Imperfect Love (Heart of Hope 4)

My jaw dropped again. “You're quitting?” As it turned out, I’d gotten that part right. “Why? Is it Lyle?”

“It’s because I don’t want us to be a secret anymore for one. And two, yes, Douche McLean is a factor.”

I studied him, wondering what he had planned. He wasn’t impulsive so he must have something else lined up. “You’re not one to quit without a backup.”

“You know me so well. See, we’re going to live happily ever after.” He licked his cone to keep his ice cream from dripping.

Mine was starting to melt too, so I licked the soft, cold confection.

His gaze tracked my movement. “Later, will you do that to my dick?”

“Can I put ice cream on it?”

He shivered. “Maybe.”

“Tell me your plans,” I said wanting to know what the man I planned to spend the rest of my life with had up his sleeve.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He unfolded it and handed it to me.

I studied it and then looked at him. “It’s a business license.”

He nodded. “When Douche McLean stole my idea six months ago, I knew I needed out. The fact that he took my idea told me I had the goods, so I started by doing a little freelancing and then set up an official business.”

“That violates your contract.”

He lifted a brow. “And sleeping with you violates it too.”

Oh, right. “Six months? You started this six months ago?”

He nodded. “It solved two problems for me.”

“Oh?”

“One, getting away from Douche McLean, but more importantly, being able to be with you without worrying you’d lose your job.”

I looked down at the paper again. “When did you have time?”

“All those nights I was working. A few weekends.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I turned to him again. I wasn’t hurt per se, but I was a bit bothered that he kept something so important a secret.

He shrugged. “Maybe it wouldn’t work out. Eventually, I wanted to surprise you. Surprise!”

I laughed. “I am surprised. I thought you were about to break up with me.”

His smile dropped. “Fuck no. Jesus…I love you Terra. I want to spend my life with you.”

“I’m so relieved because I don’t think I’d ever recover if you left me.” It had been shocking how quickly he’d become important to me.

He gave me that lopsided grin again. “So, you love me too?”

“So much. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone.” It was true. He was the first man, the only man, I’d ever completely opened up with, and let myself be vulnerable to.

He kissed me, and I loved the coolness of the sweet ice cream mixed with his hot mouth.

“So, now you’re your own business-man?”

“Yep.” He pulled out another piece of paper. “Just so you know you’re not marrying a bum.”