Loving On the Edge 5-Book Collection: Crash Into You, Melt Into You, Fall Into You, Caught Up In You, Need You Tonight. Roni Loren
Читать онлайн книгу.
long as you’re there, I’m sold either way.” He pushed off from the car and stepped back with a smile. “Plus, think of all the money we’ll have left over. We’re going to be able to throw a killer party.”
She raised an eyebrow. “We should probably build the house before planning a housewarming party, don’t you think?”
He shook his head. “We wouldn’t be celebrating a house.”
“What would the party be for then?”
“I know I’m not the most traditional guy ever, but I’m not moving in with you until you make an honest man out of me.”
She cocked her head to the side. “What are you talking about?”
“The collar isn’t enough for me, sugar.” He dug in his jacket pocket and sank to one knee, sucking all the wind from her chest. “I want it all with you. Marriage. Kids. Forever.”
She blinked hard, trying to assure herself that the man before her was real.
He held out a small black box and flipped it open, revealing
a simple but stunning diamond ring. “Will you have me, Brynn LeBreck?”
She gripped the car behind her, her legs threatening to collapse beneath her, and tears filled her eyes. She nodded.
“Is that a yes?”
She nodded again, trying to find her voice. “Yes.”
He bowed his head and kissed her hands. “Thank God, I’d hate to have to cuff you and drag you down the aisle.”
She laughed, the tears catching in her throat, and ran her fingers along the back of his neck. “You know, this is the first time I’ve had you on your knees for me.”
He looked up at her, his blue eyes glittering in the afternoon sun, and gave her a soft smile. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? I’ve always been on my knees for you, love.”
First, thank you to my parents, who have always supported me no matter what crazy path I’ve ventured down. I can’t tell you how much your unconditional love and unwavering cheerleading have meant in my life.
And love to my husband and son, who bring the joy to my world and who put up with me even when I’m in obsessive writer mode, which is often. I could never have written this book if you guys hadn’t given me the support to follow my dream.
Gratitude also to the wonderful and talented writer friends I’ve met along the way, both in person and online. For the first time in my life, I feel like I’ve found the natives of my home planet. Hallelujah.
And finally, hugs to my agent, Sara Megibow, and to my editor, Kate Seaver, for believing in my book, for believing in me, and for helping my dream come true.
MELT INTO YOU
RONI LOREN
To Mom and De.
Your wholehearted, unconditional support is the best gift a girl could ever receive.
I love you.
Contents
Dedication
PROLOGUE
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN
SEVENTEEN
EIGHTEEN
NINETEEN
TWENTY
TWENTY-ONE
TWENTY-TWO
TWENTY-THREE
TWENTY-FOUR
TWENTY-FIVE
TWENTY-SIX
TWENTY-SEVEN
TWENTY-EIGHT
TWENTY-NINE
THIRTY
THIRTY-ONE
THIRTY-TWO
THIRTY-THREE
THIRTY-FOUR
Acknowledgments
twelve years ago
Most of the time temptation climbs into your lap and straddles you, demands you deal with it immediately. Give in or deprive yourself. Choose your adventure.
Jace’s general stance: Deprivation was overrated.
But he’d never faced this kind of temptation. The kind that seeped into your skin so slowly you didn’t even notice until you were soaked with it, saturated. To the point that every thought, every breath, seemed to be laced with the desire for that thing you shouldn’t have.
And right now that thing was nibbling flecks of purple polish off her fingernails.
Jace shifted on the rec room couch, pretending to look for the remote control, even though he could feel the damn thing digging into his hip. He had to do something to get her calves off his lap. Otherwise, she was going to feel exactly how much he hadn’t been concentrating on the horror movie. Or she’d assume he’d gotten the monster hard-on watching the teens get butchered on the screen. Although, thinking he got off on blood and guts might be preferable to the real reason he was sporting wood.
She tucked her legs to her chest and set her chin on her knees, staring at him with eyes so pale blue, they looked like silver dimes in the flicker of the television. Thunder rumbled outside and her gaze darted to the window behind him. Wary. “Maybe we should’ve watched that Jim Carrey movie instead.”
He hit Stop on the VCR, cutting off the eerie music to the closing credits, and resisted the urge to scoot closer to her, to curl around her lithe body and slay her fears like the dude in the movie had done for the heroine. Well, up until the guy’s head was lopped off. That he could skip. “See, I warned you it would freak you out. I shouldn’t have even let you watch it. It’s rated R. Too old for you.”
She snorted and shoved his thigh with her foot. “Said the nineteen-year-old who just