Page 248 of Love in Riverbend
My forehead furrows. “Did she say that was bad?”
A smile threatens Marilyn’s lips, curling the ends. “She agreed it made you more stable. And by the sound of what Mr. Stevens proposed to you, he sees your life experiences as assets that you can bring to Parker and Stevens.”
Rubbing her back, I ask the same question I’ve been asking since last night, “Will you give me another chance?”
“You’re scary too.”
“I am?” I ask with a grin.
Marilyn nods. “I’m afraid to trust you.”
“You trusted me with your body last night.”
“And today.”
“And today,” I say, smiling.
“My body isn’t as easily hurt as my heart.”
I lay my hand over her sweater. “If you think I’d ever hurt what’s protected by these amazing boobs, intentionally,” I add, “you don’t know me. I’d like to get to know you better and vice versa.”
“That means telling our friends the truth?”
“I think it does.”
“Okay.”
Our lips come together, a kiss sealing our agreement and increasing my circulation. When she pulls slightly away, I tip my chin down. “Unless we want Devan and Justin to wait longer, I suggest we head downstairs.”
“Do you think they’d mind if we were another thirty minutes?”
Holding her securely, I spin, lowering her to the bed and leaning over her. Marilyn’s giggles fill the air, and her smile radiates her change in emotion. When she looks up at me surrounded by a cloud of her soft hair, I am taken by how much I truly want this to work.
“I think we should go downstairs,” she says.
Cupping her chin, I run my thumb over her puffy lips. “I prefer your smile.”
“I prefer smiling.”
I stand and reach for her hand. “Ready to come clean?”
“Are you proposing another shower, because I’m game.”
Damn. This woman.
“Many future showers. Devan and Justin first.”
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
Chapter 20
Marilyn
With my hand in Ricky’s, we make it down the back stairs. The newly renovated kitchen is beautiful, but devoid of people. Together, we walk through the first floor, the dining room and the living room. At each turn, I expect to see our friends. We find nothing but silence. Finally, we make it to the front office. For most of my life, it belonged to Devan’s dad, Jack. Now, I suppose it is Justin’s.
The door is closed.
Ricky looks my way, silently shrugging. I nod. Instead of knocking, he opens the door and grumbles. “Jeez, get a room.”
