‘Thanks a bunch.’ He sat up and she couldn’t avoid staring at every inch of his tanned, broad chest only inches away from her fascinated gaze. Maggie’s face heated remembering the breathtaking way he’d loved her all last night and again when they’d turned to each other as dawn was breaking. ‘In case you’re interested I don’t make a habit of going to weddings and hooking up with another reject simply to pass the time,’ Chad snapped and jumped out of the bed, grabbing his clothes off the floor.
‘I didn’t mean it that way.’
‘Then whatdidyou mean?’
This must be how a witness felt being cross-examined in court. ‘I’m sorry. Sit down, please.’ She patted the bed. ‘You’re intimidating me.’ Chad’s stony face softened and he dropped back down on the crumpled bedcovers.
‘That wasn’t my intention, but . . .’
She reached over and touched his hand. ‘I’ve hurt your feelings and I couldn’t be sorrier.’ A flood of embarrassed heat lit up her face and neck. ‘I’ve never woken up with a man beforeand I don’t know how I’m supposed to behave.’ Tears pricked at her eyes and he leaned in to kiss her mouth, rubbing his thumb down over her cheek.
‘You’re notsupposedto do anything. Just be the same sweet, honest woman you were before we made love. That’s all I need,’ Chad murmured, ‘can you do that?’ His plea struck a direct path to her heart and Maggie nodded. ‘You wanna start the morning again?’
She smiled shyly and he eased her back on the bed, surrounding her with his warm musky scent. Wrapping her in his strong arms he started to love her all over again and every one of Maggie’s thoughts about what was proper or sensible fled.
* * *
His fingers played with Maggie’s soft hair spread over the pillow but Chad’s mind raced as he watched her sleep. How would she react if he suggested staying in Cornwall longer? He couldn’t say goodbye, get on a plane back to Nashville and chalk this up as a quick fling. Maggie had turned his life around in a few short days and he needed to try make sense of it somehow. The fact that he had an active social life back home and had so far avoided commitment had led to his reputation as a carefree bachelor with no desire to change. His grandmother gave him a lecture the day before he came.
Use this vacation as a chance to take some time out, Chandler. Playing the field is all very well for a young man, but you’re old enough to start thinking more about the future. Your father won’t come out and say so but I know he’d like to take things easier. He’s been hoping you’d decide to give up the law and take over running the firm. Josh needs our help as well but he’s too stubborn to ask for it. You could do a lot for him if you chose to.
He’d almost protested that he had no interest in running the family’s guitar business, but it would’ve been a lie and his grandmother would soon have caught him out. The idea of working on the designs and marketing for the top-end guitars his family had made for three generations intrigued him but until now he’d avoided it out of sheer wilfulness on his part. Maybe he’d finally grown up. As for Josh, he didn’t need his grandmother to prod him on that score. She’d be pleased to find out he’d emailed his brother last night and promised to come to Colorado soon for a visit. He hadn’t stopped to ask if he’d be welcome and guessed he’d find out when he got there.
‘You look thoughtful,’ Maggie murmured, rolling over to snuggle into him. She gazed up at him with her soft, deep blue eyes full of warmth and caring. ‘Spit it out.’
He’d forced her to be honest and it was his turn to do the same. ‘I might scare you off.’ Maggie’s face creased into a wide smile.
‘I don’t scare easily.’
You might if I tell you I’m pretty sure I’ve found the woman I want to marry and it’s you. ‘Good.’ Chad trailed gentle kisses down her neck, nipping at her smooth skin and doing his best to distract her from serious conversation.
Maggie firmly pushed him away. ‘Honesty. Remember?’
‘Yeah, I know,’ he sighed, psyching himself up to receive his marching orders. He’d start by admitting he was considering staying a few extra days and see how that went before going any further. Chad ploughed on and watched her eyes widen in surprise.Good one. She’ll never believe the rest.
‘You don’t have to stay out of some misguided sense of guilt because we’ve slept together.’ She stumbled over her words. ‘Stop grinning.’ Maggie smacked his arm.
‘You’re so damn beautiful when you blush and then get mad at yourself.’
She opened and closed her mouth several times without uttering a sound.
‘Trust me I’m not suggesting staying out of guilt because I have none.’
‘Oh.’ A tiny smile tugged at Maggie’s mouth.
‘The thing is I’ve found out something in the last forty-eight hours and if it doesn’t scare you, it sure as heck scares me,’ Chad admitted and his cheeks burned. ‘You’ve turned my life upside down and inside out Maggie Taylor.’
‘And?’
He might as well get it over with because she was one determined woman and would nag him until he broke down and told her the truth. ‘Fine, here goes.’ Chad’s heart thumped so hard he was afraid it’d burst through his chest. ‘I’m think I’ve found the woman I want to marry and it’s you.’
‘You’re asking me to marry you?’ she shrieked.
‘No, I didn’t say that,’ Chad blurted, ‘well, not exactly, I mean . . .’ How had he got himself tangled up in knots?You met the woman staring at you as if you’re completely mad. She’s made you that way. He seized her hands. ‘What I mean is I think I’m in love with you, but I know it’s too soon. I’m probably crazy and you’d never even consider it.’ Chad swallowed hard. ‘Youmademe say it, Maggie.’
‘Now it’s my fault you sort of proposed while not really meaning to?’ she challenged and Chad groaned.
‘Oh, heck, this isn’t how I wanted it to come out.’ He shoved his hands through his hair.
