Restoring Romance (Welcome to Romance 1)

“Relax. Turns out they were friends at the shelter. Believe it or not, all that barking and screeching is a game. Last time I looked, they were curled up together in a sunny spot, sound asleep.”

“I guess that proves opposites really do attract.”

“What’s your proof? Kujo and Lucky? Or you and me?”

“I would say ‘you and me’, but in some ways we’re more alike than different.”

“Hmmm...” Adam cocked his head to the side. “I don’t know. You’re proud, stubborn and argumentative—pretty much the opposite of me.” Her elbow nailed him, and he gave an exaggerated grunt. “Maybe we should add violent to that list.”

“I guess we can eliminate Funny as your middle name, so tell me what it is.”

“Adam Carlton Walker. Carlton was my uncle’s name—our uncle’s name.”

“Okay, it’s still kind of weird that we have the same uncle. Are you positive it’s legal for us to be together?”

“It is.” He waggled his eyebrows. “I checked to be sure.”

“Adam Carlton Walker, can I tell you a secret?”

“I can’t wait.” He grinned, flashing those sexy dimples that made her knees go weak.

“I hate black and pink.” She touched the paint on his face, “But it looks good on you.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Anything else I should know?”

At his question, her mouth went bone dry. “Adam, there’s so much I haven’t told you about me—so much you don’t know. I’m damaged.”

She tried to turn away, but he pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her, as unyielding as chains.

“There’s only one thing I need to know about you, Ash... You’re not damaged—you’re beautiful.” His hand came up and caressed her face, as soft as a feather. “You’re the flower that grows from a crack in a rock. You’re the candle that burns even brighter in the dark. You’re selfless and caring. You’re generous and kind. For the first time, in a long time, I know what I want, and what I want is you.”

“How can you be certain you’ll never change your mind?”

“Because you’ve helped me find something I lost... something that’s been missing... something that’s been gone so long, I can’t even remember having it before.”

“What’s that?”

His sultry dark chocolate eyes gazed deep into her soul.

“My smile.”

As if to prove his point, his lips curved into one that took her breath away. Then he kissed her so thoroughly her heart stopped beating. But she didn’t mind... Compared to love, living is highly overrated.