Twice Tempted by a Rogue (Stud Club #2)

“I love you,” he said bluntly. “I have to say that, before anything else. Because it’s the most important thing. I love you.”


Dear, dear man. He spoke the words as though they were some sort of damning verdict on her life. “I’m very happy to hear it.”

He heaved a sigh of obvious relief. He ambled his way across the room to her, looking around the loft. “You’re hanging curtains?”

She nodded, sliding her scissors onto the windowsill. “The lace you bought in Bath.”

“Pretty.”

He stopped next to the window and surveyed the view over her shoulder. So close to her, but not touching yet. Her breathing came quick, and her heart began to pound. Every inch of her tingled with anticipation.

He said casually, “I think this would be an ideal nook for a dressing table. Little chair, a mirror.” His big hands outlined a square in the empty space. Oh, how she wanted those hands on her. “Your silver hairbrush set can go right here.”

“Right next to your shaving kit.”

His big hand reached for hers. She looked up into warm brown eyes brimming with emotion.

“Merry.”

Her heart swelled as he finally pulled her into his arms. Just where she wanted to be. He inclined his head until his whiskered chin grazed her temple. And they stood there together, just breathing. The moment was too intense for a kiss, too profound for words. The relief, the joy, the sheer rightness of it all.

She pressed her forehead to his frayed lapel and the wall of muscle beneath. “I knew you’d come back,” she whispered. “I just knew it.”

His hands framed her waist, and he pulled her back to look at him. “Thought you didn’t believe in fate or destiny.”

“I still don’t. But I believe in you.”

“Good.” His throat worked as he stared deep into her eyes. “Because fate be damned. God and the Devil and every one of their minions could convene right here and now to drag me off to my doom, and I’d fight my way through each and every one of them to stay with you. Not because it’s my destiny or my punishment or for lack of alternatives, but because I love you too much to be anywhere else. And if you refuse to marry me, I’ll remain here still. Come down to the inn every night for a meal and a pint, just to look at you and be near you. I …” He brushed the hair back from her face, cupping her cheek in his weathered hand. “Merry, I love you.”

“Oh, Rhys. I—” She hesitated, searching his eyes. “Can you bear it if …?”

He nodded. “Tell me.”

“I love you, too. I’ve loved you for so long.”

His eyes closed briefly, then opened again. “Still hurts a bit. But it’s getting better.” His thumb brushed her cheek. “As I recall, you still owe me an answer.”

“Remind me of the question.”

“Will you marry me?”

She pretended to think on it. “Yes.”

They smiled at one another. After all that time and all that discussion … yes, it really was that simple. Because it just felt right.

In a sudden burst of strength, he grasped her by the waist and tossed her into the air as if she weighed nothing. He caught her just under the hips, holding her fast to his chest and making her the taller of the two. Which gave her the immense joy of staring down at his wide, rugged smile. And then the very great pleasure of bending her head by slow, teasing degrees … until she finally kissed it away.

How she loved this man. Theirs would never be a soft, gentle kind of affection. They were both made of granite, chipped off this moor, and their love would be fierce and stubborn and even painful when they clashed. But also solid and enduring. A love to last for all time.

Finally setting her on her feet, he pressed his brow to hers. “Have I thanked you for saving me?”

Eyes still closed, she shook her head no.

“Well, then. I’ll be certain to do that. Every day, for the rest of our lives.” He kissed her brow. “I’m a broken man, Merry. I can’t lie to you. It may take some time before I’m truly whole, and even then, the pieces may never come together quite right. But I’m grateful to you. Grateful for you. And I love you, more than I have words or strength to express. I will never leave your side again.”

She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him close. “Even if you tried, I wouldn’t let you go.”