“I found it in the open door.”
Mallory had forgotten it. She opened her hand and he dropped the key in it.
“I can’t live without you.”
Did she hear him right? The water had begun to boil and the whistle of the teakettle muffled his voice. She glanced at the kettle and at the man, unsure which one to react to.
“What did you say?” Deciding on Brad, she faced him, ignoring the pot. He moved around her, took it from the burner and turned off the flame.
“I said I love you and I can’t live without you.”
Breath left Mallory’s body and her knees weakened at the same time. She bent over.
Brad caught her and pulled her close.
“I didn’t expect this reaction.”
Mallory grabbed hold of him, but struggled to keep her mind clear and logical. “Brad, you’re leaving. I have a commitment here.”
“I know you do. I’m not leaving. I’m staying here.”
“What? When? How?”
“I went back to Texas, and I missed you.” He dropped a kiss on her lips. “You didn’t even come and see me in the hospital.”
“I did.”
“But not when I was awake.”
Mallory said nothing. She tried to pull herself out of his arms, but he tightened them.
“I got my job back at Philadelphia General.”
Her heart nearly burst, then she remembered his mother. “What about your mom? You were going back to be close to her.”
“She’s only a three-hour plane ride away. And I’ve arranged with a local university to take me on as a teaching assistant. I’ll be there two days every two weeks. I can see my mother then. The rest of the time I can spend with my wife.”
“Wife? Brad, are you sure?” She could hardly get the words out.
“I’m sure.” He kissed her forehead. Mallory struggled to keep hold of her senses.
“What about—” Her words were cut short by the pleasure that ran through her as his mouth settled on her neck. “What about people leaving you?”
“Rosa told me she talked to you about that.”
“I can’t guarantee you that this will last forever, that we won’t grow apart.”
“I can’t promise you that, either,” he said. “But I can promise that if you’ll marry me, I’ll try my best to make it forever.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “What do you say?”
Mallory showed him. She kissed him, saying yes with each kiss she rained on his face.
“By the way,” he said when she released his mouth for a moment. “That thing you said about us having children together. I want five.”
“You said you didn’t hear me!”
“I lied.”
Mallory swung at him. He caught her arms and pushed them behind her, imprisoning her body against his. His mouth took hers and history began.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-3274-7
LOVE ON CALL
Copyright © 2004 by Shirley Hailstock
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 editorial office, Silhouette Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of Harlequin Books S.A., used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
Visit Silhouette at www.eHarlequin.com
Love on Call Page 19