“What exactly am I looking at?” she asked warily.
“It’s the deed to the Diamond. In your name.”
Shock filled her body. “What?”
“I’m giving you the bar back, sweetheart. Free and clear.”
Her fingers trembled over the phone. For a moment, she wondered if this was another game, another underhanded maneuver she didn’t quite understand.
“Why?” she finally asked.
“Because I don’t want it.”
“Since when?” Suspicion lined her tone as she added, “Last I heard, owning the Diamond was so important you were willing to screw over someone you supposedly care about.”
“Not supposedly,” he said softly. “And definitely not care.”
Insult prickled her skin. “Pardon me?”
“I don’t just care about you, Sam. I love you. I meant it when I said it the day you left, and I mean it now.”
The words stole the breath right out of her lungs. Yet she still couldn’t bring herself to trust him completely. She hadn’t believed him the first time he’d said it. The words had seemed too desperate, too convenient, as if he’d say anything to make her forgive him. But now, staring down at him, she wondered if he did mean it. “You really love me?” she asked.
He tilted his head up and shot her a grin. “Since the moment I met you.” He hesitated. “I know I acted like a jerk. I didn’t tell you about my plans for the Diamond and I’m sorry. But you need to know that I’d rather have you in my life than a silly bar. The Diamond is meaningless without you in it.”
She swallowed. Hard. Silent, she ran his words over and over again in her head, studying the earnest expression in those smoky blue eyes of his. She was slightly taken aback by it all. Gone was the arrogance and ego, replaced by the kind, tender Riley she’d always known lingered under the surface.
She gulped again then released a slow breath. “I won’t take the Diamond back.”
“You won’t?”
“Nope. Not unless your name is next to mine on that paper. Not unless you’re by my side running it.”
She heard his sharp intake of breath on the other end. “You mean that?”
“Yes.”
“You…forgive me?”
“Yes.”
“And you love me?”
She smiled. “Of course.”
She saw him smile back. Then he hung up the phone, cupped his hands over his mouth and called, “Then get your sweet ass down here already!”
With a grin, she walked out of the apartment, down the stairs and straight into Riley’s arms.
About the Author
To learn more about Elle, please visit www.ellekennedy.com. Send an email to Elle at [email protected] or visit her blog, the Sizzling Pens, at http://sizzlingpens.blogspot.com.
Look for these titles by Elle Kennedy
Now Available:
Hot Summer Nights
Bad Moon Rising
Red Hot Summer
Heat of the Moment
Dance of Seduction
Midnight Encounters
It’s “Look, but don’t touch.” Until the object of Hailey’s fantasies catches her looking and demands she touch him. Everywhere.
Enjoying the Show
? 2008 Marie Harte
Hailey Jennison is smart, funny and, unfortunately, stacked like a blonde brick house. She’s well aware the impact her looks have on the male gender, and she hates it. Socially awkward, she keeps to a safe, boring routine, meeting friends once a week for dinner, some laughs, and entertainment.
Entertainment comes in the form of a little harmless voyeurism, watching the living, breathing sex god across the quad parade around his apartment half-naked. Hailey watches and yearns, indulging in this weekly fantasy that almost—but not quite—satisfies her every desire.
When Gage catches Hailey in the act of ogling him, he gives her a choice—go out with him, or he’ll call the cops. But he has no intention of calling the law down on every man’s wet dream. For he’s been watching her, as well. And he has plans to fulfill her naughty fantasies.
Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, and a man named “Mr. Tool”.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Enjoying the Show:
“Cold?” he asked quietly, his eyes burning.
“A little,” she lied, embarrassed to be so reactive to his presence. Good lord, but he made her as jumpy as a cat.
“Then I guess hot fudge sundaes are out of the question.” He looked disappointed, like a small boy told he couldn’t have a favorite treat, and she smiled.
“Well, I guess I could make an exception for chocolate and ice cream. I’m not a monster, you know.”
“I know,” he murmured, staring at her. He shook his head and turned into the kitchen. “Sit at the counter and prepare to be amazed.”
Unable to eat more than half her bowl, Hailey sighed and leaned back, staring woefully at her uneaten chocolate sundae.