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“I love it, Dex. Once I start working, I lose track of time. And I’ve been haunting playgrounds. I swear, the police are going to arrest me for being a suspicious character, but I love photographing kids. They’re so—” She broke off.
“It’s all right, Torie. I’m not going to make fun of you.”
She heard the understanding in his voice, and she hated it. “I don’t even know why we’re going through with this charade. You admitted that having children was important to you, and you know I’m barren. Why don’t you just leave me alone?”
“The doctors haven’t conceded that you’re barren, so why should I? But if it does prove to be true, we could adopt.”
She felt this peculiar thump in her chest, as if her heart had skipped a beat. “You’d do that?”
“Of course. I told you I wanted children.”
“Tommy wouldn’t even discuss adoption.”
“You displayed sounder judgment buying the emus than when you married Tommy.”
She laughed. “You’re right about that. But Tommy sure was better-looking.”
“Looks aren’t everything.” For the first time he sounded defensive.
“You’re not bad-looking, Dex. As a matter of fact—now, don’t let this go to your head, but of all the geeks I know, you’re the best-looking. Except for Ted, but then Kenny’s about the only one who’s got Ted beat, so you can’t get all bent out about that.”
“Exactly how many geeks do you know?”
“Hey, you’re talking to the microchip princess here. Don’t forget that I was raised around geeks. When I was little, Daddy used to take me to work with him.”
“And you really think I’m the best-looking?”
She struggled to keep from smiling. He really was sweet in a doofus sort of way. “Absolutely.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t care, you understand, but I know that physical appearance is important to you.”
Something about the way he had gone all stiff and starchy, but at the same time seemed worried, went right to her heart. Not to mention a few other places. She couldn’t remember ever being so mixed up, and there was only one thing she could think of to do about it.
“Okay, Dex, I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to take you out for a test spin.”
“What do you mean?”
“We’re going to do the dirty, Dex. You, me, and a mattress. I think it’s time I put you through your paces.”
His starchiness vanished, and amusement took its place. There was something about the way his eyes crinkled at the corners that made those curls of heat that had been unfurling inside her burst into flames. “Oh, you do, do you? Well, what if I told you that I’m holding myself back as your wedding night prize?”
“You’re kidding. You don’t want to sleep with me?”
“I can hardly think about anything else. But, crudely put, why should you buy the steer if I let you have the beef for free?”
“You think you’re some kind of prize?”
“Definitely.” His eyes sparkled. “I don’t want to be arrogant about this, and I certainly wouldn’t have said anything if you hadn’t brought up the topic, but I’m quite an excellent lover.”
“Brother . . .” She rolled her eyes.
He laughed, pulled her into his arms, and kissed the breath right out of her. In the dimmest recesses of her mind, she noted that he wasn’t too indifferent to cop a feel, but his hand felt good curled around her breast, so she wasn’t in any hurry to push it away.
Dex put a lot into his kisses. As his tongue delved into her mouth, she tried to tell herself that there was something pathetic about being so desperate for a man’s affection that she’d descended to kissing Dexter O’Conner, but his kiss didn’t seem pathetic. It was sweet and erotic, and it left her wanting more.
They separated, and as soon as she’d stopped seeing stars, she realized Mr. Sober Sides was just as shaken as she. “All right,” he said unsteadily. “I’ll marry you.”
She curled into that strong, warm chest, felt his breath against her forehead, and for a fraction of a moment, she wanted to say yes. “Oh, Dex . . . you’d regret it within a month.”
