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She blushed and looked down at the floor. “I miss you, too.”
Merrick stood and moved around the desk. When he was within touching distance, he murmured, “I promised not to push and I intended to keep my word. I just want you to know that things are in motion. I’ve already talked to Jackson.”
Chloe looked up, her hungry gaze eating him alive. “I heard you two talking when I came in.”
Unable to resist, he reached out and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “My bed is cold without you. I haven’t slept more than an hour a night.”
“Me, either,” she said, her soft voice caressing his senses. “And I think I’m keeping Dad up with my restlessness.”
Merrick smoothed his thumb down her cheek to her lips. God, he wanted to taste her. “There’s a solution, you know,” he whispered, emotion clogging his throat.
“Merrick—”
He stopped her with a kiss, unable to bear another denial. He kept it brief, all too aware they were at the office. “I won’t give up on you, baby,” he vowed against her lips.
“I wouldn’t want you to,” she murmured. She cupped his cheek in her palm and smiled. “Merrick Vaughn is no quitter.”
He winked and dropped his hands. “Damn straight.” When she moved away, putting distance between them, Merrick blurted, “Come over tonight. For dinner, nothing more.”
She squinted at him suspiciously. “You’ll try to seduce me.”
He shook his head and tucked his hands into his front pockets. “Just dinner, baby. I’ll order Chinese or something.”
She was quiet for a moment and Merrick was afraid she would deny him. Finally, she smiled. “What time?”
“Seven. Does that work?”
She nodded. “Want me to bring anything?”
“Just an appetite. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Okay. I’ll see you tonight.”
Merrick watched her leave. His heartbeat had sped up, and his mind was already envisioning the night ahead. It was too early to bust out the champagne, but at least he wouldn’t be eating alone again. He’d have Chloe all to himself for a few hours. It was something.
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Chloe shifted on the soft white rug in front of the fireplace and adjusted the spaghetti straps of the lacy red teddy she’d bought earlier in the day. She imagined Merrick walking into their home and finding her displayed like a present wrapped in satin. Her temperature spiked and her pussy grew damp. Damn, she hadn’t been this excited since their honeymoon night.
The minute she’d overheard Merrick handing over his social duties to Jackson, she’d known she wouldn’t be spending another night at her dad’s house. Merrick’s dinner offer had provided the perfect opportunity to surprise him. But a simple dinner wouldn’t do. She didn’t want to come home and quietly fall back into their life together, she wanted a fresh start. An exciting start.
He’d promised to make some changes, and she’d seen first hand that he was a man of his word. He hadn’t given up on their marriage and it was time she proved she wasn’t about to either. When she heard the whir of the automatic garage door, her stomach did a little flip-flop. She heard the door open then close. Suddenly Merrick was there, staring at her, the bag of food and bottle of wine clearly forgotten.
“Jesus,” he groaned as he looked her over.
Chloe smiled, recognizing the arousal heating his blue eyes. She held her hands out to her sides and asked, “Do you like it?”
He placed the food and wine on the counter, then strode across the room. He fell to his knees in front of her and touched one lace-covered breast. “You look amazing. Damn, baby.”
Her body came alive at his words, and his light caress sent fire licking through her veins. “I wanted to surprise you.”
He pulled back and Chloe missed his touch immediately. “What does this mean?”
“It means I want to come home,” she declared. “I want to start over. It means I love you, through the good times and the bad.”
Merrick grabbed her around the waist and pulled her onto his lap. He buried his head in her hair. “Fuck, I’ve missed you. Don’t ever leave me again. Never again, baby.”
Chloe wrapped her arms around his head and held him tight. She could feel his body trembling. Tears sprang to her eyes. “No, never again. I promise.”
