Marie Harte - Closing the Deal

She paused around the next bite of her toast. “What?”

“Pretend you’re me. Now sell Derrick to Sydney. What would you focus on to get your attention?”

“I’m confused.”

“No you’re not. Annoyed, scared, in love, but not confused.”

She snorted. “You’re delirious.”

“No, I’m right. But that’s another discussion. So sell me.”

“You’re just fishing for compliments.”

“Fine. Don’t sell me. Sell the perfect man.”

“He doesn’t exist.”

“Sydney, humor me. Remember, I’m the man with the magic tongue.”

She snorted. “Okay, Romeo. Hmm. The perfect man? Well, he’d have to be funny, smart, not threatened by my success. He’d have to have stamina. I have a healthy sex drive.”

“Yes, you do.” He smiled.

Her cheeks turned a sexy shade of pink. “He’d have to be in shape. And he’d have to appeal to me. We all have our definitions of beauty, but if I’m committing to this man, I have to like the look of him.”

He wiggled his brows and she rolled her eyes. “And,” she continued. “He’d have to be loyal. That said, I’ve never met the perfect man, and I doubt I ever will.”

“Twist the knife, why don’t you.” The woman could be brutal. “Sydney, don’t you get it, baby? You just described me. Loyal, handsome, wealthy.” Hell, he must be desperate to play the money card. He never did that.

“You said you were a small fish, remember?”

“Yeah, but in such a small pond like Augusta, I’m really huge. All over.” He gave her a rakish smile that thankfully sparked one out of her. “I’m financially stable, own my own home, and know the difference between a Pinot Noir and a Cabernet.” Thanks to some quick tutoring from Dylan. “Sure I had a few girlfriends, but I never cheated on any of them. Loyalty’s big with me. And I know what love is, because I grew up with two people so in love it made every relationship pale next to that. Until I met you.”

Her eyes were wide, and he thought he might have finally gotten to her. “Oh wow. That was actually beautiful. Are you Derrick, or am I talking to Dylan?”

“Smart ass.”

She smirked.

He paused, then said, “So you know, I don’t expect you to say it back right away. I figure you’ll say it when you’re ready.”

“Say what?”

“That you love me. I mean, we both know you do, but it’s natural to be scared of such an intense emotion.”

The woman looked hunted. Perfect. If she hadn’t cared, she’d have dismissed him with one of those Oh?’s that annoyed him.

“You— You’re— I don’t… You’re crazy.”

“And that’s why you love me.”

She glared.

He grinned. “Now eat your breakfast. We’ve got a busy day ahead of us.”

“I have things to do.”

“I know. Hailey told me. We have to get ready for your mom’s visit.”

She blinked. “Huh?”

“Your mom. Hailey told me she’s coming to visit. What do we need to do?”

“You want to meet my mom?”

He shrugged. “If she’s important to you I do.”

Sydney’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve barely talked to your mom.” A definite challenge.

“Oh, didn’t I mention that?”

“What?”

“We’re having dinner at Mom’s tonight. Gage and Hailey will be there, Dylan too. We’re supposed to be bringing the wine, since you’re the expert.”

The annoyance on her face changed to alarm. “I don’t want to meet with your mom.”

“You don’t think you’ll like her?”

“No, no. Hailey says she’s terrific. But, ah, I have a lot to do to get ready for my mother’s visit next week.”

“Right. So what’s first on the agenda?” He watched her flit about the room, the robe she wore gaping with each step she made. The next time she passed close to him, he yanked her down onto his lap.

“Derrick. Cut it out.” The flush on her cheeks entranced him.

“You still haven’t kissed me good morning.” He kissed her before she could argue, and the gentle exploration turned carnal in a heartbeat. Already hard from watching her storm around the room, he didn’t have to do much to get ready for her. He parted his robe and settled her astride him. To his delight, her pussy was hot and moist. It took little work to slide inside her.

He nudged her robe aside and sucked her breasts, one by one, until the woman was panting and moaning on top of him. “This is how you say good morning to the man you love.”

“But I don’t…”

To his immense satisfaction, she didn’t complete the sentence. Instead, she kissed him, so passionately, so deeply, he lost himself in her embrace. She tightened her legs around him, riding him so that each push of his cock inside her bonded them tighter and tighter together. His groin rubbed her clit as she rocked over him, and she came right as he spilled inside her. Shuddering with his release, he hugged her tight and sighed.

“See, Sydney? That’s how you take care of your man every morning.”

She groaned. “You’re going to be impossible, aren’t you?”

“Every damn day for the rest of your life. Yeah, I promise. Completely impossible.” He slapped her ass, still inside her and loving every second of it. “So, baby, what’s first on the agenda? We going to your place or mine? Don’t forget, you have to pick a good wine for tonight.”

“ Don’t forget ,” she mimicked under her breath, but he heard her anyway. “How could I?”

Simply put, he wouldn’t let her forget. The woman belonged to him, plain as the cute little nose on her face. Now he just had to get her to admit it.

Sydney couldn’t stop fussing, and Derrick, damn him, refused to leave her alone. The blasted man kept touching her, complimenting her, kissing her. Worst of all, he continued to mention the L word left and right.

Not only the sex had astounded her. He’d been attentive and helpful all afternoon while they ran around town doing her errands and straightening up her place. Who knew Derrick Warren could clean as well as cook? She made a mental note to thank Barbara Warren on behalf of women everywhere.

Not because she cared, personally. But because someday Derrick would make some woman very happy. A perfect husband.

And the thought of him with anyone else made her completely miserable.

“See, you’re thinking about me again,” he said as they pulled up outside his mother’s house. “I can tell when you get that pained expression on your face how much you love me.”

She groaned and settled her forehead against the window.

He laughed and put the SUV in park. “Face it, Sydney. When a Warren finds the woman of his dreams, she’s a goner.”

She turned to face him. “Your dreams, or your nightmares?”

“With you, probably both.” He dodged the punch aimed for his shoulder and snuck a kiss. “Quit stalling. My mother loves you already. You’re a smart, successful woman who’s snared her son. So if anyone should be nervous about tonight, it’s me.”

They left the vehicle and walked up the drive. “Why you?” she asked.

“Because not only will Dr. Barbara Warren be here to annoy you, but Dr. Dylan Warren will be as well.” He pulled her back and glared down into her face, his expression no longer amused. “ I’m your Warren twin. Remember that.”

She liked his jealousy. It showed he cared. She couldn’t deny he was hers, nor could she deny, in her heart of hearts, the arrogant SOB was right. She did love him. And it scared her to death.

“Sydney? I’m waiting.”

“For what?”

“For some reassurance. Don’t make me grope you in front of my family to prove a point.”