Kendall breathed deeply, then exhaled. Her breasts rose and fell beneath the lemon-colored tank top she wore. One delicate strap dipped off her shoulder, revealing her smooth skin, and the urge to kiss every inch of her exposed flesh grew strong inside him.
“Easy,” Rick said under his breath. They had a long way to go before he’d indulge in kissing of any kind with this woman who held his heart in her hands. He’d do best starting with the basics. “Congratulations.”
Her eyelids flew open wide. “Rick.” She blinked, obviously startled but not unhappy to see him if the hesitant smile on her face was any indication. “Congratulations about what?”
“You tamed the witch,” he said, speaking of Lisa. A smile tugged at his mouth. “That deserves a round of applause.” He clapped to prove his point as well as to break the tension between them.
“I don’t know if I tamed her.” Kendall laughed, her eyes sparkling. It had only been a few days but God he missed the light in her eyes and her easy laughter. “But I did set her straight.”
He nodded. “So I heard.”
“You were eavesdropping?” she asked, obviously surprised.
“Listening in a public place.”
She rolled her eyes. “Same difference. So . . . how much did you hear?” she asked as she bit down on her glossed lips.
He wanted to take a nibble too. “How much do you want me to know?” he asked instead.
She sighed, shifting from foot to foot, her discomfort obvious. “Rick, I don’t want to get into a game of twenty questions.”
“Neither do I.” He also didn’t want to stand here pining for a woman who’d just reject him again. “So how about you just answer my question. Tell me whatever it is you want me to know.” He stepped closer, taking the biggest risk of his life. But if he’d heard her correctly, she’d finally taken a risk too. If not, this was Rick Chandler’s last stand. “Talk to me.”
Kendall stared at Rick, taking in his beloved face, serious expression, and gorgeous mouth. Now that he stood before her, she didn’t know what to say so she opted for the truth. “I’m scared,” she admitted.
He reached out a hand and stroked her cheek. His roughened skin sent awareness shimmering throughout her body, reminding her not just of their physical connection but the emotional one as well. Obviously their bond remained despite her attempts to shut him out and the relief sweeping through her veins eased her mind a little bit. This was Rick and she could tell him anything.
As she looked into his eyes, she realized how much hinged on her reply. Though she feared he’d reject her, ironically she also feared he’d accept her. The life she’d always wanted and feared at the same time hung just within reach and she wouldn’t be human if she didn’t admit to being petrified.
Drawing a deep breath, she took a huge leap of faith, hoping Rick would be there to catch her. “I’m not leaving Yorkshire Falls after all.”
“Really.” He raised an eyebrow. “Do tell.”
An adorable smile tipped the corner of his mouth and Kendall knew he’d heard her entire conversation with Lisa. But he still deserved to be told firsthand and in a much different tone and manner than she’d taken with the witch, as Rick had aptly called Lisa.
“I . . .” Kendall paused and cleared her throat, nerves nearly paralyzing her. What if he turned away? What if he didn’t?
As if sensing her distress, he reached forward and clasped her hand in his, squeezing tight. For courage. For comfort. “Go on.”
She forced a smile that became easier and more real as she spoke. “I decided to stop running.”
“Because?”
He squeezed her hand harder and she appreciated his show of support, gaining hope. “I don’t know why. One minute I was looking at that blown-up photo and convinced myself the time had come to leave. That you and your family deserved better.”
“Did any of us tell you we wanted better?” He growled and a fierce scowl replaced his smile. Clearly he wasn’t pleased.
“Well no.” No one had planted the idea in her mind.
“But you figured you’d make the decision for us. Thank you very much.” He shook his head.
“It was an excuse for me to run.”
“It was an excuse for you to run,” he said at the same time.
She laughed, the lump in her throat disappearing. “You know me so well.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all along.” His voice grew somber, serious, and even more sexy if such a thing was possible.
“I wish I could promise you this would be easy.” She gestured back and forth between them. “That I’d have no trouble adjusting.”
“If I wanted easy I’d be with Lisa.” He grinned, slapping his thigh and laughing hard at his own joke.
“Very funny.”
“I thought so,” he said, then shrugged. “Seriously, sweetheart, all I want is you, in one place. With me. The rest will come naturally, I promise. A few bumps in the road maybe, but every married couple deals with those sooner or later.”
“Married?” She stepped back in surprise and hit the wall behind her.
He followed, leaving no room for retreat. “We can do this one of two ways. Slow and easy or fast and hard.” He braced one hand on the wall over her shoulder. “I don’t want to push you into more than you’re ready for but I do have to lay my cards and intentions on the table so there’s no mistake.”
She nodded. She wanted that too. Honesty, up front, no mistakes, no surprises. No retreat.
“I want to marry you.” He stroked her cheek with his other hand. “I want to spend the rest of my natural life with you. I want to help you raise your hellion sister along with a
