Page 109 of The Lady Has a Past

“You wanted a no-strings-attached affair with a reckless, fun-loving divorcée, a lady with a past. A fast woman.”

“Are you going to hold that over my head forever?”

“Probably,” Lyra said. “I like to watch you turn red.”

“Okay, I admit I miscalculated. I wanted to keep things light.”

“Superficial.”

“Superficial,” he said through set teeth. “Whatever. But I had my reasons. I’ve got a lousy track record when it comes to relationships.”

“So do I.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Your record isn’t nearly as bad as mine.”

Lyra turned to face him. She rested her arm along the back of the seat and appeared to give his comment some serious consideration.

“I’ll grant you that point,” she said. “I suppose I could work on my track record by going through a few more lousy relationships. But I think it would be a waste of time.”

“Why do I have the feeling that I’m not winning this argument?”

“Probably because you don’t stand a chance. I’ve got an answer for everything, remember?”

“Sarcasm is beneath you.”

“No, it’s not. What do you say we go meet Dr. Otto Tinsley?”

“He’s not a real doctor of anything.”

“Lots of people use honorary titles.”

“Fake titles.”

“I’m through with this quarrel.” Lyra opened her door and put one foot on the ground. “I can’t wait to meet Dr. Tinsley.”

“We are not going anywhere until I finish what I started here,” Simon said.

“Oh, all right.” She turned halfway around to face him. “I’m listening.”

“I’m trying to tell you that I thought it would be better for both of us if things didn’t get serious. But then they did. I no longer want a fling. I want more—a lot more. I love you, damn it. I realize you’ve decided that you never want to marry, but—”

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“But I think you feel something for me,” he said, determined to finish what he had started. “I’m hoping it’s enough to convince you to continue our relationship. I know you’re committed to your new career at Kirk Investigations. That’s not a problem—”

He broke off as her words finally hit him. “What?”

She smiled. “I said I’ve changed my mind about marriage. I love you.”

“What the hell? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I just did. I was biding my time, waiting until I thought you were ready for the truth.”

“I didn’t think a close relationship would ever work for me.”

“You hadn’t met me.”

“That is so damn right.” He wrapped a hand around the back of her neck and drew her toward him. “Will you marry me?”

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