Smitten by the Brit--A Sometimes in Love Novel
Page 33
Above them, the clouds shifted, the sky growing brighter as the drizzle slowed to a gentle patter. He held up his other hand, ring resting on his open palm. “I’m saying I want you to wear this. I’m asking you to wear it.”
Bonnie stared at the ring, the gemstone glittering in the shifting light and shadow. “That’s meant to be worn by someone worthy…” she paused, fingers flexing, tightening their hold on Theo’s shirt as his mother’s words rang in her ears, “… worthy of being a duchess.”
“I said I want you to wear this, Bonnie. And I meant it. Anyone who has a problem with that can go to hell, my mother included.” A muscle ticked in Theo’s jaw. “I want you to be my wife, to be my duchess.”
He wanted her to be his duchess? Bonnie shook her head, lost for words.
“If that’s too much to ask right now, I understand. We’ll figure something else out. We’ll find a way.” Theo cocked a smile at her. “I’m thinking of starting a writer-in-residence program up at the Lakeland property.” His dimples flashed. “Do you know anyone who might be interested?”
The backs of her knees tingled, and she tightened her grip on his shirt still further. Me! She wanted to shout. This girl right here!
“Come home with me, Bonnie. We’ll live in the cottage and take long walks and make love in the meadow and drink tea and eat too much gingerbread and you can write, and I can do, well, whatever duke stuff needs doing.”
The corners of her eyes prickled. A soft August breeze tickled her cheeks, sending leaves from a nearby tree scattering. As she watched them take flight, she was transported to a night not so long ago. So much had happened since that April evening when she’d watched her last flower petal float away. So much had changed. She’d changed.
“Well?” Theo asked, eyes full of love and hope and a dash of fear. “What do you think?”
“I think this is the most awesome friends-with-benefits package I’ve ever heard of.” Bonnie giggled nervously. She understood his fear. She was scared too. Like him, this wasn’t what she’d planned, what she’d spent years telling herself she wanted. “Also”—she took a breath—“I think yes.”
“Yes?” he asked, sunlight breaking across his face. He bent to kiss her, then hesitated, brow furrowing with a shadow of doubt. “Yes to which part?”
She released his shirt and plucked the ring from his palm. “All of it.” She was about to slip the ring onto her finger, when he stopped her.
“Let me, love.” Theo took the ring back, positioning it over her left hand. But before he put it on her finger, he paused, almost bashful. “I know you’re smitten with the cottage but”—his blue eyes met hers—“you were joking about the friends-with-benefits thing, right?”
“Oh, Theo. You really think that’s all I’m smitten by?” Bonnie raised her right hand, touching his cheek. “You were always more than just a Brit with benefits.”
A tentative grin lifted one corner of his mouth. “Always?”
She brushed a thumb over his dimple. “Always.”
Finally, he slipped the ring on her finger.
Bonnie sighed, relishing the feel of it sliding into place, the gold band still warm from his skin. She held up her hand. “How does it look?”
“You look good wearing my future.” Theo brushed his lips over her knuckle, just above the ring. “How does it feel?”
“Honestly, I was worried it might feel weird,” she admitted, staring down at the ring. “But it doesn’t. It feels right.” She lifted her face to his. “Good.”
“Good.” Theo’s smile grew, dazzling in its intensity.
Immediately, Bonnie’s knees buckled, and she reached out, clutching his shoulders.
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her upright as he bent his head and covered her mouth with his. The bold sweep of his tongue surprised her. Dizzy and breathless, she clung to him. This wasn’t a sweet, chaste Austen-hero kiss. This was a raw, dirty, Theo-turned-hungry-beast kiss. If his dimples hadn’t already knocked the ground out from beneath her, his kiss would.
“Christ, you taste like heaven,” he growled.
“Lemon pie scone.” She smiled against his mouth. “Want some?”
“Later.” He moved to kiss her again.
She backed up, hand over his lips. “What would you have done if I said no?”
He shrugged. “Stood here on the sidewalk and waited for a bloody miracle, I suppose.”
She laughed and then gasped, pointing overhead. “Like that?” Above them, the sun finally made good on its promise. Up and down the block, people stopped, gazing up at the vibrant rainbow streaking across the summer sky.
“Care to make a wish?” Theo asked, mouth quirking, knee-tickling dimples winking.
“Nope.” Bonnie shook her head, heart full. “I have everything I need,” she said, pulling her dashing duke closer, “right here.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A love for literature runs deep in this book, and I would be remiss not to begin by noting my eternal gratitude for the works of Shakespeare and Jane Austen. Yes, I know neither of them will be reading this, but one must give credit where credit is due.
Next, to my Portland Midwest crew: Clara Kensie, Erica O’Rourke, Lynne Hartzer, and Melanie Bruce, thank you for the endless love and support. Shout-out to Clara and our long sock Sundays getting all the words.
Thanks to Shannyn Schroeder and Ricki Wovsaniker for their insightful, honest critiques. A big not-sweaty hug to Christine Palmer, my morning workout partner who understands what deadline stress is and was a constant cheerleader as I dragged myself across the finish line.
Much love to my Golden Heart sisters, the Mermaids and Rebelles, for their priceless words of wisdom and equally priceless sense of humor and generosity of spirit. Special thanks to Kari Cole and Alyson McLayne; I never would have reached “the end” without being able to sprint at all times of the day and night with you ladies.
My editor, Jennie Conway, who adores Jane Austen as much as I do. Thank you for gently pulling me back when I got carried away. Also, when you told me Bonnie and Theo are your OTP that was perhaps the best compliment ever, and I will never forget it. I’d also like to extend a note of thanks to my copy editor Christa Soule Desir, who makes me glow with happiness because she totally gets my sense of humor and catches all my references. I have been truly blessed with a phenomenal team helping bring this story, and this series, to the world, and I am grateful to everyone at St. Martin’s Press for their time and talent.
To my mom, whose pride in me makes me feel like I can do anything, thanks for the unwavering love, and for telling every person you meet to buy your daughter’s books.
To my daughters, both fierce and feisty redheads, clever and funny and beautiful, the heroines in their own stories. Thank you for filling my life with joy and understanding when mom needs her “writing time.” Lots of love and thanks to my husband, whose affection for my freckles may have found its way into this book.
Finally, for my readers—most especially my fellow Shakespeare lovers and Austen-ites, and those who coo over stationary supplies and get goosebumps in bookstores—this one is for you.
Don’t miss Cassie and Logan’s story
Getting Hot with the Scot
Available now
Stay tuned for the next book in the Sometimes in Love series
Once Upon a Bad Boy
Available Summer 2019 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Also by Melonie Johnson
Getting Hot with the Scot
Praise for Melonie Johnson and Getting Hot with the Scot
“A fun, sexy, and delightful read!”
—New York Times bestselling author Julie James
“Unabashedly sexy and romantic, Melonie Johnson’s debut is a fabulous read!”
—USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader
“Getting Hot with the Scot is a wild romp, a ton of fun, and a new addition to my favorites shelf!”
—New York Times bestselling auth
or Christina Lauren
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
After earning her Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from Loyola University Chicago, Melonie Johnson—aka #thewritinglush—taught high school English and Theatre for several years. An award winning author and a two-time RWA Golden Heart® finalist, she writes smart and funny contemporary romance and moonlights as an audiobook narrator under the pseudonym, Evelyn Eibhlin. She lives happily ever after with her husband, two redheaded daughters, a dog that’s more like a small horse, and a pair of hermit crabs. She is the author of the Sometimes in Love series which includes Getting Hot with the Scot and Smitten by the Brit. You can visit her at www.meloniejohnson.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Acknowledgments
Also by Melonie Johnson
Praise for Melonie Johnson and Getting Hot with the Scot
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
SMITTEN BY THE BRIT
Copyright © 2019 by Melonie Johnson.
All rights reserved.
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ISBN: 978-1-250-19305-6
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St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / May 2019
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.