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I was thinking, around the twentieth. You can stay as long as you need to; I plan to be gone for
about a month.
As he paused to listen to the mysterious Maggie s response, Gillian felt a lump lodge in her
throat again. Remy was leaving? And the twentieth& God, the twentieth of October was less than two
weeks away! Her knees wobbling, Gillian sank into a chair, staring bleakly at Remy. She loved him,
and he was going to walk away from her.
That works, Remy was saying, his attention focused on the calendar spread open on his desk.
Just remember, this is between us. I don t need any more disasters around here. There was another
pause, and then, Okay. See you then, Maggie.
Remy flicked Gillian an apologetic glance as he hung up the phone, and she saw the glint of fear,
before he swiftly brushed it aside with a soft smile. Sorry about that. Business. What s up?
She drew herself up as his words sliced through her. She wasn t stupid; there was more than
business between him and this Maggie. She had to remember why she d come in here in the first place.
I ve had enough.
He blinked, and the fear returned to his eyes, flaring almost out of control. She swore he stopped
breathing completely for almost a minute. Then, in a quiet voice, he asked, What do you mean,
Gillian?
She leaned forward, pressing her advantage. You ve evaded and procrastinated long enough,
Remy. There s something very wrong at Scarlet Oak, and I want you to call the Phoenix Group, before
someone gets seriously hurt. This is too dangerous to keep playing ostrich with.
He sat back, and some of the fear melted from his eyes as a half-smile tugged at his lips. I told
you; it s nothing you need to worry about. It can t hurt you.
It s not me I m worried about, she shot back.
He leaned forward again, suddenly intense, as his gaze probed hers, his features tightening as if
he was about to take a tremendous leap. Who are you worried about?
She rolled her eyes in exasperation. Remy was a highly intelligent, very intuitive man. Why
didn t he have a clue, yet? You, Remy. I m worried to death about you.
Esther Mitchell 111
That seemed to fascinate him as much as it clearly frightened him. She could see the tic in his
jaw, and the pulse hammering in his throat, even from where she was sitting. Then, in a tight, hoarse
voice, he asked, Why?
She laughed in disbelief, startling him. Then, rising regally to her feet, she leaned across his
desk, until barely an inch separated them, and, in a soft murmur, slowly enunciated, Because I love
you.
Remy sat back, stunned. She loved him? Slowly, those words penetrated his shock completely,
and sunlight poured through all the dark areas in his soul. She loved him! He was on his feet in a flash,
sidestepping the desk to pull her securely into his arms as he traced a trail of tender kisses over her face
and neck.
She stiffened in surprise. Remy?
Gillian, ma amour, he murmured against her ear. You have no idea how desperate I ve been
to hear you say that. I love you so much, and I ve been going out of my head wondering how you felt.
Gillian s hands pressed lightly against his chest. When he looked down into her eyes, he found
stunned hope, and a tinge of fear. What did you say?
I ve been going crazy
She shook her head. Before that.
Understanding seeped through him, bringing a soft smile to his face as his arms tightened around
her. Looking into her beautiful, violet eyes, he murmured, I love you, Gillian.
Tears welled in her amazing eyes, sending a rush of fear through Remy. Gillian never cried.
Reaching up with a trembling hand, he brushed the tears from her cheeks. Cherie? What s wrong?
She shook her head, a tremulous smile blooming on her face. Her hand brushed against his
cheek, and Remy reached to cover it, holding her hand against his face. They stared into each other s
eyes for a long, silent moment. Then, unable to contain the words that had been swelling within his
chest since last night any longer, Remy blurted, Marry me.
She blinked in surprise. What?
He chuckled, giving her hand a squeeze as he brought it to his lips. You re having a hard time
hearing, all of a sudden, cherie.
I just& She stopped, an endearing blush spreading over her face. I could have sworn you
just said something about& getting married?
I did, he assured her softly. Then, quirking her a smile, he teased, I ve heard that s what
people who love each other do.
Suddenly, a radiant smile covered her face, knocking the breath from Remy and nearly bringing
him to his knees. He d thought her mischievous wild-child grin was lethal? It was nothing compared to
the pure joy and love engulfing her face now.
Marry me, he managed hoarsely, uncaring that he was begging. Today.
It was her turn to chuckle as she snuggled into his embrace. Impatient, aren t you?
You have no idea, he growled, pulling her tight against himself, until he knew she could feel
the arousal that d been growing since the moment he d looked up to see her standing in the doorway.
The throaty quality of her lighthearted laughter arrowed straight to his groin, it turned discomfort
to clenching pain. God, he wanted her; today, tomorrow& forever didn t seem like such a bad idea,
from where he was standing. Then, she sobered abruptly, looking up at him with somber eyes.
Remy&
He felt his breath catch in dread. She hadn t answered his question, yet, and he wasn t sure he
could bear it if her answer was no. Yes, love?
We re already sleeping together. You don t have to marry me&
Intrigue 112
Yes, I do, he contradicted firmly, meeting her eyes levelly. Gillian, I don t want any halfway,
with you. I want it all. I want you in my arms when I go to sleep at night, and I want you there when I
wake up in the morning. I want to see your smiles, hear your laughter, and be there when you need
someone to lean on. His voice dropped, husky with emotion he could no longer hold back, as he
murmured, You re everything I could ever want, and I don t want to miss a moment of life with you.
He heard her breath catch, and saw the tears rise back into her shining eyes.
I want that, too, she whispered. But, Remy&
He cut her off with a drugging kiss, feeling her melt against him. Yeah?
Not today. She drew away slightly, to smile up at him. How about next week?
He stared at her, and his pulse skipped a beat. He was too afraid to hope; he wanted to make
sure he hadn t misheard her. Was that a yes?
Her impish grin was back, as she pressed against him and shifted her hips, making his eyes roll
back as he groaned with need.
That, baby, was most definitely a yes, she murmured in a sultry whisper that crawled along his
skin, driving him crazy.
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