The Gambler (38 page)

“You kept that to yourself all these years.” His voice broke. “Oh, Libby. The man was a fool. You are the most lovable person I’ve ever known.” He cupped her face and kissed her again, then smiled against her lips. “I can’t believe you came back to me.”

“Blair and Megan helped me come to my senses.”

He chuckled. “Megan worked some of her wiles on me yesterday.” Then he realized how well his sister-in-law had orchestrated their reunion. “Wait here.” He stopped in the doorway and looked back at the most beautiful woman in the world, still in disbelief that she was naked in his bed. “Are you hungry?”

“Only for you,” was her husky response.

He felt his own body respond. “I plan to keep you very busy that way, but I’m talking about actual food.”

Her teasing fell away. “I only want you, Noah.”

“I’m all yours.”

He came back a few minutes later, grinning ear to ear. “Megan must have had a lot of faith we’d work things out.” He held a tray stacked with cheese, crackers, and fruit, along with two juice cups and the bottle of champagne. “She left a note saying I’d know when to use this.”

Libby sat upright in bed, letting the sheet pool in her lap, and the sight of her bare breasts was tantalizing enough for him to want to make love to her again. “She was always the one of us who was the most prepared for anything. Don’t let her innocent face fool you. She’s a schemer.”

He gave her a wicked look. “It’s the quiet ones that always fool you.” He popped the top of the champagne and filled the juice cups, handing one to Libby.

“Look at this,” she laughed. “Someone gave us champagne and I didn’t even have to wear my wedding dress.”

Her smile faded, and guessing the reason, he cupped her cheek in his hand. “I have your dress. It’s back at my apartment. I couldn’t leave it.”

She looked down at the tray on the bed. “Thank you.”

He lifted her chin and searched her eyes. “Promise me that you’ll never leave me again. I don’t think I could survive it.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Never.”

“And I’ll never leave you. It would be like ripping out my own heart.”

They made love again, this time more playful, and he marveled how every time seemed to be better than the last. Then they lay in each other’s arms and Libby told him about her friends’ intervention and how miserable she’d been without him. He told her about his talk with Josh and the possibility of taking over the Seattle office.

“What do you want to do?” Libby asked.

“I don’t know yet.” He looked down at her. “What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to be happy. Whatever that means.”

“I have to provide for us, Libby. I want you to focus on your photography.”

“You don’t have to provide for me. We’re partners. We’ll figure it out. Together. Okay?” she asked sleepily. He realized it was after midnight in Kansas City. No wonder she was tired.

He gazed into her eyes and kissed her softly. “I made you a present.”

That got her attention. “What is it?”

“I’ll show you tomorrow.”

She propped herself up on her elbow. “You can’t tell me that and expect me to wait. I want my present now, Noah McMillan.”

He leaned over and kissed her again. “I’ll give you anything you want, Libby McMillan.”

She grinned against his lips. “You’ll regret that promise.”

“Probably.” He grinned back. “But it’s worth it.” He stood and stepped into his jeans. “I need to take poor Tortoise outside anyway. Don’t fall asleep.”

But she was dozing when he got back, her hair spilled on the pillow behind her head. He stared at her for several seconds before she roused.

“Stalker,” she murmured.

“I couldn’t help myself,” he laughed as he sat down beside her, hiding the candlestick behind his back.

“Where’s my present?”

“Am I not present enough?” he teased.

“You’re everything I need, but you promised me a present. Where is it?”

He loved this about her. Her excitement over the littlest things. She made him feel that same giddy happiness. He had no idea how he’d gotten lucky enough to have her, but he would never deny his need for her again.

He fingered the grooves of the candlestick, suddenly nervous. “I made it for you this afternoon. I was going to bring it to you as a peace offering. I’m still rusty, so keep that in mind.”

“You were going to come to me?”

“I couldn’t live without you, Lib. Even if that makes me a selfish bastard.”

She grinned. “Then I’m a selfish bastard too.” She sat up, practically bouncing with excitement. “Now back to my present. You
made
it? Give it to me!”

He put it into her open hands. “It’s a candlestick. Like I said, I’m rusty so it’s a little uneven on the left—”

She kissed him and pressed the candlestick into his chest in her excitement.
“You made this?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever gotten. It’s even better than the one Blair gave me before I got on the plane, so that’s saying something.”

He wanted to ask what Blair had given her, but she distracted him with that beautiful mouth of hers. They showered each other with kisses, and he marveled that he could be so deliriously happy.

As he drifted off to sleep, her voice broke into his thoughts.

“Oh, my palm was right all along,” she murmured, half-asleep. “And I was scared I’d gotten it wrong.”

He roused awake, determined to never let her down again. “What did you see on your palm?”

“You. I was so worried it was someone else.” She looked up at him when he tensed. “I’ll explain it to you tomorrow. Just know that your candlestick is the most perfect present to chase away my last lingering doubt.”

“You still doubt us?”

She shook her head. “No. Not anymore. Just promise to love me even when the girls go south and we’re good.”

He smiled, kissing her forehead. “I promise to love you no matter what.”

It was the easiest promise he’d ever made.

Libby paced the floor of the New York art gallery, feeling like she was about to throw up. Her exhibit was opening in half an hour and she wasn’t ready.

Her husband’s arms pulled her back to his chest and his lips found her neck. “It’s going to be great, love,” he whispered in her ear. “Your exhibit is amazing.”

She laughed. “You’re just saying that because you’re in every single photo.”

He laughed with her. “Well, I’m sure having an amazing model helped.” He spun her around, looking down at her with so much love it sucked her breath away. “I’m so proud of you, Lib. You did it.”

“Only because of your encouragement.”

Garrett groaned. “Are you two newlyweds about to attack each other again? Because you have a room only a couple of miles away.
Use it.
”

“Like you’re one to talk,” Noah laughed, keeping his arm around her back and tugging her to his side. “I just saw you feeling up
your
wife a few minutes ago.”

To Libby’s surprise, Blair blushed.

“Okay, okay.” Josh squeezed Megan’s hand as they walked toward the group. “We’re all newlyweds and we can’t keep our hands off each other. May we always be this way.”

“Hear, hear,” Noah agreed and motioned toward the entrance to the room.

A waiter walked up to Noah, carrying a tray of champagne. “As you requested, sir.”

Noah winked at Libby and she felt herself blush as he started to hand out the flutes. “I think all six of us have something to celebrate, so Libby and I thought it would be good for all of us to say what we’re grateful for.” He held up his glass and looked into Libby’s eyes. “Libby. I wouldn’t be half the man I am without you. Thank you for standing by me while I tried to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.”

He’d struggled with his decision to stay in the office, but Libby had encouraged him to try, assuring him he’d have her full support to quit if he felt pressured or overwhelmed by Josh. But Josh had stuck to his promise to stay out of Noah’s office. He’d flourished in his position over the last couple of months. Libby was so proud of him, some days she wasn’t sure she could contain her happiness.

They’d moved into his grandfather’s house, and he spent part of his time in the workshop, creating things out of wood. She’d confessed her fear that her palm had said she would marry someone creative, and he’d told her that if woodworking wasn’t creative enough, he had all sorts of creative ways to make love.

“I’m so proud of you, Libby.” His eyes glistened. “You did it, baby. Even though I tease you about your success being linked to your ridiculously handsome model, this was all you. And it’s just the beginning of many great things.”

She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him, smiling against his lips before she lowered back down.

“I never would have finished if not for you. Not just because you were my model,” she teased. “But because quitting was never an option. You fed me, gave me coffee, and encouraged me when I was sure I’d never make the deadline. Thank you.” Tears filled her eyes. “I never knew I could be so happy until you loved me.”

Garrett coughed and said under his breath, “Get a room.”

The group laughed and Noah kissed her anyway. When he lifted his head, he shot his friend a grin. “Okay, hot shot. Your turn.”

Blair lifted her eyebrow in expectation.

Garrett’s grin turned mischievous for a moment, like he was going to make some sort of joke, but then he said, “I’m grateful for second chances.” He turned to his wife and held up his glass. “Blair, these last few months have been a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I can’t believe you’re mine after everything that happened, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

He wrapped his free arm around Blair’s waist and pulled her in for a long kiss.

“Get a room.” Noah laughed.

The others joined him in laughter.

Blair blushed again, trying to regain composure. “I was going to say I was grateful for this ass—” Garrett leaned into her ear and whispered something that made her smile. “I’m grateful for my friends who tolerate my brisk behavior and love me anyway. And I’m also grateful for second chances. Both in love and in friendship.” Her gaze settled on Libby. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world, Libs.”

Libby smiled at her friend.

“My turn,” Josh said, glancing first at Noah and then at Megan. “I’m grateful that I sat down next to a drunk woman on a plane who told me her sad tale. And I’m so glad I took a chance and pretended to be her fiancé.” He smiled down at her. “I couldn’t imagine my life without you.”

She looked up at him with adoring eyes. “Neither can I.”

Everyone clicked their glasses together and took a sip, with the exception of Megan, who had an ornery grin on her face as she held her glass in place.

“Why aren’t you drinking?” Blair demanded, her question an accusation.

Megan’s grin grew wider.

“Oh, my God!” Libby shouted. “Are you
pregnant?
”

Megan cringed. “I wasn’t going to say anything until after your exhibit, Libs. It’s
your
night, but Noah figured it out yesterday so this was all his idea. I hope you’re not angry. I didn’t want to take the spotlight away from you.”

“Angry?” She shook her head. “I’m going to be an aunt. A
real
aunt since you’re my sister-in-law now, not pretend like before. This is perfect.”

“Sure,” Blair said drily. “Rub it in.”

Megan pulled both of her friends into a hug. “I love you both the same. I want you
both
to be godmothers.”

“You realize this is the end?” Blair asked. “No more date nights. No more cute outfits. Nothing but sleepless nights and spit-up.”

Megan’s eyes filled with fear, but Libby squeezed her arm. “Don’t listen to her, Megs. It’s not the end. It’s just the beginning of something wonderful.”

Then she gave Noah a knowing smile as she held the glass of champagne she’d pretended to sip. It was a new beginning for
both
McMillan families.

And Libby had never been happier.

Thank you to Angela Polidoro, my developmental editor. You get me. You encourage me and you understood that my head wasn’t in the game when I sent you a partially completed manuscript the first round. Thanks for putting up with my self-doubt and crappy first drafts with this series. Your belief that I can create a good book makes me believe it’s possible too.