Claimed by Love (Love in Bloom: The Ryders, Book 2): Duke Ryder by Melissa Foster

Author:Melissa Foster [Foster, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: 1941480292
Publisher: World Literary Press
Published: 2016-03-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

GABRIELLA SAT ON the front porch of her villa reviewing the file for the McGrady case. The evening breeze carried the sweet scent of the flowers Duke had left for her. They were proving to be just as much of a distraction to her as Duke was. Watching the way Duke connected with David, with the perfect blend of confidence and care, had been too hard. She’d felt herself getting even more swoony over him, and she’d come home to take her mind off of him. But when she’d found the flowers on the porch, she’d stumbled over those emotions again.

She’d made arrangements to go back home to New York tomorrow. With the McGrady case looming, she needed to be on top of her game. At least that’s what she’d told herself when she’d made the arrangements. If she stayed on the island with Duke, she’d never be able to resist him. She didn’t want to resist him. But eventually that proposal that was hanging in the wind would come to fruition, and she didn’t want to ever look at Duke and see the man who ruined the place she loved. It was better to table their relationship until that was over, wasn’t it?

Her heart squeezed with the thought. She definitely needed space, and a few hundred miles should do the trick.

She picked up the note Duke had left with the flowers and read it for the millionth time.

Don’t overthink us. Good things are going to happen. Can’t wait to hold you in my arms again. Xo, Duke.

Even his handwriting was neat and commanding, like him. She traced his name with her finger, then did the same with the phone number he’d written below. She went inside to retrieve her cell phone and add his number to her contacts. At some point, the island negotiation would be over and maybe then they could spend more time together. If it went well. His promise came reeling back to her. I will do my best to make this island a place where you would not only be proud to live, but that you will feel just as passionate about as you do now.

“Hey, baby.”

She lifted her eyes and her insides went soft at the sight of Duke on the other side of the screen door. He was there, even after she’d told him she needed space. She should probably be irritated, but it had the opposite effect on her. His dark eyes grazed over her, warming her like a caress. His voice was husky and low. She wished she could memorize his voice and play it over and over in the time between now and when the island transaction was done.

“May I come in?” he asked.

“Yes, of course.” She set down her phone and the note and went to him as he opened the door. “Thank you for the lovely flowers. They were so unexpected.”

“Just like you,” he said as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. “You missed David’s big finish.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.