She nodded.
“Like us.”
She started to nod but caught herself in time. Instead, she gave him the side-eye. He shrugged.
“Can’t blame me for trying to get you to agree.”
“I don’t disagree.”
Matt’s car came into view and the valet pulled it to the curb in front of them. Matt opened the passenger door for Zaney as the valet held the driver’s door open and waited for him. After tipping the attendant, Matt slid behind the wheel.
“Your place or mine?”
“Funny.”
“Come on, Zaney, cut me a break. I was defending you.”
“I know. And you were also playing macho man.”
“I wasn’t. When I realized who he was, something came over me and I couldn’t walk out of there without talking to him. Man to man. I wanted him to know that I was one lucky sonofabitch because I knew his eldest daughter.” He shook his head and huffed out a breath as he steered the car into the traffic lane. “Yes, I wanted to shame him, and I did, and it felt fucking fantastic. He’s a smug, two-faced bastard, and I was glad to call him out.”
She nodded, beginning to understand his motive. He’d been trying to address the wrong done to her and her mother. “I appreciate your intentions, Matthew, but please don’t speak to him again. It doesn’t do any good.”
“It did me good.”
She shook her head, deciding to leave it. What was done was done.
They arrived at the apartment building in silence. He let her out by the front door and then drove to the parking garage down the street. In her apartment, she switched on a lamp and tossed her purse, keys, and hat onto the nearest table. She left the door partly open and she heard Matthew come into the foyer before he knocked.
“Come on in,” she said, turning toward him. How tall he looked striding into her front room and closing the door quietly behind him. He faced her, his turquoise eyes searching her expression, trying to determine her mood. “My mother thinks I should adopt another dog in the next few days.”
He shoved his hands into his trouser pockets and nodded. “She’s probably right. A dog that’s cat friendly.”
She shifted from one boot to the other. Her feet were beginning to ache. She felt awkward and out of her element, which was stupid. This was Matthew! She knew him. Knew every dip and hard plane of his body and the pleasure sounds he made – the groans, the rumble deep in his throat. She knew the sound of his laughter and the glint of anger in his eyes and how irritation made his mouth form a straight, formidable line.
He leaned back against the door and examined his dress shoes. “About your father . . .”
“Let’s not talk about him anymore.”
“I told him that I love you.”
Her heart stopped along with her breath.
“I should have told you first.”
Her heart started again and she gathered in a lungful of air. “Yes. You should have. Why did you say that to him?”
“Because I wanted him to know that you’re a dream come true and that everyone who knows you falls in love with you. I wanted him to know what he’s missed out on all these years.”
“Oh.” Her spirit drooped and she closed her eyes against the burn of tears. “So, like everyone, you love me.”
“No. Not like that.”
Her lashes swept up along with her hope. The gentleness of his gaze emboldened her. “While I was in Buffalo, I had time to really think.”
“I’ve had time to think, too. About us and where we go from here. I know I hurt you over the Carin fiasco.”
She shook her head, dismissing that.
“Yes, okay. I just want to say one more time that I’m an idiot. But I’ve given myself a good ass-kicking and I’m a better man for it.”
She puffed out a laugh. “Wish I could have been there to see it.”
“You would have enjoyed it.” Silence stretched like a rubber band between them. “Zaney.”
She focused fully on him and a shiver raced down her spine when she saw the passion darkening his eyes. It loosened her tongue and sent a recklessness through her. “I love you, Matt. I’ve loved you for a while now. I just didn’t want to lose you. You’re the best guy friend I’ve ever had. I was terrified that you’d leave me. I don’t want to think about not having you in my life. You’re . . . you’re . . . I’m in love with you.” She shrugged, running out of words.
He straightened away from the door and was before her in one stride. Then he was kneeling, looking up at her startled expression as he captured her trembling hands in his.
“Zaney, be mine.”
She swallowed, nodded, waited because she knew he wasn’t finished. Couldn’t be finished.
“My forever friend,” he said, his eyes misting a little. “My best friend, pillow friend.” He released a breath. “Wife friend.” He brought her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “I’m insanely in love with you. It’s pathetic.”
“Pathetic?” she repeated with a giggle. “You know how to lay on the charm there, Matthew.”
“Hey, I’m on bended knee here.”
She smiled. “So you are. This is a proposal?”
He rolled his eyes. “Yes, Captain Obvious.”
“Of marriage. I just want to be clear about this. You’re not just saying you love me and we’ll go back to the sex thing without any commitment.”
“Did you miss the part about ‘wife’ in my little speech?”
“No, I heard that. I’m simply clarifying.”
He surged to his feet and captured her face between his large hands. “For God’s sake, tell me that you’ll marry me.”
“Well, when you put it like that, sure. I’ll mar—.” His lips cut off the rest. Zaney slid her hands up his chest and curved them around his shirt collar. Opening to him, she touched her tongue to his and the world seemed perfect again when his arms circled her.
His kisses told her how much she meant to him, how he’d missed her, how he wanted her in his life. She kissed him back, hoping to telegraph the same messages to him. Combing her fingers through his hair, she reveled in the familiarity of him – how he felt and smelled and commanded her senses. She realized that he’d lifted her off her feet and was walking to her bedroom.
“Thank God,” she rasped against his mouth. “These boots are killing me.”
He smiled and sat her on the bed. “Allow me.” Taking one boot in his hands, he tugged it off, then the other. Before dropping them, he gave them a once-over. “These are sexy as hell, though.”
“I knew they’d get to you.”
His grin was damn near predatory. “Yeah, but I like them better off. Same thing goes for your clothes.”
She fixed a worried expression on her face. “You’re serious about wanting to marry me, aren’t you?”
“Yes!”
“Okay, okay. It’s just . . . well, maybe we shouldn’t have sex again until after we’re married. That’ll make our wedding night special.” It was all she could do not to burst out laughing at the stark disbelief that blanketed his face.
“Are you serious?”
Letting go of the laughter bundled up in her chest, she grabbed him by the lapels and pulled him with her onto the bed. “Of course not, you fool! You’re so much fun to tease.”
He glowered at her. “And you have an evil streak, Zaney Miller.” His fingers worked the buttons of her vest and shirt free, one by one. He bent to mouth one of her lace-covered nipples, making her squirm. “This is the kind of teasing I’m into right now, baby.” He tongued the other nipple and then shoved her bra up, releasing her breasts. His hand skimmed down her body to cup between her thighs. His thumb rubbed the spot that made her wet and wanting him more than the next breath.
“Mmm, Matthew. You sure you want to give up your bevy of beauties for me?”
“I gave them up months ago. You’re the only beauty I’ve wanted since you offered me your friendship and I wanted so much more from you than that.
”
“Really?” She stared into his half-lidded eyes. “Even back then?”
“Even back then. You’ve been mine and I’ve been yours for a while.”
She smiled. “I suppose so.” A thought struck her and she tipped her head back and laughed.
“What’s so funny?” he asked, kissing her chin.
“I was thinking that I should keep my maiden name because Zaney Birdsong really does sound like a clown name!”
He laughed with her. “As long as you take and keep the rest of me, I’m good with that.”
THE END
About the Author . . .
Author of more than 50 novels, Deborah lives in Oklahoma. She has been a full-time writer since she graduated from the University of Tulsa. She worked for a few years as a reporter for newspapers before becoming a freelance writer.
Deborah's first novel was published in the late 1970s and her books have been published by Jove, New American Library, Harlequin, Silhouette, and Avon. She has been inducted into the Oklahoma Authors Hall of Fame and she is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of the Author's Guild.
“Solitary Horseman” received the Rone Award as 2017 Best Historical (western era) from InD’tale Magazine.
Lover of the west and the people who tried to tame it, Deborah likes to write about strong, independent women and the men who are their equals. She grew up on a diet of TV westerns which have served her well. Since she appreciates men with devilish twinkles in their eyes, she likes to mix laughter in with the love scenes in her books.
Keep in Touch . . .
Website: https://www.deborah-camp.com
Blog-- http://deborahcampwritersdesk.blogspot.com/
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/officialdeborahcamp
Pinterest -- http://www.pinterest.com/debbycamp44/
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com@AuthorDebCamp
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/198990.Deborah_Camp
Other Books by Deborah Camp
All available on Amazon
Novella
The Madcap and the Miser
Historical Romances
Blazing Embers
Primrose
Fire Lily
Black-eyed Susan
Fallen Angel
My Wild Rose
Lady Legend
Master of Moonspell
Too Tough To Tame
Tough Talk, Tender Kisses
A Tough Man’s Woman
Belle Starr, Bandit Queen
Lonestar’s Lady
Solitary Horseman
To Seduce and Defend
Ropin’ the Moon
Contemporary Romances
To Have, To Hold
Devil’s Bargain
For Love or Money
This Tender Truce
In a Pirate’s Arms
Vein of Gold
Right Behind the Rain
After Dark
The Butler Did It
Wrangler’s Lady
Hook, Line, and Sinker
Love Letters
Weathering the Storm
The Second Mr. Sullivan
A Newsworthy Affair
Destiny’s Daughter
Taming the Wild Man
Oklahoma Man
Sweet Passion’s Song
A Dream to Share
Winter Flame
Midnight Eyes
Riptide
Tomorrow’s Bride
They Said It Wouldn’t Last
Strange Bedfellows
Do you love romantic suspense novels?
The Mind’s Eye Series
“Fifty Shades Meets Criminal Minds!”
*Through His Eyes
*Through His Touch
*Through His Heart
*Through Her Eyes
*Through Her Touch
*Through Her Heart