A Deep and Dark December(95)
“I think that’s quite possible, depending on how strong it is.”
“What about one as strong as this one?”
She glanced up as another flash of light streaked the sky. “One-Mississippi, two-Miss—” Thunder roared.
*
Graham’s heart beat nearly as loud as the thunder. “It’s almost on top of us.”
She nodded, her face sliding through his fingers, wet from the rain and her tears.
“I’m not leaving until it’s right on top of us,” he promised.
“Me either.”
“We can keep counting as it moves on, track its progress.”
“I don’t think I can stay here that long.”
“No?”
She shook her head. “I don’t need to. I’ll believe you when you tell me the worst is over.”
Relief washed through him. “I can do that.”
The sky blazed bright, illuminating them for a split second.
“One-Miss,” they whispered together.
BOOM.
“It’s here,” she breathed.
Bringing her face to his chest, needing that full body connection, he held her tighter. “I’ve got you.”
The rain came down at them sideways, pelting them with heavy drops. All around them, a wall of sound and sensation made it seem as if they were the last two people on earth.
“And I’ve got you.” She gripped his back and held on just as tight.
The thunderstorm raged as though it had gained new strength and purpose. The sea seemed to try to raise itself to meet it, the waves more violent than they’d been before. But for Graham there was only the two of them in this place that had been so many things to them—where they’d first come together, where they’d nearly lost each other, and now where they’d finally found each other again.
He slowly came to notice that the rain had let up. In the distance the thunder rumbled, signaling the all clear. He dared to pull away a little to look down at her. He couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that she was finally here in his arms again.
*
Erin blinked up at him, needing to be sure she wasn’t seeing things in the rain. It was gone, that heavy lidded look of remorse he’d had. She couldn’t help the joy that coursed through her. He’d finally come back to her, finally forgiven himself and cut loose the weighty ties of grief and guilt.
“I love you,” she blurted out.
He stilled. Even his breathing seemed to be suspended as he stared at her through the darkness.
“It’s okay, Graham. You don’t have to say or do anything. I just wanted you to know.”
“Why?” he whispered with a faint note of disbelief.
“I don’t know. I just do. I mean, how do you explain—”
He put a finger to her lips, silencing her. “I don’t care why.”
She pulled his hand away, annoyed. “Then why did you ask?”
“Because I can’t imagine why you would.” He kissed her hard and quick. “But I really don’t care why. I’m just so damn grateful.”
“Okay.” Not the response she’d expected. At least he hadn’t thanked her.
“Thank you.”
Fantastic. “You’re welcome… I guess.” This wasn’t going quite as she’d thought it would.
“No. That’s not what I…I mean…” He put his forehead to hers. “Thank god you love me too.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you.”
He laughed. “You’re welcome.”
“Now what?”
“Now I take you home and show you just how much I love every single inch of you.”
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Excerpt from Rush
Pleasure at Home Book 1
CHAPTER ONE
Miyuki Price-Jones held up the shocking pink Multiple O vibrator, flipped the switch and… nothing. No reversible rotating head, no quivering bunny ears and no massaging beads. For the third time this week she’d turned on a toy only to end up frustrated.
“Davy!” Crosby yelled from somewhere in the darkened television studio.
The young man in the corner jumped, then shuffled over to the man sitting in a faded director’s chair. “Yes, Mr. Crosby?”
“Your job is simple. Put the batteries in the toys, test them to make sure they work and don’t give me a reason to kick your ass all the way to Tuscaloosa!” Rob Crosby, the director of the adult home shopping show, Pleasure at Home, pinched the bridge of his nose.
All Miyuki, or Mi, could see was the top of Crosby’s balding head, but she could tell he’d had it with Davy. He was going to fire him even though none of this was his fault. It was sabotage… again. She set the Multiple O vibrator down on the faux walnut coffee table next to the other sex toys she would be showcasing today and stood to get Crosby’s attention. “I’m sure it’s not Davy’s fault. Maybe we got a bad batch of batteries. Or—”