Meddling with a Millionaire (Case Brothers 1)

She wanted him more than ever and wasn’t afraid to let him know.

Nathan broke off the kiss and swept his lips toward her ear. “Sweet, sweet woman. I adore you.”

His confession sparked a tremor inside her. She pushed him to arm’s length. “Say that again,” she demanded, thinking she’d misheard him.

“I love you,” he said, his smile softer than she’d ever seen it. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize it sooner than I did.”

She’d grown accustomed to his imposing will and powerful personality. But it was the tender expression on his face at that moment that made hope surge in her.

He loved her.

“But you said you didn’t believe in love.” The devilish quirk that weakened her knees returned.

“I believe in it. I just didn’t want it in my life. With the exception of your brother and Jaime, everyone I’ve ever known has cheated on their spouse or been cheated on. After I moved in with my father’s family, I watched my stepmother’s love for him destroy her a little more each year. I was afraid to let that happen to me.”

> Emma recalled her own worries about how loving Nathan and keeping it to herself would eat at her. “What changed your mind?”

“You did. I couldn’t understand how you could put such faith in love when you’d seen how miserable it made your parents. Then, yesterday, after finding out that you were pregnant, after you walked away, and today, seeing Cody and Jaime with Evan, I realized that having you in my life, in my bed, wasn’t going to be enough unless I was in your heart and you were in mine. I love you.”

“You do love me.” Her voice trembled with awe.

“More than I ever thought it was possible.”

He swept his lips across her eyes and down her nose. His hands slid over her curves, gentle, measuring caresses that awakened her to the quiet house and the lock on the study door. Desire rushed through her, sweeter than ever now that she knew Nathan loved her.

She eased her hands down the front of his shirt, loosening buttons as she went. Two weeks without him had been too long. She couldn’t wait to get him naked and reacquaint herself with all those lovely rippling muscles.

“You know,” she said, “I think my father is right after all. I do need someone to take care of me.”

Nathan waited until she’d tugged the shirt down his arms and tossed it aside before he asked, “Got anyone in mind?”

“There was this really hot guy I met when I was a teenager.” Enjoying the way her touch disturbed the cadence of his breath, she trailed her fingers down his chest and abdomen until she ran out of naked skin. “I wonder what ever happened to him.”

When Emma started to unfasten his belt, Nathan caught her fingers and lifted them to his lips. “I think he finally figured out what’s been missing in his life.”

Soaking up the love and sincerity she saw in his eyes, Emma knew she’d found her happily-ever-after at last.

“And what’s that?” she whispered.

Nathan’s lips dipped toward hers. “You.”