“I should have told you about the blackmail after we made love that first time. I knew then that I was falling for you, but I didn’t know how to trust my feelings and then there was that stupid bet.” She shook her head.
“You weren’t the only one struggling. I lost interest in your land after the tornado tore through Royal. I only agreed to the wager to spend time with you. All along I’d planned to lose.”
She stared at him, an incredulous expression spreading across her features. “Then why did you work so hard to win?”
“Are you kidding?” He chuckled. “The bet was for you to fall for me. That was the real prize.”
“I love you.” Brandee set her cheek against his chest and hugged him tight. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m really glad Maverick blackmailed me. If it hadn’t happened, I never would’ve invited you to move in.”
Shane growled. “I’ll buy Maverick a drink and then knock his lights out.”
“We don’t know who he or she is.”
“I asked Gabe to investigate. He’ll figure out who Maverick is.” Shane scooped Brandee off her feet and headed for the master suite. “In the meantime, I’d like to see how you look in my bed.”
Brandee laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m sure not much different than I looked in mine.”
There she was wrong. As he stripped off her lacy top and snug jeans, the shadows he’d often glimpsed in her eyes were gone. All he could see was the clear light of love shining for him. There was no more need for either of them to hide. This was the first step toward a new partnership. In love and in life.
With her glorious blond hair fanned across his pillow and her blue-gray eyes devouring his body while he peeled off his clothes, Shane decided she was the most incredible woman he’d ever known.
He set his knee on the bed and leaned forward to frame her cheek with his fingers. His thumb drifted over her full lower lip. “You’re looking particularly gorgeous today.”
She placed her hand over his and turned to drop a kiss in his palm. With her free hand, she reached up to draw him down to her. “You’re not looking so bad yourself, Delgado.”
And when their lips met, both were smiling.
* * * * *