“Rose.” His voice was a warning.
“All right. All right.” Rose lowered the printed message, holding out her hand, palm up. “The gist of it is...you won. The city will decline Public Pawn’s request to locate one of its stores in the shelter’s neighborhood.”
“Are you serious?” Donovan stilled. His smile was uncertain.
“Of course I’m serious.” Rose crossed to him, handing over the sheet of paper. “I wouldn’t joke about something like this.”
Donovan read the email himself. A sexy grin curved his full lips and showcased his perfect white teeth. “I can’t believe it.”
“What do you mean, you can’t believe it?” She playfully punched his shoulder. “I can believe it. Our argument was sound and reasoned, so of course, we would prevail. Heroes always do.”
Donovan’s beautiful hazel eyes were bright with joy. It vibrated from him in waves. “If I’m a hero, then so are you. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Yes, you could have. You just would’ve had to come out of pocket for the billable hours.”
Donovan threw back his head and laughed, making Rose’s toes curl in her sensible black pumps. “This is fantastic. We have to celebrate.” He crossed the room with long restless strides.
“We can start by calling Cecil Lowell.” Rose turned, keeping track of Donovan.
“Cecil?” Donovan paused, frowning at her. “Why would we call him?”
“He didn’t think we’d win.”
“I think he didn’t want us to win.” A smile chased away Donovan’s confusion. “But that’s all right. Everyone’s entitled to his—or her—opinion.”
An impressive reaction. “You’re a good person, Van. Most people would want to rub this victory in Cecil’s face.”
“Is that what you’d do?”
“Maybe.” Rose shrugged. “Probably.”
Donovan chuckled again, causing the muscles in her lower abdomen to shimmy and shiver. “I need to let the subcommittee, then the board know.”
“I’ll forward the email to you.” Rose crossed to him. “Then you can forward it to them. When the letter arrives in the mail, I’ll keep a copy, then give the original to you.”
“Thank you.” Donovan still sounded dazed.
“Congratulations.”
“To both of us.” Donovan pulled her into his arms.
What he’d intended to be a friendly, congratulatory gesture soon heated into something more. His body was so hot and hard against hers, and his scent was an aphrodisiac.
* * *
Donovan’s head was spinning. He loosened his embrace on Rose and looked down into her chocolate eyes. He read confusion and desire in them.
“Rose.” He heard the yearning in his whisper.
Her eyes continued to search his face. He didn’t know what she was looking for. If he did, he’d give it to her. Anything. Everything. He wanted her that much. But not just for her body, as sexy and desirable as she was. He also was attracted to her heart. It was big enough to share. Her mind was quick and curious, and her laughter gave him a hard-on. He also liked the way she saw him. She thought he was a hero and that made him want to be one.
Donovan lowered his head to kiss her. His movement was slow and deliberate, giving Rose plenty of time to reject him, if that’s what she wanted to do. He prayed that she didn’t. He needed to hold her. Wanted to kiss her. Burned to love her. It was August 20, only four weeks until the reunion. He was running out of time to persuade her to turn their make-believe relationship into their own fairy-tale romance.
“Rose,” he whispered again, right before his lips touched hers.
Heat rushed through his veins. She tasted so sweet. Felt so soft. Smelled so good. Donovan pressed his mouth to hers. He stroked his tongue across the seam of her mouth. Rose’s lips parted, letting him in. He slid his tongue inside, stroking her here, caressing her there. Rose moaned into his mouth. Donovan tightened his embrace. She pressed her body against him and deepened their kiss.
Is she letting me know that she wants me, too? Please, God, let it be yes.