by Mallory Kane
Behind her, Archer didn't move. She closed her eyes briefly, then headed toward her bedroom with her jacket and carry-on bag.
"Resa?"
She stopped at the door without turning around. Something in his voice sent a spear of loneliness through her. Suddenly, even if she'd wanted to, turning around wasn't an option. She couldn't face him with her eyes spilling over with tears. She set her jaw, ignoring the drops tickling her cheeks as they ran down. She was determined not to reach up and wipe them away while he was looking at her.
She'd feel better in the morning. She was just tired, that was all. As soon as he left, she'd climb into bed and have a good cry and a good nap and by tomorrow everything would be fine.
Or at least better.
"Come home."
She'd thought he'd said come home. She'd misunderstood him. Hadn't she?
She ducked her head and swiped at the tears. Then she turned around.
"Pardon me?" Her voice sounded choked, as if her heart were beating faster than a drumroll. It was.
His mouth curled slightly, but his eyes held wariness. "I'd like for you to come home."
"Home?" She took a deep breath, but it caught in her throat. "Archer, don't play with me. I'm too tired. Too—"
"I would never play with your heart," he said solemnly.
Resa's face turned white.
Archer held his breath. He'd found out from her mother when she'd be back, and he hadn't slept a wink last night. He'd faced Resa a hundred times, asked her the same thing a hundred different ways, but that was practice. This was for real.
And he was scared spitless. He hadn't realized how thoroughly she'd gotten under his skin. How completely she'd taken over his life, how she'd become as necessary to him as the air he breathed.
He hadn't realized how much he loved her.
"What?" Resa's face grew paler, if that were possible. Her deep-green eyes widened.
Had he said that aloud? His heart felt as though it had dropped to his feet, and his chest tightened until he was afraid he wouldn't be able to speak.
"I guess—" He swallowed and started over. "I guess I said I didn't realize how much I love you."
She didn't move.
His throat quivered. Damn. Facing bad guys was a picnic compared to this. He'd been closed off for so long, he'd forgotten how to be tender, how to woo a woman. "I'm not handling this very well."
She didn't say anything.
Not handling it well? Hell, he sucked at it. He rubbed the back of his neck.
"No—" she croaked in a small voice. "No, you're doing fine."
He took a step toward her. "It's been a long time."
She nodded, her gaze never leaving his. "I know."
"So what do you say?" His mouth was so dry he could hardly speak.
"What are you asking?" She took a step toward him.
He shrugged and spread his hands. "So would you want to get married?"
To his surprise, she laughed and stepped into the circle of his arms. "Archer, you make a wonderful hero but you suck at romance."
He kissed her cheek, tasting the salty flavor of her tears. "I'll trust you to teach me."
ISBN: 978-1-4268-1155-5
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Copyright © 2008 by Ricky R. Mallory
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Scanned by Coral