Page 40 of Highest Bid

She smiled. “Looks delicious. Even Ned would be impressed.”

Galan carried the vinaigrette and skewers to the table. “I doubt anything I’d do right now would impress Ned.”

Layla followed him with the salad and cutlery. “Ned can admit when he’s wrong.”

Galan’s tone turned somber. “He thinks I’ll hurt you.”

“Not anymore.” At his quizzical look, she added, “Last time I spoke to him, he said you wanted me in your life, and it gave him hope for his own ‘sorry ass.’”

Galan rubbed a hand over his nape. “Ned can be very astute. I only wish he’d find someone as perfect as you are for me.”

Touched by his sincerity, she headed to the stereo and selected some soft background music. “I’ve wished the same for Colleen.”

“A pity Colleen isn’t Ned’s type.”

It was Layla’s turn to laugh. “You’ve got that right. He thinks she brings all her bad fortune onto herself.”

Galan nodded. “I agree.” Music filtered through the surround-sound speakers, and as she returned to the table, Galan added huskily, “Allow me,” before he pulled out a chair for her.

She smiled, her belly fluttering right along with her heart. “Such a gentleman, thank you.”

He smiled in return as he took a seat opposite. “You’re welcome. My brothers and I were raised to use our manners.”

Her heart contracted at his loss. “I’m only sorry your mom and dad aren’t alive to see how well their sons are doing now.” She picked up her knife and fork, needing something in her hands so as not to fidget. But damn it, he’d said not to tiptoe around his parents’ death, and she wouldn’t. She looked past the vase of colorful flowers to Galan. “They’d be so proud.”

He nodded. “I’ve had those same thoughts myself. I like to think they’re looking down at us even now and smiling at how far we’ve come.”

She reached out a hand to reverently touch an orchid petal. “I have no doubt about that.” Her eyes caught his, her throat closing up a little. “Maybe your parents are also watching over my little brother.”

Galan pushed to his feet, and in one stride he was next to her and drawing her onto her feet. “Dance with me,” he said hoarsely.

She blinked. “Dinner—”

“Can wait.”

She nodded and stepped into his arms as “One More Try” by George Michael poured its soulful tune over them.

She closed her eyes, soaking in Galan’s warmth and strength, while the song pulled at every heartstring she had and her emotions bubbled over. Galan lifted her chin with a gentle hand, then bent and kissed the tear running down her cheek.

When he pulled back, his own eyes were wet, his voice heartfelt when he said hoarsely, “I love you, firecracker.”

Chapter Fifteen

Galan’s heart wrenched with emotions he could no longer deny or hold back. He really, truly loved Layla!

The truth barreled through him like a tsunami, rendering him impotent. Then she looked up at him with inky-drenched eyes that returned his love in full, and he was all but brought to his knees.

The song continued as he drifted with Layla into her bedroom. He laid her on the bed, stroking a long strand of her dark, gorgeous hair away from her face so that he’d imprint the openness of her love onto his brain, his retinas, and never again doubt in their feelings for one another.

Not even the bitchy remark he’d overheard Colleen say to Layla could dampen his mood. Layla wasn’t a gold digger. Not even close.

True love was tough to find and impossible to forget. If he somehow lost Layla, he’d never wish for another soulmate. She was his one and only...his everything.

If only he’d accepted that from the moment he’d hired her against his better judgement.

He bent and kissed her, a tender exploration of lips and tongue, while they each undressed the other with slow deliberation. When he was naked and she was laid bare beneath him, her breasts quivering, and her beautiful pussy glistening, he couldn’t have stopped from pushing into her sweet channel even if he’d tried.

Heaven was just a heartbeat away.

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