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“Sounds great,” he said, but he sounded distracted.

“Faye told me that Matthew Creighton had to rearrange his thinking completely before Annie would marry him.”

“How so?”

“Back then, women weren’t supposed to work in construction. Men didn’t think they were capable of understanding design.”

“Supposed to focus on the womanly arts?”

She grinned. “Something like that.”

“He must have had a struggle coming to grips with a woman like Annie. Sounds like a helluva leap to make.”

She considered that. And more. Like the way Jake had packed up and moved to Florida to start again when his father needed him. Leaving a thriving business was a huge decision.

Bigger than big.

But then, she was seeing that in Jake. The man had a huge heart and a rock-solid sense of responsibility. He could never leave his father for as long as Jed needed him. And to expect him to walk away from MacKay Construction was wrong.

But the thought of never seeing him again was tearing her apart.

Just as the spirits of Perdition knew it would.

They’d brought him here for a reason. They’d brought him here for her. Not for the sex they missed or for fun or sport.

For
her.

“Jake, I…” She stopped, gathered her courage. “I know it’s too much to hope that you’d consider moving here, so—”

“I would, if you wanted me to,” he interrupted her, his voice firm, his words quick.

“But your dad, what about him?”

“You’re right; he’s not an invalid. He doesn’t need or want me in his face.”

“Did the date go well?”

Jake shrugged. “I hope so. But even if it was a letdown, he can handle it. Truth is, my dad’s been okay for a while now. I’m the one who hung on too long.”

He looked rueful. “Much as I hate to admit it, Jared was right. Dad didn’t need me there every moment. What he needed was to grieve, then move on. Having me there might even have held things up on that score.”

She hugged him tighter, wanting to comfort. “Don’t be hard on yourself. You had a shock, too, and it’s in your nature to take care of those you love. The way you’re willing to move here for me.” She sighed and nestled in under his chin, felt the steady thud of his heart, luxuriated in the low burr of heat they shared, steady now and ready to go from embers to conflagration in the wink of an eye. “That’s something else I love about you, Jake. You give yourself completely. I’ve never been so cared for.”

“Back up.” He tilted her chin with his fingertip. “Did you just say what I think you said?”

She grinned. “What do you mean?”

“Say it.”

She stretched up and kissed his chin. Then moved higher to buss his lips once. Twice. “I love you, Jake MacKay. And I think it’s in spite of your curse, not because of it. I love you because you’re you.”

“Are you asking me to move here?” he asked.

“No. I’ve been thinking about Florida. About the challenge of learning everything I’d need to learn. I’m up for it if you want me.”

His eyes glowed as understanding dawned. “You’d leave everything you’ve worked for?”

“That’s my offer, Jake. What do you say?”

He laughed and howled, straight up at the sky. “I’m not asking. I’m telling you I want to move here. I love the feel of Seattle, the cool clean air, the misty rain. The dark green of the mountains.”

Her breath caught. Held. Lurched to a start again.

“And I love you, Lexa Creighton,” he whispered. “Marry me.”

“It’s been thirty-six hours, Jake. What took you so long?”

APHRODISIA BOOKS are published by

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Copyright © 2007 by Kensington Publishing Corp.
“Kink” copyright © 2007 by Amie Stuart
“Down and Dirty” copyright © 2007 by Jami Alden
“Rock Solid” copyright © 2007 by Bonnie Edwards

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