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“I understand. You didn’t want to embarrass her. There were people standing all around, and—”
“Exactly. Her friends, my friends, a bunch of strangers, and that damned photographer. But as soon as I got my lips unlocked, I pulled her aside, and we had a private chat about our lack of a relationship. I didn’t think any more about it until I saw the paper yesterday. I tried to call you, but…”
She regarded him searchingly, and then her expression went stony. “You didn’t finally fly down here because you thought I’d run away over something like that, did you?”
“I was kissing another woman!”
“You thought I’d run! You did! Over that stupid picture. After all I’ve gone through to prove myself!” Her eyes flashed grape-flavored thunderbolts. “You’re an idiot!” She stormed out of the bedroom.
He couldn’t believe this. If he’d seen a photo of Blue kissing another man, he’d have torn the world apart. He hurried into the hall after her, the clammy towel getting colder by the minute. “Are you telling me you weren’t worried—not for a minute—that I might be screwing around on you?”
“No!” She started down the steps, and then spun around. “Do you really expect me to fall apart every time another woman throws herself at you? Because, if that’s so, I’ll be a nervous wreck before the honeymoon’s over. Although, if they do it in front of me…”
He went still. “Did you just
propose to me?”
She bristled. “Do you have a problem with that?”
The scoreboard lit up, and he gave the world a high five. “God, I love you.”
“I’m not impressed.” She stomped the rest of the way down the steps. “Why is it that I have faith in you, but—after everything I’ve gone through—changing my whole life for you!—you still don’t have any faith in me?”
Prudence suggested this wasn’t the best time to bring up her past history. Besides, she had a point. A really good point, and he’d have to tell her what he’d learned about himself, although not right now. He went after her. “Because…I’m an insecure jerk too good-looking for my own good?”
“Bingo.” She stopped next to the coatrack. “I’ve given you way too much power in this relationship. Obviously, it’s time for me to take over.”
“Could you start off by getting naked?” Her eyebrows shot together. She wasn’t letting him off that easily, and he quickly retrenched. “Where did those clothes come from?”
“April orders everything for me. She knows I can’t be bothered.” Her curls bobbed. “And I’m too mad—too furious!—to get naked.”
“I understand. You have to put up with a lot from me.” A sense of absolute peace stole through him, disturbed only by the powerful erection that even his chilly towel hadn’t been able to discourage. “Tell me about Atlanta, sweetheart.”
A wise move on his part because she temporarily forgot he was an insecure, love-struck idiot. “Oh, Dean, it was wonderful. He’s the most prestigious dealer in the South. Nita wouldn’t shut up about the paintings, and she made me so mad that I finally sent him photographs. He called me the next day and demanded to see everything.”
“And you couldn’t pick up a phone and clue me in about something that important?”
“You have enough to think about right now. Honestly, Dean, if your offensive line doesn’t give you better protection, I—”
“Blue…” He reached the end of his patience.
“Anyway, he loved everything!” she said. “He’s giving me my own show. And you wouldn’t believe the prices he’s going to charge.”
Enough was enough. “We’ll work the wedding around it.” He closed the distance between them in two strides, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her exactly as he’d been dreaming about doing for months. She kissed him back, too. Damn right she did. “There is definitely going to be a wedding, Blue. The minute the season is over.”
“Okay.”
“That’s it?”
She smiled and cupped his jaw. “You’re a steadfast man, Dean Robillard. The more I painted, the more that became clear to me. And you know what became just as clear?” She ran her finger over his bottom lip. “I’m a steadfast woman. Loyal to a fault, and as tough as they come.” He pulled her against him. She rested her cheek against his chest. “You told me I needed to grow roots, and you were right. It was so easy to be happy when we were together. I needed to make it difficult. Knowing I have a permanent family helped a lot. It’s…made me stop being so afraid.”
“I’m glad. April is—”
“Oh, not April.” She tilted her face up to him. “April is one of my dearest friends, but, let’s face it, you’ll always come first with her.” Blue looked faintly apologetic. “The truth is, Nita loves me for better or for worse. And, trust me, she’s not going anywhere until somebody drives a stake through her heart.” Her smile grew a question mark. “Would it be okay if we asked April to plan the wedding? I’ll just muck it up, and frankly, I’d rather paint.”
“You don’t want to plan your own wedding?”
“Not too much. Weddings don’t interest me.” She gazed up at him with the most tender, dreamy eyes he’d ever imagined. “On the other hand, being married to the man I love…That interests me very much.”
