LITMIR.BIZ

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wanted to kiss her.

      Right here. Right now.

      Forget the fourteen years that separated them, forget the way she’d destroyed his dreams, forget all he’d accomplished in order to prove to everyone, to her, that there was more to Bobby Winslow than they’d ever known.

      He pulled in a deep breath, bringing with it the clean, biting scent of the forest of trees surrounding them, the warm sun and the woman standing next to him.

      A powerful need filled him, a need to hold her in his arms, to feel the tightly toned body he’d gotten a glimpse of earlier before she’d hid it beneath her jacket.

      “Oh, Bobby.”

      Her words came out in a reverent whisper and he had to grip the cane with two hands to stop himself from acting on an impulse he was sure was only one-sided.

      “I can’t even put it into words … I can’t describe …”

      She turned to him, having to tip her head back as he stood so close. Now he could see her eyes. They widened, the hazel coloring that always looked more golden than green flashing at him as their gazes locked and held.

      What did she see when she looked at him?

      The rebellious punk he’d been as a kid, always breaking the rules, with a white-hot temper his mother said came from his wayward father?

      Or did she see the successful businessman he’d become?

      A man who’d left the army after serving honorably for four years and then worked his way up through the ranks to become one of the best drivers in the America’s Cup Pro Racing circuit. A spokesperson that promoted more products than Jeff Gordon and Shaquille O’Neal and appeared in more print ads and commercials than all the Kardashian sisters combined.

      A man who accomplished all he’d vowed to do.

      “Yes, it is beautiful … and mine. Finally, I’m allowed inside. And unlike the way your parents treated me, you’re welcome in my home anytime.”

      Chapter Four

      Bobby expected his declaration to bring a flash of anger to Leeann’s eyes. Instead sadness and regret reflected in those green-golden depths, a testament to how she knew the way her parents had treated him was unjust.

      Warm breath rushed from between her lips and brushed over his. His gaze lowered to her mouth and he dipped his head.

      Leeann blinked and scurried backward until she bumped into the front tire of the cart.

      She grabbed on to the vehicle’s metal framework to steady herself, looking around at his house, the surrounding trees, the driveway with its stone sculpture surrounded by flowers in the center.

      Anywhere but on him.

      And wasn’t that a kick in the gut.

      But a well-needed one.

      Getting caught up in the past—their past—was the last thing he needed right now. Just because they’d managed to be civil to each other for the past thirty minutes didn’t mean either of them wanted—

      Ah, hell, he wanted and she obviously didn’t.

      Bobby straightened and moved toward his house. Legs stiff from standing too long in one spot, he stumbled, but caught himself with the cane, hoping he kept it from being noticeable.

      Thankfully, he felt no tremors as he stepped onto the covered porch bracketed by two columns of stacked river rocks on either end. He pushed open one side of the heavy double entrance doors before facing her. “After you.”

      She stared at him for a moment, and he wondered if she was going to turn and run, literally. Then she dropped her shoulders and angled her head just a touch off center, a move so familiar from their childhood whenever anyone challenged her, he had to bite back a grin.

      Walking—gliding—onto the porch, she moved past him with the grace that spoke of her years on pageant stages and modeling runways.

      “This is the foyer, obviously,” Bobby said, closing the door behind him. “And straight ahead is the great room.”

      Leeann paused in front of the two-sided wood-burning fireplace on a raised hearth that served as a divider between the two areas. He wished he’d thought to hit the auto ignition switch for the fireplace when he’d first opened the door so she could get the full effect.

      He stood next to her, but she scooted away and walked into the room. Following her, he watched as she took in the custom-designed leather furniture, rustic wrought-iron tables and priceless artwork scattered around the room before she looked upward.

      “The vaulted ceilings are over twenty feet high and those are hammered beam trusses,” he said. “They start back at the entry and run the entire length of the room and out onto the deck.”

      “Well, when you said impressive, you meant it. Looks like it came right out of Luxury Homes of the Rich and Famous.”

      Zip had pretty much said the same thing this morning. So why did it bother him more coming from Leeann? “I wasn’t about to move into an empty space. Having my home ready when I got here was important—”

      He was interrupted by barking that started in the distance but quickly grew in volume. The sounds of doggy nails on the hardwood floors announced Daisy’s arrival. She skidded to a stop at Bobby’s feet, catching him at mid-calf with her forehead.

      Ah, damn! Bobby gripped the cane with two hands and locked his knees. “Thanks a lot, Daiz.”

      “Come back here, you crazy mutt,” Zip called out, rounding the corner that led from the kitchen and adjoining family room. “It’s just Ace, and it’s about time. I was getting worried. Hey! If it isn’t my favorite cop.”

      Leeann offered an easy grin. “And just how many cops do you know, Mr. Zippenella?”

      Zip offered one of his lady-killer smiles. Bobby wanted to cross the room and give the guy a quick cuff to the back of his head.

      “Not counting two of my sisters, three uncles and my pop?” Zip spoke over the dog’s continued barking. “And what’s with this mister stuff? Call me Dean—okay, Daisy, knock it off!”

      She left Bobby’s side, making a beeline for her master, but continued with a vocal assault directed at Leeann so strong it had the dog’s hind legs kicking up off the ground.

      “Oh, I’m not going to hurt you,” Leeann cooed, dropping to a crouch and holding out her hand toward Daisy. “Come here, come say hi.”

      “Whoa, you shouldn’t—”

      “Lee, don’t.” Bobby’s command overrode Zip’s as he hurried across the room.

      She slowly withdrew her fingers and looked up at him, then to Zip and back to him. “What—why?”

      “Daisy doesn’t like females.” Zip snapped his fingers to get his dog’s attention. She finally obeyed and sat at his side, low growls vibrating deep in her throat, her shaggy coat standing on end in a straight line down her back.

      “Really?” Leeann rose. “How come?”

      “We don’t know.” Bobby stepped closer, moving in front of his best friend. “She’s been that way ever since Zip found her.”

      “Let me get her out of here or she’ll never stop.” With one hand scooped under her belly, Zip easily picked up the dog and headed for one of the matching glass doors that led to the covered deck. “Daisy’s still got lots of moxie for an old broad.”

      “Oh, no, please don’t tie her up because of me.”

      “He’s just going to put her outside,” Bobby said.

      “But she might run off.”

      “Naw, she’s only gone out as far

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