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BOOK 2

Author: Greatwrites
last update Last Updated: 2023-03-19 01:29:18

“I thought we could start at the beginning. Get to know each other again. We’d go real slow, have a good time. Enjoy ourselves.”

“How?” she asked suspiciously.

He laughed. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten how to have fun. Never mind, I’ll have to show you.”

She was intrigued, then nervous. “About what you said to me. You know. How you . . .”

“You mean how much I love you?”

She nodded, swallowing. “You’ll be wanting me to return that sentiment.”

“Love is a gift, Jussie,” he said with such dignity, she felt like a monster. As if incredibly weary, he turned away, leaned over her desk, and dropped his head between his shoulders.

She swallowed again, because her mouth had suddenly gone dry as cotton. She watched him stretch his shoulders as if they were kinked. “I know it’s a gift.”

“Do you?” he wondered. “Because you make it sound like an obligation.”

“Well, maybe I don’t feel obligated,” she whispered, butterflies attacking her stomach with what she did feel. “Maybe I feel it back. A litt
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    “Jussie, sweetheart, shut up and take me. I’m dying here.”She laughed huskily and moved on him. His hands helped, encouraged, roamed over her, stroking, smoothing over her breasts, her belly, her bottom. Her breathing quickened, panted, and she rested her forehead to his. “Oh, Mitch—” But that was all she managed before she shattered in his arms.In the next breath he shattered in hers, coming to an explosive release that shook his entire body.Hojne, he thought as he clasped her close and shuddered.He’d finally come home.- - -Mitch pulled the car through the lot, still grinning. “I can’t see a damn thing,” he said, swiping at the window as he slowly drove past the building.Justine glanced at his ridiculously pleased smile and had to laugh. “Just don’t get us pulled over. I don’t want to explain that your idiotic grin has nothing to do with alcohol.”Mitch’s amusement faded at the sight of Devlin standing alone in the night, waving his hand to get their attention. He pulled over

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    Justine pulled one hand free, dipped it down the neck of her shirt, and took off the gold chain. Her two rings dangled as she offered it to him. “Aren’t you ever going to ask me to marry you again? I’ve been waiting and waiting you know.”Mitch smiled through misty green eyes, and took the necklace. His large hands never faltered as he removed the rings from the chain. “I never stopped being married to you in my heart.”“Yeah, well,” she said huskily. “You never got to see the best part of my wedding outfit, and believe me it was hot, so I think it’s only fair that we do the whole thing over again—”His mouth cut off her words. They kissed and laughed and cried, and then kissed some more. “I wanted to convince vou,” Mitch said a minute later when he lifted his head and caught his breath. “I was going to use ice cream.”She laughed, then sobered. “There’s us,” she whispered. “I don’t need anything else. Ever.”Touched, he cupped her face, needing to touch her, see her, feel her. “I’ve

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    'Oh, but there is no need. I mean, are we not . . . ?' She stumbled to a halt.'No,' Brand said. 'We're not.''But—we are married.''I'm aware of that. But you needn't worry. I've already taken advantage of you once. I don't plan to do it again.''You would not be taking advantage.' She held herself stiffly^ unwilling to betray her hurt.'Of course I would. You're scarcely more than a child.''That is not what you thought three nights ago.'Brand put a hand over his eyes. 'Isabella, you have to understand. Three nights ago I had only just lost my wife. I didn't know what I was doing, and you offered comfort. For which I was grateful.''Comfort? That was all?''No, of course it wasn't all. You know that as well as I do. But it didn't mean anything, Isabella. Other than that I'd temporarily lost my sanity—along with the wife I had waited four years to marry.'Oh. Yes, of course. Brand was still in love with that fluffy blonde Mary—which was as it should be. All the same, she couldn't hel

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    She waved her chopstick at the pyjama-clad fence posts. 'I'm trying to explain to these men that we don't need any new beds.''Then you're explaining wrong. I told you I was having the double taken out.''Yes, but I didn't think . . . Brand, we are married. This is ridiculous.''No,' said Brand. 'It's sheer self-preservation. And a damn sight more comfortable than the floor.''But—''This isn't open to debate, Isabella. Now, get out of the way and let the men do their job.'The two delivery men exchanged smirks. She felt her cheeks turning pink.'Brand, please . . .' She searched his face for some sign of softening, and didn't find it. He was standing with his legs apart and both hands on his hips, looking like the Rock of Gibraltar on a power trip. This was one battle she wasn't going to win.The delivery men's smirks grew broader. Her face grew pinker. Biting her lip, Isabella turned her back on Brand and his accomplices and stalked back into the bathroom.'Damn,' she muttered, stabb

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