On Common Ground (Harlequin Super Romance) (24 page)

“And I’m Justinian Bigelow, an unemployed schoolteacher.”

“Justinian?” Lilah interrupted. “I never knew your real name was Justinian.”

“There’re a lot of things you never knew about me.” He held out his hand, looked at it, then withdrew it, swearing softly under his breath.

Lilah watched his actions then looked at his face, confused. “You don’t want to shake hands?”

“We’re done with the introductions,” he said and pulled her close and kissed her. Really kissed her. And it wasn’t like friends.

And when they finally broke apart he searched her face. “I know it’s early goings, but would you be offended if I said I loved you?”

“Only if I didn’t love you back.”

And he was about to kiss her for a second time when she held up her hand.

“Recite the lines,” she said with a grin twitching her lips.

“What lines?” He angled his head and tried again.

But again she pressed her fingertips to his lips. “Recite the lines from Shakespeare’s sonnet that you used to use on all the women at Grantham.”

“I thought we’d moved beyond college?”

“We have. But that still doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear it.... C’mon. ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?’”

He took her in his arms. His long legs straddled hers. He whispered the love poem by heart.

The warm vibrations from his mouth close to her ear tickled her skin.

And then he finished with the familiar words, “‘and this gives life to thee.’”

Lilah sighed.

“This is the moment, of course, when I kiss the girl.”

“By all means,” she agreed.

And he did—with a vibrant love that touched her heart.

When he ended the kiss, she pulled back and exclaimed, “My hero.”

“No, you’re
my
hero.
And
my love.”

This time, she was the one kissing Justin Bigelow.

* * * * *

ISBN: 9781459221123

Copyright © 2012 by Louise Handelman

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