Untrusting Hearts: A Contemporary New Orleans Romance (26 page)

Jade sat back and took a deep breath. “That’s a lot to take in.”

“Yes it is. But it’s not an issue any longer. I have a new perspective on it. Why shouldn’t you have an inheritance? If that’s what Maylene chooses to do with her money, it’s her decision. You are her rightful heir, her family.”

“But I don’t want it.”

He shook his head. “Then that will be
your
decision. But this, tonight, right now, is about you and me. Not Maylene. Or Ty. Or money. Or anything other than what we feel for each other. And Jade, my feelings for you are so powerful they’re difficult to put into words. We have something special; you can’t deny that. I can’t be the only one who feels it.”

Thoughts whirled in her mind. The calm, serene life she’d always pictured for herself was floating away, out of her grasp. Oh, she knew the fire of his lovemaking and her body ached for it, even now. But she could also imagine the difficulties they’d have, the misunderstandings that would flare into arguments. The constant friction between them. Even the sweetest lovemaking couldn’t make up for that, could it? She reluctantly pushed away from him and stood. “If it’s real, it will stand the test of time. We both need some space to reflect on this.”

“Space apart from you is the last thing I need right now. You’ve been gone for two weeks and it’s felt like two years.” His eyes were earnest as they probed hers. “There’s something rare and amazing between us. We can’t let it slip through our fingers because if we do, we might not ever find it again.”

“Go back to New Orleans, Gage.” She eased toward the front door and took her keys from her purse. “If you still feel this way after you’ve had a chance to think about it, let me know.”

He pushed to his feet, a bemused expression on his face. “How did we get to this point? I came here to propose to you and now I’m being sent away before I’ve even had the chance to fall to one knee and impress you with the ring I selected.” In a few long strides he was in front of her, his big muscular body pressing her against the door. The heat of his magnetism hit her like a heady brew and she could feel her resolve weakening. If he took her in his arms again, she’d fall under his spell and forget logic altogether. But he didn’t pull her into an embrace; he just stood there, close, so close, and looked down at her.

“I’ll respect your wishes, Jade, even if I don’t agree with them.” Abruptly, he backed away and walked to his car.

Fumbling with her keys, she finally got the door open and ducked inside, slamming it behind her. Turning, she pressed a tear-streaked face to the small window and watched him drive away, unprepared for the stab of sorrow at the sight of his taillights disappearing down the block.

Jade threw her purse on the end table, slipped out of her shoes, and pressed her fingers against her eyes. It didn’t take a genius to know she would bitterly regret what she’d just done. She already wished she could have a do-over. After he traveled back home and gave each of her points serious consideration, his affection for her would evaporate like morning mist in the hot sun.

A knock interrupted her musing and her head shot up. When she opened the door, there he stood.

“What are you doing here?”

“I did like you wanted,” he said cheerfully. “I thought hard about it all the way to the corner and realized that’s all the time I need for soul searching. I know exactly what I want, what I need.”

She gazed at him in giddy surprise, ridiculously happy he’d come back. “And?”

He took a step closer. “It’s you and it has been from the moment we met.” His grin fell away and his eyes grew solemn as he reached out to caress her cheek. His voice broke. “I love you, Jade. I can’t imagine life without you. We need to be together.”

His raw emotion pierced her heart, and what little remained of her resistance crumbled and fell away. Tears misted her eyes and in that moment she let go of her doubts, gave in to the yearning, and it was a glorious feeling. “I love you too, Gage. I love you so much it hurts.”

Their mouths met in a kiss of total abandon and the agony turned to bliss.

Note to Readers,

Untrusting Hearts
is Madison’s first novel and Evan’s first co-written work. We appreciate that you spent some of your reading time with us. We hope you enjoyed the tale of passionate, conflicted love between Jade and Gage.

~Madison & Evan

Book cover design by
: Ramona Lockwood

Also by Evan Asher
:

The Profiteer
- A contemporary romance. Luke Hudson is a big man with serious swagger. No wonder Kelly has trouble resisting him, even as she fears his business plans will change her beloved community forever. Before he leaves, he will turn her safe predictable world, and her heart, upside-down.

Sweeter for the Pain
- A contemporary romance. Nicole is helping her cousin repair a forest retreat he has purchased, and prepare it to open for business. From her gossiping coworkers to the unfriendly neighbor, Finn Erickson, nothing is what it seems. Finn’s disfigured face and aloof attitude can’t quell her attraction to him, but sinister rumors abound. Who or what pursues Nichole on the wooded trail? Has she given her heart to a killer?