Temporarily Yours(56)

When she started walking again, he grabbed her hand. She shot him an impatient look and huffed. He smiled at her, cupping her cheek in his free hand. “I can’t believe you agreed to a hundred percent.”

She smiled. “We’re a sure bet.”

“I’m going to make you the happiest woman ever.” He brushed his lips across hers. Light. Teasing. “Fair warning, though. I’m also going to make you fall in love with me. Consider yourself warned.”

“Consider me scared.” She ran her fingers down his jaw, her chest rising and falling rapidly. If he had it his way, he would do a lot more than make her breathe faster when they got to their room. “But honestly?”

He tugged her down the hallway. It was time to get her naked and screaming. “Yeah?”

“I’m already falling for you.”

His heart skipped a beat, and he spun to face her. He backed her against the wall and kissed her, putting all of his feelings and joy in that one kiss. Still, it wasn’t enough. Pulling back, he cupped her cheek and looked into her eyes, blown away by his happiness. “How did I get so damn lucky?”

She shot him a sexy come-hither look through her lashes. “I don’t know, but you’ll get even luckier once you get me into room 107.”

“Well in that case, I’ll speed up the process.” He swung her into his arms, and she clung to his shoulders. “You were right, you know.”

“About what?”

“My father. We talked it out last night.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yep. He isn’t ashamed of me, and he isn’t giving me the job because of my last name. He really thinks I’m the best. After the whole thing with Josh, I’d lost all faith in my abilities. He knew what was going on and was trying to reassure me that I still had the goods, but I was just too much of an ass to believe him.”

“I know you’re the best.”

His heart sped up. “Thanks. And thanks for opening my eyes. I told him I’ll train for a year, and then I’ll consider taking over the company. I still believe I need to work my way through the ranks—and he agreed.” He took a deep breath. “So I start at Shillings Agency next week.”

“That’s amazing.” She offered him a sheepish smile. “I talked to my dad, too. You were right about my parents. They really do love me, and even understand me.”

He laughed. “I know.”

She swatted his shoulder. “No need to be so cocky.”

“I can’t help it. I’m a cocky bastard.” He buried his face in her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. “And I’m selfish, too. I can’t wait to get you home so I can keep you all to myself every single night.”

“Oh God.” Kayla groaned and dropped her head on his shoulder. “Thanks for reminding me that we have to fly home. Why’d you have to go and ruin my happy buzz?”

He chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’ll be with you. I have ways to keep your mind off the fear.”

“Hm.” She smoothed his suit jacket and entwined her hands behind his neck. Pulling him closer, she added, “And what ways are those?”

He opened the door and kicked it shut behind him. Backing her up against the wall, he tilted up her chin. He took a moment to savor her like this.

Passionate. Wanting. Beautiful.

He tugged up her thigh until she took the hint and wrapped her legs around his waist. Then he ran his hands down the curves of her body.

“Distraction…”





Epilogue

One Year Later

Kayla sat on the plastic chair in the airport, fidgeting with her purse and glowering at the waiting death trap she could see through the window. Christmas carols played in the background, and people laughed and chatted merrily.

Not a big shocker there. It was Christmas time.

And for the first time, she’d sent out a couples Christmas card. The same ones she always rolled her eyes at? Yeah. She’d done it. And she and Cooper had laughed at their matching red sweaters with every stamp they stuck on. She’d never had so much fun sending out cards, for the love of God.

But then again, she’d never had so much fun, period. He made her laugh every single day, and she constantly thanked God that he’d been stabbed in the stomach with a candy cane a year ago. She thanked God for Cooper.

Speaking of which…he was heading her way.

His green eyes were locked on hers, and he wore a smile, a grey sweater, and a pair of casual jeans. His hair was tousled to perfection, and he looked as if he was the happiest man on Earth. He always told her he was.

A kid with a candy cane ducked in front of him, and he lunged back. Kayla laughed, then covered it up with her hand. But he’d heard it. He turned to her with a mock glare. “You find my fear of kids with candy funny?”