Impetuous & the Proposal by Lori Foster

Author:Lori Foster
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-04-17T12:33:38+00:00

Chapter 11

Carlie stared at Tyler blankly. “Don’t you think humor is a little misplaced at this point?”

“I...” He shut his mouth. Truth be told, he’d surprised himself as much as he had Carlie with that sudden command. Marry me. Damn, but it did seem the right thing to say at the right time.

He grinned. “I’m not joking. I want to marry you.”

She eyed him warily. “Why?”

He gave her a mock frown of disapproval over her rude questioning. “You don’t seem to know any more about accepting proposals than you did about dates. Let me instruct you. This is the part where you fall into my arms, tearfully showing your gratitude and devotion, and shout a resounding, ‘Yes!’ You got all that?”

“Provided, of course, the answer would be yes?”

Tyler felt a moment’s misgiving. “Don’t toy with me, Carlie. I’ve never proposed to anyone in my life. I could have a major attack of insecurity here, if you’re not careful.” He hoped his teasing tone belied the truth behind his words. He felt almost sick with dread.

Carlie chewed her bottom lip and her eyes were dark with shadows. “Tyler, I don’t want to get married. It’s not just you. I don’t want to marry anyone. Ever. I followed that route once, and as you know, it didn’t go all that well.”

Tyler sat beside her and took her hands in his. He needed to touch her, to make her understand. “It wouldn’t be that way with me, Carlie. I’m not like him.”

She went on, all brisk and businesslike. “Of course you’re not. I told you, you’re amazing. Kind and compassionate, and too attractive to be turned loose on polite society. But I value my independence. I don’t intend to give it up.”

It took him a minute to recover from her compliments. He was still beaming when the rest of what she’d said sank in. “I’m not asking you to give up anything.”

She gave him a sardonic look. “Be honest, Tyler. Don’t you think you’d start hounding me right away over how I dress? Or how I wear my hair?”

“Well,” he hedged. She had a point. But a poor one. “You can’t go on hiding the rest of your life, Carlie. You’re a beautiful woman. That’s something to be proud of. It’s a part of you. And once we’re married, there won’t be any reason to look so shabby. I wouldn’t let other men ogle you.”

She tossed up her hands in exasperation. “There, you see? Not only are you changing me, but you’ll be playing barbarian protector as well. I don’t need a protector, Tyler.”

“Not dressed like that you won’t.”

Carlie sighed, ignoring his provocation. “Please try to understand.”

“I understand. You said you cared for me, but it wasn’t exactly the truth.” He stood, towering over her. He felt dejected, rejected and unbearably weary. He tweaked her chin, giving her a crooked smile. “You know something, honey? You’re just a bit selfish.”

Carlie raised an eyebrow at the criticism, but he continued.

“I’ve bent over backward, made all the concessions I can make, humiliated myself several times now trying to win you over.

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