Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
She sniffed, wiping at her damp eyes, and laughed at herself. “I’m a mess. But the point is, I should have believed in you way before I finally did.”
“Are you finished?” he asked. “Because I have something to say.”
She smiled, lighting him up inside. “Yeah, I’ll be quiet now.”
He grasped her hand in his. “You didn’t believe in me because I didn’t give you a reason before. But I swear to you, I’ll never give you cause to doubt me again.”
* * *
Nicole had learned a hard lesson, letting her parents and insecurities dictate her emotions and what she knew, deep down, to be true. “I’ve been miserable without you,” she admitted to Sam. “Even my grand opening lacked the luster it should have had.”
“I missed you too. But I’m so damned proud of what you accomplished.” He grinned, and all the remaining tension fled her body.
“I’m pretty proud too. I guess I had a minor glitch in my programming,” she said, embarrassed at how badly her parents had gotten to her. “I’m used to not getting much from them, but having the man I love witness it?” She shuddered.
“It’s over. And if they want to see you after this, they’re on their best behavior or they can stay home.”
She brushed her fingers over his cheek. “Because I have my very own cop . . . I mean detective to protect me.”
“You’re damned right.” Taking her off guard, he swept her up and into his arms, a place she hadn’t been in too long.
She squealed. “What are you doing?” She glanced around, but they were still alone, nobody watching.
“Taking you home with me where you belong. We’ll take this year and enjoy, but afterward? We’ll reevaluate that lease on the house because I’m not keeping separate places longer than I have to.”
She laughed. “I like that you’re doing long-term planning.”
“Baby, with you, I’m planning on forever.”
Her heartbeat thudded hard in her chest, his words giving her the comfort and security she’d always craved along with the bonus of love and passion thrown into the mix.
She just had one lingering question. “Sam? Are you sure your family will accept all of me? I mean, Victoria’s locked up for the foreseeable future, but someday . . .”
His eyes took on a determined glint. “She’s your twin. If she gets well and healthy and is released, she’s family. Somehow, we’ll make it work.”
She closed her eyes, wondering what she’d done to deserve this special man. She sighed with happiness and nuzzled her cheek against his. “I missed this,” she whispered. “I missed you.”
“I love you, Nicole.” He shifted her, reaching into his pocket so he could grab his keys and unlock his truck. “And now I’m taking you home to show you how much. We’ll get your car later.”
She laughed as he walked around to the passenger side so she could get in. “I like how you think, Detective. You’re perfect for me.”
“We’re perfect,” he said with a grin. “Perfect together.” He grinned and slid his lips over hers in a kiss that teased her with things to come.
A long, happy future of many, many wonderful things.