“Tell you what—how about I make this easy,” he said. “I’ll ask you a question, and if you get it right, then we’ll have dinner tonight. How does that sound?”
Audrey pressed her palms to her cheeks. “Are you serious?”
“Always.”
“Ask me.” Her voice was but a mere whisper. Hope danced inside her like pixies, spinning and twirling and churning all her feelings up into one tornado of emotion.
“How many feet can a llama spit?” His sexy grin brought a sparkle to his eyes, his hands already reaching for hers. “I’ll give you a moment to do the calculations.”
Audrey laughed, one fat tear finally plopping down onto her cheek. “You’re giving me a free pass?”
“I couldn’t take a chance, Audrey. Not with something this big. Not with you.” He pulled her closer, brushing her long braid over her shoulder and running his thumb along her jaw. “So what’s your answer, huh?”
“Fifteen feet,” she said, laughing. “And they have really good aim.”
Ronan lowered his head to hers, capturing her mouth in a tentative kiss. But there was no need for him to go slow, no need for him to wait and see. Audrey rose up on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, arching her body into his.
The entirety of Kisspresso Café erupted in a cheer, and Audrey was pretty sure someone’s phone camera flashed. But she didn’t care. Couldn’t care.
The only thing that mattered was that she was exactly where she was supposed to be—in Ronan’s arms. When he pulled back, his eyes were dark and inviting, hinting that dinner might have to wait for other types of reunions.
“Does this mean he’s not buying all the muffins?” a young girl asked. “Because I really want one.”
Audrey laughed and covered her mouth, eyes bright and watery. Ronan grinned and motioned to Lana behind the counter. “Whatever she wants, it’s on me. That goes for everyone in here.”
“Are you really doing this?” Audrey asked. “Giving up your career for me?”
“My career will be different. But I’m still going to finish this book and see what happens. I’m still passionate about my work, and I’ll have to travel from time to time, but if I’m telling you that you can have it all, then it seems mighty hypocritical for me not to do the same.” A slow, sensual grin curved his lips. “The thought of having a home base, coming home to you every day, dragging you to bed every night, waking up to you every morning…I can’t get it out of my head.”
“Me neither,” she whispered. “But my family—”
“We’ll make it work. Whatever it is, Audrey, we’ll make it work. You want to find a house big enough for both of us and Deanna and the twins? Fine. You want me to cook dinner every night? Can do. You want me to worship you every second of every single day? I’ll start right now.”
His arms tightened around her as he brought his lips down to hers again. Energy crackled around them, and Audrey was sure there were fireworks behind her eyelids as they shuttered closed. Ronan’s kiss was soft and deep, and it hinted at more. So much more.
His tongue danced with hers, coaxing her to open to him. To melt into him. To be his, wholly and completely.
“I will do whatever it takes,” he said, trailing his lips along her neck. “I can’t watch you walk away twice.”
“You have no idea what you’re promising,” she said, shaking her head. “Offering to house three teenagers is not for the weak of heart.”
“Good thing my heart’s a lot stronger than I ever gave it credit for.”
“I love you, too.” The words burst out of her as she looked up at him, arms around his neck and body lining his. “I’m so glad you walked into the café that first day.”
“Are you glad you called me a sex robot?” he teased. “And accused me of being a heartless thief preying on small business owners?”
“Absolutely.” Her tone was 100 percent sincere. “I take my job very seriously, Professor Sex Robot.”
Who would have known that the future could be so bright and shining and full of good things? She’d cleared the dark shadows from her mind, brushing them away by speaking up for herself and facing her fears. By forging the kind of life she truly deserved.
And right now, with love in her heart and a sexy, perfect man promising to worship her every day, Audrey’s future was more exciting than ever.