trying to resist the urge to unbutton his coat. “For what?”
“For our wedding, of course.”
She gasped, his words dispelling her sensual haze, somewhat. “You want to get married tomorrow? That’s impossible!”
His jaw tightened in that stubborn way she knew so well. “Why?”
A choked laugh escaped her. “I have to buy a dress, I have to give Martina time to find a new roommate, I have to get time off work—”
“I’ll pay the rent for Martina and you can quit your job.” His eyes dark and sensuous, he whispered, “I can’t wait much longer, Ellie.”
A shiver coursed through her. Of course, she wasn’t going to quit her job or let him pay her rent. But the truth of the matter was, she didn’t want to wait either. “Give me a week.”
For a moment, she thought he was going to refuse. But then he said, “You’ve got your week—but I warn you—” his eyes gleamed “—I’m kidnapping you after that.”
She laughed. “A week doesn’t give me much time. I’m really going to have to cancel our date tomorrow.”
“If you insist. But you’ll have to make up for it now.”
He kissed her—extremely thoroughly—until they were both breathing hard.
“Maybe it’s better that I don’t see you this week,” he said huskily, resting his forehead against hers. “I can’t take too much of this.”
“Do we really have to wait?” she asked, still breathless. “Why don’t you come inside?”
“Ellie…” He leaned back, his hand cupping the curve of her cheek, his gaze dark and serious. “For once in my life, I want to do the right thing. I’m going to marry you first.”
She would have laughed at the grim determination in his voice if her throat wasn’t suddenly so impossibly tight. “Oh, Garek,” she whispered, blinking back foolish, happy tears.
He groaned. “Don’t look at me like that, or I won’t be able to help myself.” He kissed her hard, then again, more slowly. “I can’t go a whole week without seeing you. We can at least have lunch together. Monday. Come to my office around noon?”
She nodded. With one final kiss, he released her and thrust his hands into his pockets, as if to prevent himself from reaching out for her again. She went inside and closed the door, but couldn’t resist running to the window to watch him go. He strode down the stairs to the sidewalk, looking tall and strong and handsome.
She hugged her arms around herself. She couldn’t believe this was happening.
She supposed she shouldn’t have said yes so quickly. After all her doubts, after all their differences, she should have at least asked for some time to think it over.
But she hadn’t been able to think. She’d been too surprised and too happy—too deliriously, ecstatically happy. She loved him. And he loved her.
She believed that with all her heart.
Whistling, Garek entered his office late Monday morning. Larry and Mrs. Grist were already there.
Garek smiled. “Good morning, Mrs. Grist, Larry,” he said cheerfully.
Mrs. Grist responded civilly, but Larry only stared at him in astonishment.
“Mrs. Grist,” Garek continued, ignoring Larry’s silence, “would you please clear all appointments for two weeks—no, make that a month—starting next week. I will not be available.”
Now Mrs. Grist looked startled. “But what about the meeting with the Lachland lawyers? They want to go over the independent auditor’s report in detail. Most of the auditor’s points are perfectly ridiculous, but the lawyers have a lot of questions—”
“Reschedule the meeting for this week,” Garek said. “If they can’t make it, suggest a teleconference.”
Larry frowned. “What’s happened?”
Garek looked at the two anxious faces before him. “Nothing,” he said. “Except that Ellie and I are getting married.”
An exclamation escaped Mrs. Grist. She beamed like a hundred lightbulbs. “Well, it’s about time! Congratulations, Mr. Wisnewski. She’s a fine young woman, and I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.”
Garek smiled back. “Thank you, Mrs. Grist.” He glanced at Larry.
Larry, in contrast to Mrs. Grist, did not look at all pleased by Garek’s news. In fact, he looked downright worried.
Garek arched an eyebrow. “Something wrong, Larry?”
“What? Oh, uh, no. Congratulations,” Larry said hurriedly. “Uh, could I see you in your office?”
“Certainly.” To Mrs. Grist, Garek said, “Ellie is coming to meet me for lunch. Have her come up immediately when she arrives.”
In his office, Garek sat at his desk and looked at Larry’s concerned face. “Yes?”
Larry hesitated a moment, then launched into speech. “This girl, Eleanor Hernandez—do you know anything about her finances?”
Garek arched a brow. “I haven’t looked at her bank statement, no.”