"I will spend whatever time you give me making it worth what it cost you." His voice dropped to nothing. "Don't go, my sweet babygirl.Please.”
For the first time in his life, Pierce Worthington stood utterly still and let someone else hold the power. What folly to think I would ever use that power against him, against the man I was so desperately in love with.
Sunshine spread golden warmth between us.
I smiled. “In case you’re wondering…the moment I decided to stay…was when you saidplease.”
He returned my smile as he lowered his head. Before his lips claimed mine, he said, “I’ll have to keep that in mind.”
CHAPTER 64
MADISON
Six months later
“Call a plumber!”
“Absolutely not. I can do this,” came the muffled answer from below the counter.
The bookshop bell chimed as the door swung open.
Rylee entered with several pastry boxes stacked high in her hands. “Hot pastries coming through!”
I took two off the top and set them aside. She looked at the espresso machine which was cocked at an odd angle, surrounded by several spare parts. “Espresso machine set up yet?”
There was a curse from under the counter.
“Not quite,” I answered.
She opened one of the boxes and the warm, buttery scent of croissants rose with the swirls of steam. “Why don’t you just call a plumber?”
I leaned over and spied Pierce in a pair of jeans and a gray T-shirt. Within reach was a shiny new toolbox and an open copy ofPlumbing for Dummies. “Did you want to answer that, darling?”
Pierce sat up and reached for the espresso machine manual. “I don’t need to pay someone. I’m the CEO of a multibillion-dollar empire. I’m perfectly capable of figuring out how to install a water supply line.”
Rylee and I exchanged a look.
Just then the door swung open a second time.
Greyson and Hailey walked in—mid-argument.
“You didn’t have to hit the man!”
Greyson grinned. “Agree to disagree, little bird. He touched what’s mine.”
She propped her hand on her hip. “He was kissing the back of my hand as he paid me a compliment.”
“And now he’ll know better.”
She threw her arms into the air. “You’re impossible.”
“That’s why you love me.”
She cocked her head to the side. “We’ve been over this. I love you for your money.”
He shrugged. “All the same to me.”
He wrapped his hand around her neck and pulled her in close for a kiss.
