Page 57 of California Sunsets

They kissed deeply, and in seconds he was hungry for her again.

There was so much love and lust in her eyes he knew she was feeling the same way. “Plus you adopted this rescue dog who would have been a goner by now if it hadn’t been for you.” Nelson was listening to every word and wagging his tail. “Sorry, Nelson.” She kissed Jay again. “And I found out for sure that you’re the anonymous donor who saved the shelter.”

Even though he’d already admitted it to her, he was slightly upset. “That donation was supposed to be confidential.”

“I’m a pretty good investigative reporter when I want to be.” She smiled. “Plus, I went to high school with the head of the shelter. She couldn’t hold back about the ‘great-looking man who brought us a huge check.’”

Uncomfortable with being painted as such a good guy, he swiftly changed the subject and asked how the rest of the family had been after he’d gone.

“I didn’t stick around for long, but my brothers are still pretty mad. If I know Mom and Dad, they’re still at the table, talking them down. My folks seem really supportive of you and me together.”

He kissed her again because he couldn’t help himself. “I went to Betsy when I knew I was falling for you, but thought I’d messed this up. She told me she saw this coming ten years ago.”

Erin’s eyes went wide. “What? I can’t believe how intuitive my mom is.”

“That’s where you get it from.”

“I kind of love that you confided in her first.”

“She really is like family to me. And so kind and understanding.” He paused. “You are a lot like her.”

Erin smiled shyly. She was about as good at accepting compliments as Jay was. They walked hand in hand to Jay’s office so he could switch off his computer.

She eyed the script and the screenwriting books on his desk, intrigued. “Were you busy? Did I interrupt anything?”

“Believe it or not, I was working on the romantic comedy script. This thing better sell, because it looks like I’m losing my biggest clients.”

“They’ll get over it. After all, where are Arch and Smith ever going to find an agent who hustles like you do?” She turned to face him with an expression so sweet and serious. “Andwho loves them like a brother.” With that, she moved into his arms at exactly the same time as he pulled her into them.

They went up to his bedroom and made love, their bodies communicating without any need for words, with all the sweetness and tenderness growing between them. Maybe the fact that he had stood up for her, believed in her, told her family in no uncertain terms how strong he thought she was, meant that she was beginning to see herself in that light too.

* * *

Kissing his shoulder, still breathing fast, Erin turned herself onto one elbow. “Jay Malone, you are good for me. I never thought of myself as being that strong.”

“Are you kidding me? You are one of the strongest people I’ve ever known.”

“Maybe you’re right,” she agreed. She had made a beautiful, happy life for herself and now she was in bed with the man of her dreams in the house of her dreams. It was time to put the past firmly behind her and look forward to all the future held.

Tracing patterns on his chest with her fingertips, she said, “You know, Mila was also Team Jay from the start.”

“Wait, she knew about us?”

“I told her I had a crush on you before anything happened. Tessa, too. They both thought we’d be a good match.” She laughed. “Way before I did, actually. They encouraged me to give you a shot.”

Jay picked up her wandering hand and kissed her on the wrist, where her pulse was still slowing. “I owe those two dinner.” He kissed her palm. “Man, I love the way you support each other. If only your brothers felt the same way as the women in your family.”

“I love my family too,” she agreed. “But I’m also pretty irritated with them for butting in the way they did.”

“It’s only because they love you so much.”

“I know. But there’s a difference between love and thinking they know what’s best for me.”

He nodded. “Believe me, I don’t think anyone is underestimating you now. Least of all me.” He paused, and something shifted behind his eyes. He seemed suddenly lighter. She was beginning to recognize that look as Jay’s lightbulb moment. She waited, excited to hear what he was about to say.

He grinned. “Write this romantic screenplay with me. I’m serious about it and I think I’m on to something.”

“What?” She was stunned. “Seriously? I’m a journalist, not a screenwriter.”

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