Page 23 of Forbidden Flames

He stood up and came around to sit in the other chair, facing her. “Yeah,” he replied, leaning forward and taking her hands. “I love you. And I’m so damn sorry for not leaving a note for you the other morning.”

He felt her thumb brush over his hand and wanted to pull her into his arms. But he was trying to take this slowly with her.

“I think,” she whispered, leaning forward as well, “I’m in love with you too.”

His heart stuttered and began to race. “You think?”

She chuckled and shifted their hands, lacing her fingers through his. “I know that you love pastrami and Swiss cheese sandwiches. I know that you prefer them hot rather than cold.” She pulled his hand closer, kissing one fingertip. “I know that you care about every person here at the club. And that you protect anyone that you care for.” She kissed another fingertip. “I know that you try to hide your caring and concern under a gruff exterior.” She kissed another fingertip. “I know that you’re a faker, Hendrix.”

“What do I fake?” he demanded, wanting to pull her onto his lap, but also enjoying these small kisses.

“You fake being grumpy to hide your concern.” She nipped his finger. “You pretend that you don’t notice things, but in reality, you notice everything.” She nibbled another finger. “And that’s why you’re so incredibly good at your job. No one can slip anything by you.”

“You can,” he replied, gruffly.

“I can?”

“Hell yes.” He reached out with his free hand, pulling her chair closer until their knees touched. “Whenever you come into a room, I don’t notice anything except you.” He reached out to touch her hair. “When you smile, my concentration is shot.” He stroked her cheek. “Remember last year when that new waiter dropped his drinks tray?”

“Yeah. He was new. He’s gotten much better.”

Hendrix shook his head, keeping eye contact with her. “It wasn’t his fault. I bumped into him because you laughed at something Maggie said.”

Emily stared at him, her mouth forming a delicious “O” of surprise. “Are you kidding?”

“Nope,” Hendrix replied. “Afterwards, I gave him a gift certificate to a coffee shop to keep him from ratting me out.”

Emily laughed and Hendrix gave into the impulse that had been gnawing at him since Emily had walked in. He lifted her from her chair, setting her down on his lap. “So…will you marry me?”

Emily wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning into his muscular chest. “That depends,” she whispered, her lips less than an inch from his.

“On what?” He couldn’t keep his hands from straying. One hand rested on her derriere and the other on her knees, as he manfully resisted the urge to slide his hand between her legs. Later, he promised himself.

“On whether you’re going to give me half of that sandwich.”

Hendrix blinked at her. It took him several moments to process her statement. When he realized that she’d just agreedto marry him, he groaned. Both of his hands moved to her head, holding her close so that he could kiss her and seal the deal.

“Damn it, woman! You drive me wild!”

She laughed and kissed him again. “Back at ya, big guy!”

Epilogue

Emily smiled as she walked down the stone pathway. The club was closed for the day and the sun was warming the earth. Over the soft music, she heard birds off in the distance and…laughter! Turning, she smiled as Maggie and Ann poured glasses of champagne, then brought one for her. Emily laughed as she accepted the glass, but didn’t taste it. She didn’t need alcohol. Not today.

“Are you ready?” Maggie asked, her lovely features glowing as she turned to Emily. “You look absolutely beautiful, by the way.”

Ann threw an arm over Maggie’s shoulders, nodding her agreement. “You’re glowing!”

Astra popped her head into the tent. “Are you ready?” she asked, then gasped, stepping fully into the tent. “Oh my! That dress is perfect!”

Emily lifted the side of her wedding gown, the silk chiffon swaying with her hips as she did a twirl. “I’m more than ready,” she replied, thinking that she’d never been so happy. This moment, this perfect, beautiful day, would live in her memory forever.

Maggie and Ann laughed, then rushed over to hug Emily. “You’re getting married!” they both shrieked. The trio laughed with happiness.

Clarissa and Bailey stepped into the tent. Clarissa wore a sunny yellow dress for the wedding and Bailey had chosen a flowing lavender gown. “What’s going on?” Clarissa called out above the din. Then the two of them laughed at the image of the usually stern club manager laughing with delight.

“You know, there’s a very nervous man waiting at the end of the aisle,” Astra pointed out. “Hendrix can’t appreciate just how handsome he looks in that tuxedo. And you all know the bowtie isn’t going to last long.”

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