The Thorndykes 1: Dispossessed (27 page)

He gazed at her for a long time without speaking, his dark eyes unreadable, his mind in turmoil. He wasn’t letting her see the decision he made until he blinked long and slow, and then “I can’t do it. I can’t send you away again.”

“Why did you do it, my love?”

His eyes took on a suspicious sheen, but no tears fell. “Because I’m not good enough for you. No, listen. You deserve better. Truly, you do. You’re young and right at the start of your life. We live for a long time, sweetheart.”

“I don’t want to live without you. I won’t. But I thought you’d say that, so I have an alternative. I’ve arranged my own new life. I met someone who made me an offer.”

He frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“My mother.” She laughed at his shocked response, his eyes widening. “Trixie offered me a spot in her movies. Mother-daughter action, she said.”

He stared at her. “Trixie wouldn’t do that,” he said blankly.

“Yes, she would. I have a text from her to prove it. If I don’t get what I want here, my new life will be in New York making porn movies with my mother. If I need the experience like you say, then that’s the fastest way to get it, don’t you think?”

He groaned and buried his face in her neck. “You can’t.”

“Yes, I can,” she said smugly. “Try me.”

He choked. “Fuck, you know how to make a man suffer.” He lifted his head. “I surrender,” he said. “I know you, and you would do it, wouldn’t you?” This time his smile was more relaxed as he accepted her ultimatum. “We’ve made our decision, haven’t we? Let’s get married first. I’d like to do that. Would you?”

“Is that a proposal?”

“You bet your ass.” He gave her rear a slap, just enough to tingle, and he swung himself up on one elbow. She rolled on her back and reached her arms up to grasp his waist. “You like that? Oh, sweetheart, we have a way to go. Tomorrow I’ll buy you the biggest diamond in Houston.”

“I don’t want that. I want the most perfect one. That’s what we have. Perfection.”

He laughed. “Far from it, my love, but a lot of the fun is working for it.” He bent over her to give her a long sweet kiss, the most perfect kiss they’d shared to date. But they had many kisses in their future. She’d make sure of it.

Loose Id Titles by Lynne Connolly

The DEPARTMENT 57 Series

Cat’s Eyes

Topaz Delirium

Chemistry of Evil

Crystal Captive

Crystal Tides

Jewel of the Dragon

* * * *

The SYMBIOTICS Series

Texas Heat

Stripped Bare

Unlaced

Brutally Beautiful

Sixth Sense

* * * *

THE THORNDYKE TRILOGY

Dispossessed

Lynne Connolly

Lynne Connolly lives in England with her family and her mews, a cat called Jack. She spends her time writing and filling her collection of doll’s houses. After acceptance by her first e-publisher she hasn’t looked back. She has over 30 books out, and plans for more. She writes in the paranormal romance, contemporary romance, and historical romance genres and she likes to add a lot of steam!

Go to
http://lynneconnolly.com
to read up on the latest news about Lynne.