Playing the Part
Page 22
“Good?”
“Good, because when I believed you didn’t know who I was, I didn’t have to be Anthea-Cane-the-actress. I was free to be who I really am.”
Hang on, she thought. Wasn’t he supposed to be the one explaining himself? He’d somehow managed to turn the tables on her, and now she found herself wanting to do what he should be doing. Strangely enough, she didn’t care. What did it matter who said what, as long as the truth came out?
Finally, he faced her. “And who, exactly, are you?”
“Someone who can put herself in your shoes,” she said, “and understand why you wanted to get back at me.”
As she took a deep breath, she noticed his sunglasses. She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them.
“And someone who hopes more than anything in this world, that by getting to know me—the real me—that your plan backfired on you in the best possible way.”
Cole dropped the pruning shears and closed the gap between them.
“The very best way,” he agreed.
Trembling, she took his hand in hers and pressed it to her cheek so he could feel her smile. He grinned at her, leaned in and kissed her just the way she liked. When he lifted his head, he took off his sunglasses, tossed them aside and squinted as he wrapped her in his arms and rested his forehead against hers.
“I’m so sorry,” he said, “but you have to know, my little plan never worked. Every time I thought I could embarrass you or make you uncomfortable, you managed to turn it right around on me… and that’s when I fell in love with you, Anthea Cane.”
Her heart soared, and it seemed like he was looking right into her again, just like the night they made love. “And I love you, Cole Daniel.”
She slipped her hands into his hair and pulled him in for a passionate kiss.
When they came up for air, he still seemed to be gazing into her eyes.
“I swear you’re looking right at me,” she said.
He let out an amused huff, gave her a cheeky grin and touched her hair. “So much better dark. Blond just doesn’t suit you.”
Her mouth dropped open in amazement.
“Cole! How… when?”
“It’s a long story, and my sight isn’t perfect yet,” he said as he took her hand in his. “But there is something I wanted to tell you I was wrong about.”
“What’s that?”
“There are some things in this world worth seeing.”
* * * * *
About the Author
Darcy Daniel loved reading from an early age and fell in love with many genres, but was drawn most of all to romances, leaving her thrilled when she won the Charter Oak Golden Acorn contest for Best Contemporary Series Romance.
Darcy lives on acreage in a cottage with her family and energetic dog. With friends and family close by, she enjoys life in the picturesque, small historic town of Windsor in Sydney, Australia.
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ISBN: 978-14268-9501-2
Copyright © 2013 by Naomi Lamont
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