When it happens, it’s magical. Writing about true love is what she enjoys doing and when she’s not spending time with her two dogs and waiting on his royal highness (the cat), she’s busy writing. The official matchmaker for all the characters who wander through her brain, she likes finding just the right ones to create a story. She adores hearing from her fans and can be found on Facebook and at her website.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/E-Ayers/142704215795770?sk=wall
http://www.ayersbooks.com
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Other Books by E. Ayers
Mariner’s Cove (a novella) available June 2011
Wanting (A River City Novel) available August 2011
A Snowy Christmas (a novella) available October 2011
New Beginnings (A River City Novel) available November 2011
Table of Contents
A Fine Line
Midpoint