Page 25 of Sleeping with the Frenemy
A smile lit her eyes. She kissed my jaw before snuggling against my chest. “Very happy,” she murmured.
“Just so you know, I can do that again in about twenty minutes.”
Her laugh vibrated my ribs. “I’m not sure I can. I’ve been up since six.”
“Your job?”
“Mmhmm. We’re coming up on tax season, so things are starting to get nuts. I’ll be lucky to work twelve-hour days.”
Just like that, the real world intruded.
I stilled my hand. “Victoria, you can’t work at the hotel.”
A beat passed. “Why not?”
“Do I really have to explain it? You’re a Parker. If my father finds out—”
She sat up, a frown creasing her forehead. “You said he had a stroke.”
“He did.”
“So? I thought you were in charge now.”
“It’s more complicated than that.” My body was cold now that she’d moved away. Or maybe it was just the draft from all the walls flying up between us again.
She tugged the comforter over her chest. “Well, it’s not complicated for me, Chase. I still have a stack of bills waiting for me at the lodge, and most of them have the name Valenti on them. What am I supposed to do? And don’t suggest selling the land. My grandparents bought it when they got married. I know it’s just a piece of property, but some things are sacred.”
I bolted upright so fast, she sucked in a sharp breath. But I hardly noticed, because the idea buzzing in my brain was either brilliant or supremely stupid.
“Chase?” Her gaze was wary.
I got off the bed and went for my suitcase. What I was about to say required pants.
When I swung around, she waited with a white-knuckled grip on the comforter.
I went to the nightstand and flipped on the lamp.
Then I took a deep breath.
“Marry me.”
