Page 107 of Passionate Defense

“Well, I’ll be damned.”

“Because of you, Melanie Langston, the Ice Queen, was born. When you came along a few years later, I was firmly enmeshed in the character and she had bled into my real life. I’m still surprised you asked Melanie out.”

“Other than by reputation, I didn’t know her. If you recall, we met at a children’s charity fundraiser, which by definition is a no-bitch zone. You weren’t allowed to wear a power suit or crush us mere mortals under your dainty heel that day.”

There was that cutting wit she was used to. Thank heavens he had come back to her. “It was a carnival. I would have looked funny in the cake walk or dunking booth in a business suit and stilettos.”

“I would have noticed that for sure. Although I didn’t have trouble spotting you that day. You were working the face-painting booth and I remember your line was longer than anyone else’s. The kids were beaming up at you, falling in love with your laugh and your smile, the same as me.”

“Ethan.” She couldn’t manage more because her eyes misted, having found yet another reason she loved him.

“I would never have asked the Ice Queen out. But I leapt at the chance to have lunch after the event with sweet Lanie.”

“I’m glad you asked. Until you came along, Melanie had Lanie hidden so deep I almost lost her. I was immersed in work—we’ve already established I can be rather obsessive—and was a bit of a killjoy. I almost didn’t go that day. Thank heavens my friends dragged me away from research on a case.” She laid her hand on his cheek, whispering with all her heart, “From the beginning, it was different with you. You were comfortable, like slipping on a well-worn pair of shoes. I didn’t have to pretend with you and could go back to being Lanie the dreamer. It was wonderful.”

“Good to know I’m like a pair of smelly old sneakers.”

“Seriously? That’s what you got from all of that?”

“I was teasing, sweetheart.”

“I know,” she replied. “Maybe that wasn’t the best example, but I think a husband should be comfortable, as well as a safe haven, a refuge, a beacon in a storm, and a hero. Which you are. When you hold me in your arms, I feel like I’m home. You demonstrate your love every day with a smile or a touch, caring for me when I’m sick or protecting me when I have a ditzy moment.” She quickly put two fingers against his lips when he opened them. “No airhead jokes or commentary, please.”

“I didn’t say a word.” Maybe not, but his eyes twinkled with amusement.

Since she was laying it all out on the table, she continued her confession. Inching up so her mouth aligned with his, she whispered against his lips, “When you take the lead and exert your dominance, either calling me on my crap or spanking my behind, that’s when I’m free to be me. Only with you do I feel brave enough to shed the carefully constructed persona of the Ice Queen. Only with you can I become Lanie, your wife, lover, willing submissive, and yes, even sometimes, your bratty girl. I can laugh, cry, and act silly with you, and explore all my fantasies. That’s the real me, Ethan, and I thank you for letting me just be.”

She kissed him, her heart fluttering with anticipation when his hand threaded through her hair and he took over. The taste of his tongue when it swept inside was a delicious blend of mint and desire, igniting a burning need within her. Soon she wouldn’t be able to think straight, let alone say what she had to say. She twisted and pulled back.

“Wait,” she gasped.

“What is it?”

“I wasn’t finished.”

He huffed a small laugh as his tongue licked along her bottom lip. “You had me atonly with you.”

“I did?”

“Yeah, but finish what you want to say.”

“I love you, Ethan.”

His grin broadened. “Love you, too, babe. Was that it?”

“No.” Feeling the hard length of him pressing insistently against her thigh, she reassured him, “But I’ll make it quick. Do you remember the night you proposed your radical approach? I wasn’t sure about it because Melanie the control freak still had a firm grip on me, but I trusted you and put myself in your hands with no preconceived ideas. I balked and whined some, and freaked out on you once or twice.” She caught her breath before making her last point clear. “I always trusted you to know what was best. I always knew you would do what had to be done to save me and to save us. More and more lately, I shudder to think what would have happened if you hadn’t stepped in.”

He planted a foot in the mattress and rolled them until she was looking up at him. She saw the raw emotion in his eyes, especially the love.

“Me, too, because from my vantage point, you were on the verge of collapse. I’m grateful you went along with it because you’re right, we are stronger for it. But I’d give it all up and find another tactic if it wasn’t what you wanted. More than anything, I want you to be happy.”

“I love my life, Ethan, and our life together. I wouldn’t change a thing because you’re in it. You’re what makes me happy.”

As he cradled her face, his fingers gently tangled in the silky hair at her temple. “My happy girl,” he whispered. “Did you have anything else to add?”

She thought for a moment and shook her head. “No. I think that about covers it.”

“Good, then give me that mouth, baby, and make me an even happier man.”

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