Where You Least Expect (21 page)

She rolled her eyes.

“That’s probably true, you know? I saw how hard you worked here, how you set the tone. You picked good people and taught them the right way to do things and they’re keeping it up.”

“Sure. Or maybe it’s just habit. People came here before me, and they obviously don’t have a problem doing so now that I’m gone.

“Verna…”

“Stop. I’m fine with it, Joe. Really. I had some low moments, but I’ve never wanted my family’s business to suffer. I’m happy that they’ve continued without missing a beat.”

Joe was skeptical; she sounded like she was being honest, but with Verna, he could never quite tell. He started to protest but she stopped him.

“Let’s drop it. I’m in no mood for a lecture, Joe.”

“But—”

“No, stop. I don’t want to hear it.”

“Hear what?” he asked.

Her eyes flashed at him, the anger in them potent.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m going now.”

She went to stand and he lay his hand atop hers.

“Please stay,” he said.

“No,” she shook her head. “I don’t think I will.”

When she stood, Joe noticed the not remotely sly glances of onlookers, but Verna didn’t seem to care, and after she smoothed her skirt, which really did look amazing on her curved frame, and he’d have to tell her so, she exited. Joe didn’t let her get two steps before he was beside her, heartened by the annoyed look she threw his way, one of the few hints of the Verna he’d fallen for.

“Look,” she said, “save the speeches, okay? I’m in no mood.”

“What speeches?”

“All that rah-rah, Verna-you-could-be-the-shit-if-you-wanted-to crap that you spout.”

“You don’t want me to tell the truth?”

That stopped her in her tracks, and she turned to him.

“What? Like you did that night,” she said.

Her words, the poison in them and the hurt in her eyes that went with it were all his fault, and that knowledge stung.

“Don’t say you’re sorry,” she said when he would have begun speaking.

“Why not?”

“I fucking hate those words. Why are you sorry? You just followed your instincts, did what you should have even if you didn’t have the words to say as much.” Her voice was hard, but he could see the hurt in her eyes.

“Stuff it, Verna.”

Hurt turned to surprise as she squinted at him.

“Did you just tell me to stuff it?”

“I did, and you need to. Now, listen to me.” He reached up and held her face in his hands tenderly. “I’m sorry. That doesn’t really convey what I feel but from the very bottom of my heart, I sincerely apologize for what I did and I hope you can forgive me.”

His gaze searched hers, and he prayed she felt the truth of his words. “You’re an amazing woman, Verna, the best I’ve ever known. I love you.”

“Did you just…?”

“Yep.”

He smiled and dropped his hands, but she just stood in seemingly shocked silence.

“Okay. I’m dreaming.” She turned a complete circle before facing him again. “I just got a loan to buy La Femme. I’m going to run my very own clothing boutique, and Joe fuckin’ MacDermid just said he loves me right in the middle of Maple Street.”

“You’re gonna buy La Femme? That’s wonderful!” he said, genuinely proud and happy for her.

“Fuck the store for a minute. If you’re fucking with me…” she whispered, tears again in her eyes.

“I’ve never declared love before, but tears were not what I expected,” he said, trying to make light of the moment.

“I don’t believe you,” she said faintly.

His breath caught in his throat, but he pushed on.

“Well, I don’t believe that you don’t believe me,” he said. “But I’m willing to try and convince you for as long as it takes. Starting right now.”

He pulled her close and lowered his head to hers, capturing her lips in a kiss, one that he poured himself into. A kiss could never prove how much he loved her, he knew, but he tried, held her as close as he could while staying decent and kissed her with all his heart. When he lifted his head, he looked down at Verna, her eyes cloudy, but this time with happiness, and her lips puffy from his kiss.

“You’re kind of an asshole, Joe, but I love you too,” she said, that bright, shiny smile lighting her entire face.

It took a few moments for him to hear the cheers and clapping, and when he looked around, he saw that they’d gathered a crowd, one that included Poole and Blakely, who nodded what he took as approval at him. Verna looked around and saw it too, and he tried to imagine how this felt for her, someone who’d spent her entire life with these people.

“Is this okay?” he asked.

She smiled and then let out a boisterous laugh.

“Are you serious? Best fuckin’ day ever!”

••••

Verna had been serious when she’d proclaimed very unexpectedly, very publicly, that this was the best day ever. She’d only been proven more right as Joe had driven her home in his truck, his eyes bright with lust and, though she could still barely believe it, love. Save for the memory of the look in Joe’s eyes, the ride had been a blur, as had the desperate way that they’d undressed each other and fallen into his bed, passion and true affection a potent combination that only enhanced their lovemaking.

As Joe lay atop her, moving inside her with urgency but also whispering sweet words of love and caressing her softly, almost worshipfully, Verna couldn’t ignore the fleeting wonder that had her asking what had driven his change of heart. But then, as her climax hit her, she wondered no more, sucked into the passionate wave created by this man that she loved so dearly.

Later, when their breathing had evened and their bodies cooled, Joe lay looking at her naked form and at her eyes, his own revealed to her. His scrutiny made her feel bare, exposed, and on instinct, she reached for the sheet but in an instant changed her mind. There’d be no hiding anymore, physically or emotionally.

“Joe, why are you looking at me like that?” she finally asked.

“I’m just so happy to have you here; I wanna take all of you in.”

“Are you afraid you’re going to forget or something?”

The words were half serious, half joking. Declaration notwithstanding, Joe hadn’t said what he wanted from her, nor she him, and they both needed to be clear.

“I’ll never forget, Verna. Ever.”

The soft earnestness of the statement, the fact that Verna knew Joe was a man of his word, had Verna’s heart soaring and seizing at the same time. He really meant what he’d said. All of it. She hoped he could accept more, because, no matter how much she loved, and she did, truly, deeply, irrevocably love him, she’d cut out her heart and live life without him if the alternative was continuing as they had been. She wanted him, all of him, and she wanted him to want all of her. As painful as leaving him would be, she’d accept no less.

“So that kiss on Maple, that was a pretty prominent display; no doubt everyone from here to Charlotte has heard about it by now.”

“Good,” he said.

“Being publicly linked with me is something you’re okay with?”

“Verna, I feel like you need to get something off your chest, so please do.”

The words were direct, firm, as Joe so often was, but only that lust and affection burned in his eyes.

“Why, Joe?”

His eyes hooded, some of the spark fading. “Because I’m an asshole. I shouldn’t have done that, Verna, and I’d give anything to take it back. I was scared and stupid and I’ll do whatever it takes to make you trust me again.”

She saw the sincerity in his eyes and heard it in his voice but it wasn’t enough. “I want everything, Joe. You’re going to hold my fuckin’ hand as we walk down the aisle at the grocery store, and you’re going to tell everyone that we’re together and you’re going to be super nice to me all the time.”

“Deal.”

Verna smiled, relief lightening her and a streak of mischief rising in the wake of the sadness that had left her.

“And you’re going to stop correcting me when I say you’re in the Army or call you Jojo.”

“Not a chance.”

They both laughed and then caught each other in a fierce embrace.

Epilogue

“Dammit, Verna!”

“Well, if you’d just hold still, I could finish,” she said.

He looked down at her, the smile that seemed permanently etched on his face coming back full force.

“How can I hold still when my beautiful fiancée is on her knees with her head buried in my crotch?”

“I don’t know this ‘beautiful fiancée’ you speak of, but Verna Love is down here and she’s got needles, so you best hold still,” she said, glancing up at him quickly before returning to her task.

A few minutes later, she said, “All done.” Then she stood up to admire her handiwork. “You’ll do,” she said with an approving nod.

Joe pulled her in a tight hug and pressed a kiss against her lips as she giggled and pulled away.

“You’re gonna wrinkle your uniform, and I’m not pressing it again before tomorrow.”

“Fine,” he said. “But what say you lock the door while I get out of this thing and then we can finally christen the new Threads of Love.”

“What, Mr. SEAL-teacher extraordinaire? You wanna show me some new maneuvers?”

“Always,” he said, pulling her even closer.

“Nope,” she said. “We still have thirty minutes, and I wouldn’t be a good owner if I didn’t set and maintain my hours, now would I?”

“I see your point,” he said with a deep sigh.

“Aww, don’t be so dramatic, Josiah. Besides, with the big day tomorrow, I thought you’d want to preserve your energy.”

He removed his jacket and pressed a hand against Verna’s hip.

“Oh, I always have energy for you,” he said suggestively.

“So I’ve learned,” she said on a laugh. “Are you nervous?”

“No.” He looked at her skeptical face. “Yes.”

“You shouldn’t be. You’re gonna be the best damn instructor those guys could hope for.”

He was heartened by her confidence, not that she’d ever shown anything but. Joe still hadn’t quite adjusted to the idea of the new job but he was looking forward to the challenge with an excitement he hadn’t felt for years. But not nearly as much as he was looking forward to the next phase of his life, one sure to be loud and bold and fun and full of love.

Just like the woman he’d share it with.

••••

I hope you
enjoyed Verna and Joe’s story. Look for the next book in the series,
Who You Least Expect
, coming in 2015. For the latest information on new releases,
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Playthings Series

Look for the first three books in the Playthings series:

Devil’s Plaything-
Playthings Book One

A dangerous man. A simple woman. A love neither ever expected.

They call him Devil, the name he was born to and one that he’s more than earned. Devil has no misconceptions about who he is and what he deserves. At least he didn’t until he met her…

Despite hardship, Julie Manchin has managed to make her way in the world, and while her life isn’t glamorous, she’s satisfied with her uncomplicated existence. But when she crosses paths with Devil one fateful night, her small, orderly universe is upended.

Swept up in a whirlwind of passion that she doesn’t quite know how to handle with a man she never imagined, can Julie break through his tough exterior and become something more than Devil’s plaything?

Demon’s Plaything-
Playthings Book Two

The things she’ll do for love…

Dr. Shayla Rodgers has dedicated her life to helping people, which is why she never expected to find herself skirting the edges of the law. But her sense of right and wrong is only eclipsed by her love for her family, so when her brother once again finds trouble, she’ll do whatever it takes to rescue him.

Demon is all for having a good time, and the money and excitement that came with the underground-fight scene used to be just that. But things are changing, and he’s willing to admit that the once-good times have gotten pretty stale. Yet when the lovely Dr. Rodgers arrives, his interest is sparked and he finds that the scene might not be quite so boring after all.