“Yes.”
“In that case I’m not going to do it.”
She pouted petulantly. “Spoilsport.”
“Okay, there you have it. The whole ball of wax. Mac Buchanan the first thirty-eight years.”
“And very interesting it is, too. Inspirational even.”
“I like to think so, honey.”
Despite what he’d told her, he felt her eager hand on his cock again, but now the telling of his life story was over and done with, he felt inclined to leave it there, enjoying the pleasure she gave him. When she snuggled closer, allowing her warm breath to feather across his chest, he finally understood just how deep his love for this beautiful lady ran.
Kendall was perfect, just perfect for him. Stunningly sexy, but brave as a lioness, too. Together, there wasn’t a damned thing in this crazy world they couldn’t deal with and overcome. The sex was great, and he loved every intimate moment he shared with her. Once he’d discovered the unselfish reasoning behind her actions, and after writing off her debt, their story should end here. By rights, they should be heading their separate ways now, only, he didn’t want that to happen.
Jesus Christ, I can be a dumb bastard at times.
It doesn’t have to end here, dummy. Go the extra mile. Tell the girl what you feel in your heart.
As he looked down at Kendall, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder, he saw her eyes were closed and her breathing relaxed. He guessed she straddled the slender margin that separates wakefulness from sleep.
“Kendall, honey,” he whispered, before gently blowing in her ear, causing those beautiful blue eyes to flicker open.
“Mmm, I’m so comfortable here.” She stretched luxuriously like a lazy cat in front of the fire.
He could tell by the way she smiled that her mind was in a real good place right now. Well, so was his. In fact, he’d never experienced such focus and clarity of purpose.
Her eyes started to flicker shut again, so he gave her a gentle nudge to keep her attention. “Kendall.”
“Mmm, I hear you.”
“You know everything about my past. Everything right up to the present day. Right up to this very moment, in fact.”
“Mmm, yes.” She could still barely keep her eyes open, but he knew she heard and understood.
“Well, would you like me to tell you the story of Mac Buchanan part III—The Future Years?”
“Huh,” she dreamily replied. “Even you can’t predict the future, Mac.”
“Oh, but you are so, so wrong, honey.”
“Am I? Go on then, astound me with your powers.”
He kissed her forehead, loving her more with each passing second. “Well, it goes like this. The Big Bad Newspaper Boss hires a stunningly beautiful financial controller by the name of Kendall Van Heusen.”
He enjoyed the sensual smile that curled the corners of her sexy, full lips. “That sounds familiar.”
“Yeah, it should do. Anyway, after wrongly distrusting her motives and actions, he realizes he’s made a big mistake, because later on he finds out she’s a really great girl. One he should have trusted all along. So, feeling like a selfish prick, the Big Bad Newspaper Boss decides to make amends by putting things right.”
“I see.” She stretched again, obviously finding it hard to keep her eyes open. “And how exactly does the Big Bad Newspaper Boss do that?”
“By asking his beautiful financial controller to marry him. By asking her to do him the honor of becoming his wife.”
Kendall instantly jolted awake and sat bolt upright, snatching her hand away from his cock. “Don’t tease me, Mac. If this is a joke, then it’s in very poor taste.”
“It’s no joke, honey. I love you, and you love me, and nothing would bring me greater pleasure than you becoming Mrs. Kendall Buchanan.”
Caught off balance and off guard, she floundered. “Yes…yes…yes, and I love you, too, Mac, but…but…”
He placed his index finger to her lips, stilling her midsentence. “Shhh, there ain’t no buts, honey.”
“But there is… What about your million bucks? You’ll never get that back now.”
He wistfully shook his head. “Wanna know something, Kendall?”
“What, Mac?”
“It’s because of the money that I’ve fallen in love with you, and you’re worth so much more to me than anything a million bucks could buy. Kendall, I love you. You mean the world to me, and you still haven’t given me your answer.”
“Oh, Mac.” Her beautiful mouth held the perfect O, and he saw sheer love reflected in her eyes—the love she felt for him. “Oh, Mac. In my wildest dreams I didn’t think it would end like this.”