Tinsel Town (13 page)

He lifted an eyebrow and grinned. “You had the hots for me?”

“I still do. And you look entirely too smug about that.” She reached out and gave him a light pinch, and he grunted in compliance. “You didn’t have to make up that story you know.

You could have just told me.”

“I was afraid you’d turn me down.”

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“As I recall, I tried to.”

He didn’t even have the decency to look ashamed. “I wouldn’t let you. I was prepared for you to try to cut me loose, so I used a time-honored tradition. Seduction.”

“And wine.”

“No, I would never get a woman drunk and try to sleep with her. I just wanted you a little more relaxed, a little more willing to listen.”

“Well, I was.” She sighed and laid her head on his chest. “So, everything you told my family and the people in this town is true?”

“Every word.”

“You’re a doctor, a professor in human relations, and a writer.”

“Actually, I teach Human Sexuality and Modern Man. It’s a very popular course.”

It should have surprised her, but it didn’t. She laughed and swatted his stomach. “No wonder you knew how to push all my buttons.”

“Do you mind?”

She let the question sit for a moment before she answered. “No, not one bit. I just wish you would have told me before.”

“Like I said, I was monumentally stupid.”

“Not too long ago, I told someone that everyone is entitled to one terrible, horrific mistake in their lives. I guess this would be yours.”

It was his turn to sit up and gaze down at her. “You forgive me? Really forgive me?”

“As long as you don’t lie to me anymore. I want the truth. I want every piece and part of you, not just the bits you think I should know about.”

“I did tell you the truth about my family. They’re going to love you, by the way.”

She couldn’t stop herself from stroking his solid chest. “You think so?”

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“I guarantee it.” He leaned down, bringing his lips close to hers. “You make me happy, Kate. You showed me what love is, and I promise you, I’m going to spend the rest of my life making all of this up to you.”

It took a moment for the implications to sink in. When they did, she stared at him and tried to control the elation that was suddenly filling her. “The rest of your life?”

“If you’ll let me.” He kissed her, a tender touch that completely undid her. “Say you’ll let me.”

“I couldn’t imagine loving anyone else the way I love you.”

“Is that a yes?”

She nodded, smiling through tears. “Yes.”

He hugged her to him, rolling over so that she was lying on top of his body. “Let’s have two weddings.”

“Two?” she laughed.

“One in Vegas tonight, and the other here, for your family and for mine.”

“Vegas?”

“I already warned you, if you were mine, I wouldn’t take any chances. I’d get your cute ass on the next flight to Las Vegas and make it legal. What do you say?”

“I say.” She stopped to kiss him, a hard, happy smack that sealed her fate. “I’m a lucky girl to be married in the City of Sin, and then again in Tinsel Town.”

He rolled away so quickly that she bounced on the mattress. The sharp, stabbing pain in her hip was a reminder that their romp hadn’t been at all tender. Of course, neither had their romance, but that was just fine with her. The result, in both cases, was more than she’d ever dreamed of.

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“I’m making the plane reservations right now. No way am I giving you a chance to change your mind.”

“Well, then… Viva Las Vegas!”

Flesa Black

Flesa Black is a married thirty-something mother of two. She lives near Atlanta, Georgia, where she is lucky enough to frequently enjoy Braves baseball games and tours of antebellum plantations and historic homes, including Margaret Mitchell’s house. Flesa has always been a determined writer ever since she learned how to hold a pencil. She particularly enjoys romance genres and the freedom they give her to create interesting characters and intricate worlds. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading romance and science fiction novels, playing numerous board and card games, wandering in the woods and fishing. She is currently hard at work on her next book.

Visit Flesa on the Web at www.flesablack.com.