Eileen Wilks - Night Season

Well, okay , she admitted privately as Rule walked her to the door. She needed that, too.

As she told him goodbye, Cynna found something new to marvel over. For years, Rule Turner had been the standard against which all other men were measured. He'd played a part in saving her, whether he knew that or not. Until him, she'd had no idea how a good man treated a woman.

She'd been a bit in love with him long after he left. It had never really died, not for her.

"Have you told Lily?" Rule asked as they reached the door.

"Not yet. I thought you needed to hear first because it affects the clan, and I needed your answer." Oh, this was going to make trouble for him. "Rule." Impulsively she reached for his hand. "I am sorry about… well, the problems. I know this causes problems."

He nodded, but found a wry smile. "I'll cope. I'll even come to the wedding."

And that was a major concession. She beamed at him. "We'll probably hold it outdoors someplace. Not many inside spots big enough for a dragon."

Cynna all but danced down the sidewalk to where she'd parked her car.

Now when she looked at Rule, she might remember what he had been to her, but she didn't want him. Oh, she did in one sense—the my-body-likes-sex way any healthy woman feels around an attractive man. A little more alive, a little more female. But she didn't want him.

She wanted to hurry back to the brash and bold, arrogant and tender, often annoying man who loved her. And haul him off to bed, where she could propose to him properly.

[end]