Page 76 of Recipe for Temptation (Madewood Brothers 4)

She knew how much he valued his privacy, and now that she knew the truth about his past it all made sense. She wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that.

“I’ve spent a long time living in the background, afraid that someone would find out about my past.” He paused, then opened his mouth again, but no words came out. When she looked into his eyes, they were rimmed red. “Let people talk. I care more about losing a future with you than I do about my past being in the spotlight.”

Shaking her head, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you, Cole. So, so, so much.” She couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. They were now streaming down her face.

He kissed her. Soft and sweet. Full of promise. Full of exactly what she’d wanted. Cole. In her arms. Forever.

“I love you, too.” He pressed his thumb to her lips and caressed them in the most intimate of gestures. “So what do we do now?”

He had turned out to be the man she’d always wanted, with the ability to give her everything she needed.

“Talk dirty to me, Murphy.” She kissed him softly. “And don’t ever stop.”