Temperatures Rising (13 page)

She lifted her chin. “And I didn’t just fall in love with you when we made love. I loved you before then. I just didn’t want to admit it. In all honesty, I tried denying it to the hilt. But I can’t any longer. I’ve realized that loving you is right.”

He didn’t say anything for a long moment, and then, “You said you didn’t believe I loved you because men like me didn’t fall in love. What did you mean by that?”

She glanced down at the floor and then back at him. “Within a week of coming to town, I found out about your reputation as a ladies’ man, Terrence. You’re one of the most eligible bachelors in the Keys. Women call the station just to flirt with you. They go to your club just to get a glimpse of you. You’re an ex-pro-football player. Handsome. Intelligent. Wealthy. You’ve dated celebrities. Why would a man give that up—the life of a bachelor—to fall in love with anyone? And why me?”

Slowly getting out of his chair, Terrence crossed the room to stand in front of her. He studied her features. “You might want to be asking this question. Why
not
you?”

He gave her a moment for that question to sink in and then he said, “You’re beautiful. Intelligent. A career woman who knows what she wants and
doesn’t mind working hard to achieve it.” He paused a second. “You’re also a woman who has made me feel things I’ve never felt before, at least not with the same magnitude. When I’m inside of you, I don’t want to come out. You’re the only woman that I’ve envisioned having a baby with. The only woman I allowed access to my heart. So I’m no different from any other man, Sherri. I want love just like the next guy, and I want to think I’m smart enough to recognize it when it comes along and take a chance.”

She tried fighting back the tears, but one fell down her cheek anyway. She quickly swiped it away. “So, do you accept my apology?”

“Only if you promise never to doubt my love for you again.”

She smiled through the tears in her eyes. “I promise.”

“Then I accept your apology.”

He leaned in and brushed her lips with his. “I just thought of something that I need to do.”

Sherri watched as he walked back to the monitor and took a seat. A commercial break was going on, which would be followed by nonstop music for at least an hour. She lifted a brow when she realized he was about to interrupt and do an unscheduled station alert of some sort right after the commercial.

He turned on the mike and slipped into his headset.

“This is Holy Terror in a very special appeal. This is for all the lovers out there weathering the storm in each other’s arms. Tonight is the night not to tell, but to show that special someone how you feel about them. So, brothers, while Hurricane Ana is out there banging on the door, you take care of your business and take your special lady in your arms. Give her love. Show her how much you care. And, ladies, you know what to do. Me, well, let’s just say I’m doing just fine right here.”

Not realizing he hadn’t turned off the mike, he looked over to Sherri and said, “Come here, baby, let’s get it on.”

Sherri smiled and walked over to him. Her smile widened as she clicked off the mike, removed his headset and slid into his lap just as Marvin Gaye’s classic “Let’s Get It On” began bathing the airwaves in a melodic and soulful sound.

“I love you,” she whispered against his lips.

“And I love you,” he whispered against hers.

And then it was on.

He hungrily took her mouth, and her response was immediate. His tongue moved thoroughly and methodically inside of her mouth, showing her the
love, making her feel it. She was his and he was hers and that’s how things would always be.

Moments later when he raised his head and looked into her eyes, he knew he was seeing his future, the woman who would be his wife, the mother of his children, his soul mate, helpmate, his lover for all eternity.

He stood with her in his arms and headed for the special private haven in his office. Hurricane Ana could do as she pleased, but in the meantime, he intended to take care of business with the woman he loved by putting his own advice into practice.

This was going to be one storm that he’d never forget.