Don't Break My Heart (Return to Redemption, Book 6) by Laurie Kellogg Page A

you fill me in
now?”
    “You misinterpreted what I said, cariño. What I was unsuccessfully trying to tell that jerk was that
he placed too much importance on how a woman looks and not enough on the things
he can’t see when the lights are out.”
    “You can’t see anything in the dark.”
    “Exactly. I told him he should care if she makes him laugh
and can hold an intelligent conversation, or if she challenges him and makes
him a better person.”
    “Oh.” Put that way, it was a pretty nice sentiment.
    “I also explained to those guys that you couldn’t tolerate
wearing contacts, but you still had the most gorgeous bright blue eyes I’d ever
seen.”
    “Thank you.”
    “I’m assuming you had LASIK surgery since you’re no longer
wearing glasses.”
    “About ten years ago.”
    He tipped her chin up and stared into her eyes. “I don’t
know if it’s just because you’re pissed at me or it’s your purple dress, but
your irises look almost violet right now.” His hand slid lower to her hip. “I
also told that idiot that I like a
few curves on a woman, and that he could keep all the anorexic two-by-fours he
dated.”
    “So if you weren’t only interested in me for sex, then what
was all that crap about me pleasing you?”
    “You did! In every possible way you could. I wasn’t just
referring to in bed. You baked me cookies, did my laundry on the weekends, and
proofread and corrected the grammar on all my papers. And, yes, you were amazing in bed!”
    “Shhh!” She glanced around at the couples dancing near them.
The smirk on his brother’s face said he’d probably heard the comment.
    “But you were,” Justin insisted, lowering his voice and
holding her tighter. “Despite that you were a virgin, you were still eager and
responsive. Damn, it makes me hard just thinking about how easily I could make
you come.”
    Over and over. But only with him. He’d been a master at
arousing her, and kept her constantly so ready she had to change her panty
liner three and four times a day. And now was no different, especially with his
erection pressed against her.
    “You were beautiful. And you still are. Those assholes were
just jealous because they could see how much you loved me.”
    “So, then, I suppose you have no objections to marriage
now?” When he didn’t answer right away, she shook her head. “Just as I
expected. Still commitment-phobic.”
    “No, you don’t understand, Trisha. A year ago, I would’ve
dropped to one knee right here on the dance floor. But when Marc became sick, I
gave up dating and any thought of settling down. I have Haley to think about,
now. She’s grieving and needs my undivided attention.”
    “You’re right.” She spun in a circle under his arm. “It’s
admirable that you recognize how emotionally fragile she is.”
    “I do. That’s why I can’t devote a lot of time to a serious
relationship or bring anyone else into our lives. As it is, I’m so busy with my
business I barely have time to shower each day.”
    Unfortunately, she could understand his limitations.
    “But just because I have an obligation to Haley doesn’t mean
we can’t date now and then,” he added.
    “Don’t you mean sleep
together ?”
    “That, too, if you’d like.” He brushed an errant hair from
her face. “But I meant going to
dinner and a movie.”
    If they dated, their relationship would last exactly how
long it took Justin to realize she would soon be a mother. “I have personal
commitments, too. So why don’t we just enjoy each other’s company for the next
few days and not worry about the future?”
    He pulled her tighter against him, allowing her to feel how
much he wanted her. “Sounds good to me. Maybe we can finally go skiing
tomorrow,” he suggested, reminding her of the ski trip he’d promised to take
her on during their Christmas break from school. “I told Haley I would teach
her tomorrow.”
    “If she doesn’t mind, I’d love to join you.” She’d