Momentary Marriage(87)

Puzzlement and disbelief filled Amy’s face.

Doug took a step closer, reaching out for her hand. “I’ve never loved her.”

She didn’t resist him, didn’t pull her hand out of his, but only searched his face with eyes now fearful and confused.

“I’ve never loved anyone but you,” Doug said fervently, drawing her closer by the expedient of tugging on her hand. “I love you.”

Shocked silence was his answer, her gaze searching his, a tremulous smile beginning to quiver on her mouth.

In a rush of love and relief, he fought back the choked feeling in his throat and dropped to one knee on the pavement in front of her.

“Amy, I love you. Will you marry me?”

“Doug!” she said, a stunned note in her voice, her gaze bouncing from his face to the flood of people walking by them, back to his face.

“Will you?” he asked again, unconcerned about the amused looks they were drawing.

“I don’t understand,” she gasped, half tearfully.

“It’s a simple question,” he replied, his laughter soft and full of love.

Amy shook her head as if to clear it. “But Kelsey isn’t living with Jared now. There’s no reason to think they’ll stay married—“

“I know and I’m sorry for them,” he said without hesitation. “But as far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter. I’m not in love with Kelsey. I love you.”

“My God,” she breathed, her face growing pink under the glare of the streetlight. “My God.”

“This is a proposal, you know,” Doug said humorously, gesturing to his kneeling position. “I don’t have a ring in my hand, but you still have to answer.”

“Omigod,” she said slowly. “Omigod.”

Doug got up, took her into his arms and lowered his mouth to hers, so soft and warm. A quiver ran through her and the feel of her response sent hunger and need and relief raging in him.

Completely disregarding the curious stares and snickers, he held her tight in his arms and kissed her for all he was worth. His woman. His own, perfect woman.

At last he had his head screwed on right. With Amy in his arms, all the craziness of the past two weeks evaporated and his world righted itself. She was what he needed, the woman he needed for a lifetime.

His infatuation with Kelsey had only been a projection of his own self-image. But he didn’t need it anymore.

Lifting his head, he asked in a husky voice, “So will you marry me?”

“Yes.” Amy started to cry, her smile more beautiful than he’d ever seen.

“Right away?” he asked, his arms tightening around her.

“Yes.” She nodded and cried more.

“I’ve wasted so much time,” Doug said, bending to kiss her again.

***

“No, Brinkman,” Jared said sharply, “I do not want you to fire my wife.”

“I had no idea you two were—“ the head of the advertising agency broke off, starting again. “Marriage can be difficult. Ask any of my three ex-wives. I just didn’t know that you and Kelsey were having trouble.”

The older man looked harassed. “We don’t want you to feel uncomfortable here.”

“My relationship with my wife,” Jared said, emphasizing the last word, “is not your concern and in no way effects my doing business here.”

Brinkman cast him a doubtful glance, the worried furrow between his brows not lessening. “Kelsey has always been an excellent art director, but your account here—“

“Is not affected,” Jared repeated, feeling the tension coursing through him just knowing Kelsey sat only a few feet away from him. God, how he missed her.

“Well, if you’re sure,” Brinkman murmured, glancing anxiously through the open doorway to the conference room where the Meriton team waited. Kelsey sat to the side of the table, the smooth bell of her dark hair hiding most of her face.

Just seeing her here like this brought hunger clamoring inside him—hunger for her smile, her touch, the silver note of her laughter.

“Don’t fire her,” Jared repeated. “Our relationship is our own concern.”

“I just thought it might be uncomfortable,” the other man said, obviously uncomfortable himself.

“Let’s go in.” Jared turned, entering the conference room. All eyes turned toward him, except hers. Making his way to the seat reserved for him, he was deeply conscious of Kelsey keeping her gaze averted, the beautiful curve of her mouth in a tense line.

Brinkman started the meeting. “Well, boys and girls, what have we come up with for the Meriton’s new campaign….”

Not anxious to display his marital difficulties for Kelsey’s entire office to observe, Jared sat casually in his chair, careful to respond when addressed. His mind, however, couldn’t care less about the advertising for one of his damned hotels.