Page 55 (2/2)

“Eve, I’m fond of her, really I am I just don’t think—”

“You’re so ier down the center of his chest “So influential And sogorgeous”

It was just a little too thick He narrowed his eyes, caught the laughter in hers “You’re putting me on”

Her laughter burst out “You bought it Oh, you should have seen your face” She pressed a hand to her belly, yelping when he yanked her ear “I would have talked you into it”

“I don’t think so” Not at all sure of hiain

“I could have You’d have done it if I’d played it right” All but doubled over with laughter, she threw her ared herself to his back “Oh, I love you”

He went very still as e punch to his heart Shaken, he turned, gripped her arms

“What?” The laughter died out of her face He looked stunned, and his eyes were dark and fierce “What is it?”

“You never say it” Swaed her close and buried his face in her hair “You never say it,” he repeated

She could do nothing but hold on, rocked by the e from him Where had this come from? she wondered Where had he hidden it? “Yes, I do Sure I do”

“Not like that” He hadn’t kno much he’d needed to hear her say it, just like that “Not without pro about it first”

She opened her ain It was true, and it was foolish, cowardly “I’m sorry It’s hard for me I do love you,” she said quietly “Sometimes it scares me because you’re the first And the only”

He held her there until he was sure he could speak, then eased her back, looked into her eyes “You’ve changed my life Become my life” He touched his lips to hers, let the kiss deepen slowly, silkily “I need you”

She linked her arms around his neck, pressed close “Show me Now”

chapter eleven