querida. Don’t cave now. Tell me the real reason you’re here.”
She didn’t answer, only stared at him with the same damn fear he’d been fighting the past three weeks.
“It’s a gamble, isn’t it?” he asked quietly.
Still silent.
“Kinda like taking a chance on a thief.”
When her eyes softened, he knew he had her.
“There’s only one thief I want to take a chance on. I…” She closed her eyes. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this.” She blew out a long breath. “Oh, hell. I love you, Rafe.”
His heart swelled, and he smiled. He knew she was waiting for him to say it back, but he couldn’t. Not until she opened her eyes and looked at him.
Those shimmering emeralds finally popped open, and he didn’t miss the quick flash of anger at his silence. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”
Before she could step away, he wrapped his arms around her waist, lifted her off the floor and dropped her on the bed.
“Let me go.”
“Not on your life, querida. I think you’re stuck with me.”
“Real funny. I changed my mind.”
He chuckled and eased down to kiss her. Her lips were soft and supple and every bit as tantalizing as he remembered.
Her temper faded. “I’m still waiting, Sullivan.”
And he’d been waiting for her. His whole life. He just hadn’t known it. “Why don’t you reach into my pocket and feel how much I love you?”
She braced her hands against his biceps and squirmed underneath him. “I can already feel your love poking into my hip, Slick.”
God, she had a mouth on her. One he’d missed way too much. “That wasn’t what I meant.” When she laughed, he reached in his pocket himself and pulled out the ring.
Her smartass smile faded, and she looked from the emerald in his hand to his face and back again with wide eyes. “What’s that?”
A hint of worry snaked through him. “I know diamonds are traditional, but you and I haven’t done anything in the traditional sense. And, well, this one reminded me of your eyes. If you want a diamond instead, I can—”
“No,” she said quickly. “It’s beautiful. I just…” She looked back at his face with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. “A diamond?”
He smiled slowly, reading her mind. “Yeah, that’s usually what you give the woman you love when you ask her to marry you.”
Her eyes grew even wider. “M-Marry her?”
He chuckled at her stunned reaction. “Where did you think I was headed? I was on my way to San Francisco to hunt you down.”
“I…Oh…”
Speechless. Again. It tickled every part of him.
“A year’s not gonna do it for me, Lisa. I figure fifty, maybe. Probably longer, since I plan on chasing you all through my golden years. There’s no one else in the world I’d rather spend my life with. What do you say? Marry me?”
A single tear slid down her cheek, and she shook her head. “A treasure hunter and a thief. What will people think?”
His smile widened. “That we were made for each other.”
She looked deep into his eyes and ran her hand over his cheek. Her touch sent warmth to every nerve in his body.
“Make me believe it, Rafe.”
“Always.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing a book is never a solitary endeavor. With heartfelt thanks to my agent, Laura Bradford, who never gave up believing in this story; my fabulous editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, who challenges me to be a better writer; and the entire team at Dorchester for their tireless work.
Special thanks also to my critique partners—Joan Swan, Lisa Catto, Becky Hakes and Linda Winfree…girls, this book would not be here without you. Saying thank you for all your tireless work just isn’t enough. To Rey Quiles and Jared Romey for their Puerto Rican Spanish translations. To my beta readers—Tonia and Rita…what would I do without you?…and Connie…lava flows in Hawaii again to celebrate, or would once more be too much? Also big thanks to Alice Sharpe, who always manages to talk me down off the ledge, and the fabulous writers with the Mid-Willamette Valley RWA chapter who have been my foundation for so long. You ladies rock.
And finally, to my family…especially my mother, for her unfailing encouragement; my kids, for hardly ever complaining about the hours I’m glued to my laptop; and my husband, who showers me with unending support. I love you all.
Copyright
LOVE SPELL®
January 2009
Published by
Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Copyright © 2009 by Elisabeth Naughton
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E-ISBN: 978-1-4285-0595-7
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