He shrugged. “Yeah. But I leased the car.” He gave her a boyish grin. “I couldn’t let go completely.”
She laughed and placed her gifts in the corner of the swing. “I’m glad you haven’t changed altogether. I liked the old Sean.”
He looked at her closely. “Could you still like him even with the modifications?”
Her heart picked up a beat. What was he asking? “Yes.”
Sean took her fingers. “Enough to start over and give him another chance?”
Cynthia removed her hand from his and stood. His face dropped. He started to stand but she moved in front of him. Putting her hand on his shoulder, she nudged him back and stood between his legs. Sean watched her intently. He looked unsure and curious at the same time.
“I don’t want to start over.” Sean started to move but Cynthia continued, “I want what we’ve already had, then more. I want forever.”
* * *
Sean had feared for a second that Cynthia was going to reject him. He looked at her in disbelief, then he grabbed her and pulled her to him. His lips found hers and she wrapped her arms around his neck and held on as if she would never let him go. This was what had been missing in his life. She was his life.
He pulled back. “I meant it when I said I loved you. You are my rock, my security.”
She cupped his face. “I sure hope so because I love you too. You’re the most important person to me. I won’t ever let you forget it.” She kissed him with all the love she had in her heart. Minutes later she pulled away. “By the way, I forgot to tell you that I’m going to be homeless soon.”
Sean pulled her into his lap, his brows going together as he looked at her.
She smiled at him. “My brothers told me in no uncertain terms it was time for me to find my own place or they would.”
He chuckled. “Maybe I can help you with that problem. Would you marry me and share mine? We could have fun together for the rest of our lives.”
“Nothing could sound nicer or more perfect.” She kissed him.
Sean pulled back and searched her face. “Was that a yes?”
“It’s most definitely a yes!”
* * * * *
If you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Susan Carlisle:
THE SURGEON’S CINDERELLA
THE DOCTOR’S SLEIGH BELL PROPOSAL
WHITE WEDDING FOR A SOUTHERN BELLE
MARRIED FOR THE BOSS’S BABY
All available now!
Keep reading for an excerpt from ENCOUNTER WITH A COMMANDING OFFICER by Charlotte Hawkes.
Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!
Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003
Did you know that Harlequin My Rewards members earn FREE books and more?
Join
www.HarlequinMyRewards.com
today to start earning your FREE books!
* * *
Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!
Other ways to keep in touch:
Harlequin.com/newsletters
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
HarlequinBlog.com
Join Harlequin My Rewards & Instantly earn a FREE ebook of your choice.
Earn points for every Harlequin print and ebook you buy, wherever & whenever you shop.
Turn your points into FREE BOOKS.
Don’t miss out. Reward the book lover in you!
Register Today & Earn a FREE BOOK*
*New members who join before December 31st, 2017 will receive 2000 points redeemable for eligible titles.
Click here to register
Or visit us online to register at
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010001
Encounter with a Commanding Officer
by Charlotte Hawkes
CHAPTER ONE
‘SO, I TAKE it you’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Colonel Man Candy either?’
Fliss paused in her half-hearted attempt to cut up her breakfast with the flimsy plastic knife and fork, and stared at her friend incredulously. Then, given the din of the several hundred men in the Army mess tent, assumed she must have misheard. Clearly the latest forty-eight-hour shift had messed with her imagination.
‘Say again? For a minute there I thought you said Colonel Man Candy.’
‘Yeah, I did.’ Her friend grinned wickedly. ‘But it gets better. Apparently up until a few months ago he was Major Man Candy.’
Fliss snorted. ‘Major Man Candy? Seriously, Elle?’
‘Seriously.’
‘People actually call him that?’
‘They actually do.’ Her friend shrugged. ‘To the extent that I have no idea what his real name is. But I can tell you that a good portion of the camp is buzzing about his arrival, male and female as it happens, though for different reasons. Apparently, he’s also something of a maverick who has risked his life for his men on multiple occasions.’
Unconvinced, Fliss wrinkled her nose.
‘I haven’t heard any buzz. Not even a single z.’
‘No, well, you wouldn’t—you don’t indulge in gossip and anyone who knows you knows better than to engage with you unless it’s strictly Army related, preferably medical.’
‘I do...gossip.’ Fliss nodded uncertainly, biting back the fact she’d been about to comment that it would be inappropriate for any colonel, Man Candy or otherwise, to have any kind of relationship with most of the camp.
Her friend’s snort said it all.
‘Fliss, you cannot gossip for the life of you. And certainly not about fellow military colleagues.’
‘I don’t agree. For a start this, what we’re doing right now, is gossip.’
‘No, this is me gossiping and you listening, about to say something like, Well, interpersonal relationships between ranks aren’t appropriate because they compromise the integrity of a unit.’
Caught red-handed, Fliss could only flush as her friend laughed fondly. She lifted her head.