Who? Who is she? Let’s see her!
Dee covered her face with her hands. No, he isn’t!
But, he stepped to the edge of the stage, right in front of her, dropped to one knee, and held out his hand. She shook her head, refusing to budge, but he grabbed her hand and pulled.
She scrambled onto the stage, feeling more scared than Jack had looked moments ago. Spotlights blinded her, and the roar of the crowd deafened her. Only her sense of touch still worked as she clung to Rodney’s warm grip.
“This is Dee. She’s an amazing woman and an attorney general, serving the nation’s capital and society.” He bowed his head. “Well, I want you all to know I love her, and I hope she’ll have me back.”
“Yes!” she blurted out.
And, with thousands of pairs of eyes on them, he kissed her. Not a little peck but a deep one. It made her cry even harder. The media would put a picture of them in tomorrow’s papers. For once, she couldn’t wait to see it. Even though she surely had mascara running down her cheeks and a big, goofy grin on her face, she couldn’t wait to see proof of the happiest moment of her life.
* * *
Early the next morning, Rodney woke up with Dee in a hotel near the civic center. Thank God he had her back. Losing her again had been worse than the plane crash. He was also damn glad he’d yanked off Jack’s pathetic disguise and reclaimed himself.
“This room is a little different from the houseboat,” he joked. “No mosquitoes.”
“I like the boat better. Mosquitoes and all.” She curled into his arms, her bare skin against his setting him ablaze. “I like waking up with no clothes on, though.”
“Me, too. We’ll get us a boat.” He grinned. “Got to do my fishing. With an easier tour schedule, I’ll have plenty of time for it.”
They hadn’t talked much after the show. Caught up in a wild high, they’d been too busy ripping each other’s clothes off as soon as they’d entered the room. He’d forgotten how much he missed the adoring crowd. The massive rush he got from singing the songs he’d written for them.
“You blew me away last night,” she said. “You reminded me of a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.”
A houseboat in the middle of nowhere had definitely been a good cocoon for healing injuries.
He grinned. “I reckon I surprised everyone, including myself.”
“What made you do it?” she asked as she ran a lazy finger down his bare chest.
She probably expected to hear she’d been the reason, but he had to be honest.
“Bubba.”
“Bubba? The man who saved your life?”
He nodded. “He needs heart surgery he can’t afford. I couldn’t stand by and let him die.”
“That’s wonderful,” she said, kissing his cheek. “You’re a good man, Rodney.”
“Thanks. I hope we didn’t lose too many fans last night. Did I tell you? I promised to take care of his family after he passes.”
“You told me about Karen.” She shifted under the covers. “What exactly does taking care of them mean?”
Seeing her jealousy stirred his arousal. “Financial support, including paying her tuition so she can go back to nursing school. That’s it.”
“As long as that’s all it is.” She wound a lock of his gold hair around her finger. “You did make a public announcement that I’m your woman.”
“You are,” he vowed. “Timothy is awfully lonely, though. I think we should give him a playmate.”
“How? I don’t know any children.”
“I want to have a baby with you, Dee.” He clasped her hand under the covers. “Will you marry me?”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
“You heard me. I’m not about to let you slip away again.” When she didn’t answer, his heart fell into a nosedive like the plane. What would stand in their way this time? “If you need time to think…”
“No!”
“No, you won’t marry me?”
She rolled on top of him. “No, I don’t need any time. I know my answer.”
“Which is?” he asked, kissing her honey-sweet mouth.
“Yes,” she whispered as she gazed into his eyes. “One hundred percent yes.”
“Hell, yeah,” he cheered. “I have another question. When we have our child, do you think he’ll grow up to be an attorney or a rock star?”
She arched a brow. “Neither. She will be the president of the United States.”
He palmed her curves, ready to celebrate, but dread fought the passion rising in him.
“What’s the matter?” she asked, stroking his cheek.
“I’m not looking forward to the family business I have to deal with today.”
After breakfast, he planned to drive to the estate in Georgia. It was time to finish reclaiming his identity. Jack had run off after last night’s show, but he’d come home sooner or later. And when he did, they were going to have a long chat.
“Would you rather do it alone?” Dee asked.
“No,” he said stroking her curls. “You’re going to be my wife, so I’d rather face everything together. We both know how Jack is, though, so if you’d rather not…”
She sat up. “I’m not afraid of that little pissant. I hope you kick his ass.”
“I plan to. Last night’s humiliation is probably all the punishment he needs. If he gives me a hard time, though, he’s going to have legal problems for impersonating me.”
Hopefully, having Dee by his side would remind him to be fierce because, no matter what, he could never seem to stop feeling sorry for his pathetic little brother.
* * *
When they arrived at the estate, Dee’s stomach dropped because it reminded her of their early date. The nasty greeting Jack had given her, in particular. She folded her arms over her red blouse. This time, the shoe was on the other foot.
“Good, his truck is here,” Rodney said as he parked in the garage.
For once, his black clothing fit the somber occasion. When they walked inside, Linda was cleaning.
“Welcome home, Rodney,” she said, stopping to give him a tight hug. “I’m so glad you’re all right. Last night at the
