“Always,” she sighed into his mouth as she lifted a leg over his hip, giving him easier access.“You’ve corrupted me,” she smiled against his mouth.
“Love you,” he got out before he pushed into her.As her velvet heat welcomed him home, he buried his face in her curls, inhaling her scent, her softness, reveling in her love.
*
When they finallyjoined June in the diner, Ellie’s heart was still beating so frantically she was sure everyone around them had to hear it.She was probably also grinning like an idiot, but she couldn’t stop smiling.Everyone looking at her surely knew what she’d been up to.
They ordered a light lunch and as June and Becket talked all things contract, Ellie only caught a word here and there, she was still floating on a pink cloud.Becket had one of her hands in his and he didn’t drop it, not even while he was signing the contract.
As they finished lunch, June smiled at Ellie.“It was lovely to meet you, Ellie.I hope you can get someone to take care of your shop while Becket has his book tour.Something tells me he’d rather you come with him.”
“Book tour?”Becket asked, clearly also surprised.
“Oh, yes.As soon as we go to the printers, we’ll let you have the tour dates.It’s a way to meet your readers and, of course, we also hope to sell lots and lots of books!”Checking her watch, she got up.“I’m paying for lunch, thanks for your company and thanks for my contract.I’ve never had so much trouble chasing down an author before, but I’m so glad you finally called us.”
Heads turned as she left the diner.“Cooper was so right, she is stunning.”Ellie turned toward Becket to find his eyes on her.“What?”
“You’re the only woman I notice,” he said.“You will come with me when I have to tour, won’t you?”
Ellie nodded.“We’ll see.I have been thinking about getting someone to help in the shop, but I’ll have to make sure it’s the right person.”And maybe by that time, he’d have moved on.
“I’m not going anywhere without you.Let’s go home.”As they left the diner and walked toward his truck, he put an arm around her.“I want to pick up some steaks for tonight.I know the dogs will be very happy with that on the menu.”
“That sounds perfect.Will you please drop me off at my house before you do that?I need to pick up a few things.Oh, and we need to get Marmalade and Duke from Cooper.”Worried, she looked at him.“How do you feel about an extra dog and a cat?And what will Harper say?”
Becket laughed.“So you’ve noticed who is the queen bee in the house?”
“Harper is so clearly in charge.”Ellie smiled.
“Let’s see what they do, but the dogs are so smitten with you, I don’t think adding Marmalade and Duke will be a problem.”
*
Ellie had justtaken a bag from the cupboard in her bedroom to put a few things in when her doorbell rang.It couldn’t be Becket, he’d just left.Maybe it was Arlene or Rose, or even Vivian.
She jogged down the steps toward the front door.Her mind still on what she needed to pack, she opened the door with a ready smile.She froze, stunned to see Marcus Tate standing on her porch.
“There you are,” smirked Marcus.“Surely you didn’t think I’d just let you go, did you?Not with all that lovely money you’ve inherited from your grandmother.You thought I wouldn’t know about it, but then a letter arrived from your attorney.You weren’t there to open it, so I did.”Grabbing her arm, he shoved her into the house and closed the door behind him.
“Show me our house, Ellie.”
The old fear was back, threatening to paralyze her, but it was quickly replaced by anger.She yanked her arm out of his grasp.With her eyes on him, she edged toward the front door where Vivian had left the cat tree scratching post.“It’smyhouse and we are not engaged; I’ve returned your ring.”
“Of course we’re engaged, Ellie,” he said as he looked around him.“You’re going to be my wife.Who else would want a fatty like you?Mmm, the house ain’t bad, not bad at all.”He grinned as he peered into the living room.
“Please leave.I don’t want you here,” she seethed.
As he turned around to face her, the expression on his face had changed.He was angry.Well, that’s too damn bad, so was she.Facing him, she opened the front door behind her.“Get out.”
He lunged forward, but she turned, toppled the activity center behind her and ran out the front door.“Help!Help!”she shouted, ignoring the noise of Marcus falling and swearing behind her.
She raced down the stairs of the porch, her only goal to get as far away from Marcus as she could.
As she neared the street, she saw Rose and Arlene on their way to her house.“Help!”she yelled again.
Arlene had her phone out and Rose ran toward Ellie.The next moment, Marcus grabbed Ellie’s arm from behind.
With something that could only be described as a war cry, Rose rushed forward at full speed and threw her whole body at Marcus.Ellie fell to her knees just as she heard a truck pull up.
