Stephanie Julian - No Reservations

“And now?”

He shrugged, his mouth twisting with a grimace. “Now I realize that no matter what happens, if we never see each other again or if we spend the next fifty years together, it will hurt just as much. But I know I don’t want to spend the rest of my life without you.”

The weight on her chest eased just enough that joy began to filter in.

Still, she wasn’t ready to give in just yet. The man had dumped her. And on the phone! That deserved punishment.

And she knew exactly what kind.

“That’s a nice sentiment.” She put her hand on one hip. “But I’m going to need a lot more convincing.”

His eyes narrowed and he finally let his gaze drop.

She’d picked her outfit carefully for this meeting, and when his gaze returned to hers, smoldering with heat, she knew she’d chosen correctly.

The hem of her black skirt hit her at midthigh, conservative at first glance. As was the prim, white, short-sleeved shirt. But the skirt fit like a glove and a slit up the left leg gave tantalizing hints of the electric blue thong she wore beneath. And the wraparound shirt revealed the cleavage formed by her blue lace bra. The bra matched the thong that was getting wetter by the second.

“I figured since we were going to be working together at the spa, business casual would be appropriate for this meeting.”

He nearly choked on a laugh. “If that’s business casual, I’ve been doing it wrong for years.”

His voice held a distinct roughness that made her want to rub up against him. Naked.

“Then why don’t you come over here and I’ll give you some tips.”

She expected him to try to take over now, assert his dominance. Instead he obeyed immediately. He didn’t run, but he didn’t take his time either.

When he stopped in front of her, she had to tilt her head back to look into his eyes. Such beautiful eyes. She reached for him with one hand, traced his jaw and his lips with one fingertip.

“What about New York?” he asked. “The job?”

“I decided that wasn’t the risk I wanted to take. I enjoy working for myself. I want to make the boutique work. I want to grow my wedding dress design business. I want to make burlesque costumes and role-playing gear, and I want you . I’m still angry with you, but I can’t imagine my life without you.”

He bared his teeth in a grin that made her shiver.

“Good.” Now she heard that note of command in her voice and she shivered. “Because I don’t want to live without you.”

Lifting his hand, he began to undo the bow at her waist holding her shirt together. “I love you, Kate.”

The bottom dropped out of her stomach at the matter-of-fact way he said those few words. So very Tyler.

As was the way his fingertips caressed the bared skin of her breasts. Perfectly. And when he bent his head to press his mouth to the curve of one aching mound, she sucked in a sharp breath.

“And I love you.”

She nearly groaned when he took a step back before he reached into his pocket and pulled out his grandmother’s ring. The one she’d found at the flea market. Taking her hand as tears formed in her eyes, he slid it onto the ring finger of her left hand. “And I can’t imagine another woman wearing this. It was meant for you to find. And you were meant for me.”

She lifted her hands to cup his jaw. “And you were meant for me. Now take off my clothes and make love to me until I can’t see straight.”

His smile had sharp edges. And she loved it. “It will be my pleasure, sweetheart.”