Page 78 of Getting Down to Business

“I’m in love with you, Chanda. And not just because I like the sex—which I like very much—but I love you.” He winced and shook his head. “I wasn’t going to blurt it out like that. Hold on. I have a list here.” He patted his pockets and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “Shit. This is my agenda for the Fletcher project. I hope I didn’t give the list to my assistant.” He rubbed his forehead. “I was in such a hurry to get over here and tell you. I was worried I might chicken out.”

“Doug. Take a breath.” She smiled at his bumbling. “Go back to the beginning.”

Doug took a breath. His wide shoulders moving up and down, stressing the dress shirt he wore. She wanted to take it off so he had more room to move.

“I love you. I know it’s a lot to deal with. And don’t worry if you don’t feel the same way. I don’t expect you to.” Of course he didn’t. His ex-wife hadn’t just depleted his funds and kept his daughter away from him. She’d also demolished this man’s confidence.

He didn’t realize he was a catch. There were not a lot of men in the world as sweet and kind as Doug. The sweet guys she did find were rarely as quick-witted and clever, or as responsible while also being a fun-loving. Doug was the whole package.

And while he might not have ripped abs, she found his solid body to be the sexiest she’d ever had against her. Especially when he used it to make her feel so spectacular.

“Doug. Stop after the first sentence.”

Again he let out a breath and fixed his gaze on hers.

“I love you, Chanda.” He pressed his lips together, as if he really wanted to say something else, but was holding it in. “So much,” he added quickly and covered his mouth with his palm.

She laughed and reached up to kiss him. He kissed back, making that low groan she loved. His arms were around her, pulling her against his hardness.

“You’re not freaking out,” he mentioned as his lips moved to her neck. “Can I take that to mean you’re okay with my feelings?”

“Very okay. I wasn’t expecting you to say it. Especially with your history.”

“I know. You’d think I’d be gun-shy of the whole thing, but in truth, my history made me realize this was real so much sooner than I might have if I hadn’t had a comparison.”

“It’s different than the last time you fell in love?”

“I didn’t fall in love the last time. I wanted to have someone the last time. There’s a difference. It’s not about me. It’s not about what I want or need, but about how I can give you what you want and need.” He let out a laugh and shook his head. “That is not what I wrote down at all. That was ridiculous.”

“I get it. And I feel the same way. In fact.” She pulled away from him, remembering she had a huge gesture to share with him.

Taking his hand, she led him up to her loft. He was already unbuttoning his shirt in anticipation, but his brows pulled together when she passed her bedroom to take him to the door to her spare room.

With everything to lose she opened the door and pushed it open.

“I did this for you.”

* * * *

Doug stepped into the room, expecting there to be a sculpture. Hoping fervently it wasn’t a nude in his likeness.

Instead, he found himself standing in a purple room. The word Lucy was painted above the small white bed with the purple leopard-print blanket.

On the one side was a matching dresser and a door with a full-length mirror. He’d been in this room before and knew that closet used to hold a shelf of paint. This room had been for storage. Plastic crates had lined the wall opposite the big window.

The floor had been bare wood, but now it was covered in a purple sparkly rug.

He gasped at the animals painted on the wall. They were some of Lucy’s favorites. A manatee, an otter, and a giraffe—its head cut off by the ceiling.

“I thought she might want to help me color in the animals. That’s why I left them as outlines. Hopefully, she won’t make every animal purple,” Chanda said next to him.

“You made Lucy a bedroom.” It was a stupid thing to say since he was standing in it, but he couldn’t help himself.

“I’m tired of getting screwed out of bunny pancakes every Sunday morning. Now she will be able to stay. After an inspection by child services, of course.”

His throat was so tight, he thought he might break down in happy tears. But the words child services shook him. He couldn’t have this dream. No matter how much he might want it.

He frowned and turned toward her shaking his head.