Under Pressure (Body Armor #1)(106)
“Oh, Leese.” Tears had her blinking fast. “It’s the most stunningly beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Again, as if only just then catching on, she said, “You’re having a room remodeled for me?”
“I want you to live with me.” It’d be a big move for her, but also a way for her to start over, away from the memories of what she’d been through. “What do you think?”
“I’d like that very much.” She continued to study the ring, a small smile teasing over her lips. “I’m sure my job is gone by now, and after knowing people were in my house, that they’d planted bugs to spy on me...” She shuddered. “I don’t ever want to live there again.”
He understood that. Her stepfather claimed he wasn’t the one to plant the bug, but he was the one who’d kept up the house for Catalina, and to fend off curiosity.
“It’s okay,” she said, smoothing a finger over his frown. “I’m okay. I promise.”
She would be, Leese vowed. He’d make it so. He’d fill her life with so much happiness and love, it’d help to drive away the dark memories. “What kind of puppy do you want?”
She let out a big sigh. “Would you mind if we got a more mature dog? Everyone wants a puppy, but the older dogs get overlooked. I like the idea of two.”
Could she be more special? He didn’t think so. Meaning it, he promised, “Whatever you want, honey.”
She curved her hands over his shoulders, then lifted her fingers to again admire her ring. “I want you.”
Leese groaned in physical regret. “We have to leave soon if we’re going to make it to Cannon’s house on time. All the guys will be there, the wives and babies too. Everyone is anxious to visit with you.”
She bit her lip, then nodded. “They’re like your family, aren’t they?”
“More so than my real family ever was. You’ll like everyone, I promise. And the babies are cute as hell.”
“Cannon and Armie each have kids?”
He nodded, smiling when he thought of the little ones. “Armie has a son, and Cannon has twins, one boy and one girl.”
“I can’t wait to see them.” Cat drew a hand down over his chest. “We’re going to visit my family afterward, right?”
By the second, it got harder to think about leaving the bed. “Yes.” He’d met Webb a few times now. The man was formal, quietly caring and wary. He and Cat were slowly reconciling. A private dinner at Webb Nicholson’s home would give them a chance to get more comfortable, and a chance for Leese to meet her brothers.
“We’re going to have a busy day,” Cat said. “But tonight...tonight you’re all mine.”
Leese loved the sound of that. “Tonight, tomorrow and for the rest of our lives.”
*
Look for Justice’s story, HARD JUSTICE, coming soon from Lori Foster and HQN Books!
Meanwhile, read on for BUILT FOR LOVE, a bonus novella in print for the first time!
Built for Love
Dear Reader
Those of you who read my stories “Love Unleashed” (in the Love Bites anthology) and “Love Won’t Wait” (in the Turn Up the Heat anthology) have been waiting patiently for Jesse Baker, best friend of brothers Evan and Brendan “Brick” Carlisle, to get a story of his own. After all, the hot contractor is the perfect blend of honorable and charming, despite his bad-boy rep. I’m so pleased that the wait is over and that Jesse’s story, “Built for Love,” is available now.
You might recall that Jesse was first introduced to sexy Realtor Tonya Bloom in “Love Won’t Wait”—but though their chemistry ignited from the start, Tonya had just become the guardian of her orphaned twelve-year-old nephew, Kevin...not exactly the best time to fall in love. In “Built for Love,” Tonya is struggling to help Kevin feel safe and secure in his new home—and while she sees Jesse as a distraction she can’t afford, Jesse’s determined to prove to her that he wants forever. With a little help from some old friends and a pregnant cat aptly named Love, can Jesse convince Tonya that some loves are built to last?
I hope you enjoy Jesse and Tonya’s story. Don’t worry if you haven’t yet read Evan’s and Brick’s stories, as each novella was written to stand alone.
Happy reading!
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
EXCERPT FROM DON’T TEMPT ME BY LORI FOSTER
CHAPTER ONE
BACK WHEN HE’D been twelve years old, Jesse Baker had lived the cushy life. He’d played most sports, even excelled at a few. His dad helped coach and always encouraged him. His mom coddled, set boundaries and loved unconditionally.