Taking Ellie’s hand in his, he introduced her to June.
June was all smiles.“Now I understand the new illustrations on ET Becket’s Instagram page.It’s lovely to meet you.”
Ellie smiled but she still looked apprehensive.
“Becket has to sign his contract,” June said.“Of course, I didn’t have to sit around and wait for him to do that, but I wanted to see more of your quaint town.Now I’m hungry.I noticed a diner further down the street.Will you two please join me for lunch?And then I can get to know you while Becket here signs the contract.”
“You two go ahead, don’t worry about me,” Ellie began, but June had already turned toward the door.“Great.I’ve been strolling through your lovely town this morning.I had my nails done and bought the most fabulous chocolates from a redhead at Copper Mountain Chocolates.I would move here just for those.”
“Um… if you’re sure.Let me get my bag,” Ellie said as she gave him a questioning look.
Fed up, Becket turned to the publisher.“June, would you please grab us a table at the diner?Ellie and I will join you shortly.”
“Of course,” she smiled.“Take your time.My plane isn’t leaving until tonight.”
Becket locked the door behind her and, taking Ellie by the arm, marched her toward the back of the shop, behind the cupboards.
“Becket, what…?”
He rounded on her.“Last night… We should’ve talked to you, but all I wanted was to be with you.We were going to talk this morning…” He brushed a curl behind her ear, “but then you distracted me and we ended up being late.”
“Becket…”
“I haven’t finished.I had hoped after last night you would know how I feel about you.I have tried to show you in every other way.And by the way, you haven’t told me either.The first time I’ve heard you love me was when I overheard you telling Aurelia Hill…”
“Of course I love you.Always have.Even though I’ve made peace with staying single forever, my heart recognized you the day you caught me in your arms.”
He lost his breath.Staring down into her clear blue eyes, his heart tripped.“Can you repeat that, please?”he got out.
“I love you.And I know you don’t feel the same way, but I can’t keep this bottled up any longer.You were very clear about not…”
But that was as far as she got.He had her pinned against the wall before she could catch her breath.“You love me?”he got out as he slipped a hand up her leg, pushing her skirt aside.
She nodded.
His throat was strangely dry and he had to swallow a few times before he got a word out.“That’s a good thing,” he murmured as he trailed kisses down her face.Her soft sigh went straight to his loins and he stroked her, moving his hand higher and higher up her leg in small circles.
“Becket…”
“Because you see…” Slipping his other hand beneath the tantalizing loose-fitting top, he cupped a breast, “It turns out I love you, too.”
She stilled, those blue eyes locking with his.“You love me?”Her voice was hoarse.
His fingers slipped underneath the satin and lace, finally reaching her core.“I love you, Ellie Campbell,” he breathed into her ear, “more than I’d ever thought possible.How could I not?You get me, you see beneath the exterior, you see me.”
He caught her lips with his, dropped his hand from her breast, unbuckled his belt and got rid of his jeans.
Groaning, he suddenly stopped.“I don’t have anything to protect you…”
“Yes, you have,” she panted.“My bag.Behind you.”
Grabbing her bag, he opened it.“Where?”
With unsteady fingers, she took the bag from him and took out the condom that had fallen out in the shop on the very first day he’d stepped in here.“Skin-on-skin feeling for enhanced sensation and pleasure,” she gasped.“I found this one underneath one of the cupboards.”
Barking out a laugh, he opened it with his teeth.With eager hands she helped him.
“Ready for me?”
