One day soon, he would tell her. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he didn’t. But right this second, when they were only just beginning to admit their feelings to each other, he couldn’t risk losing Lola.
Not when he’d only just found her.
At the very least, though, he had to say, “You shouldn’t give me too much credit.”
“See?” she exclaimed. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about. I don’t know a single other man who would have told me to think less of him instead of more. None of the guys I’ve dated had an ounce of modesty. And none of them truly wanted to be with me.”
“You’re one of the most intelligent, determined, talented people I’ve ever known, Lola. I want to kiss you breathless,” he said, intent on being as honest as he possibly could with her. “But I also want to know your hopes, your dreams, your past, and your plans for the future.”
“I want all the same things from you.” She paused a beat before adding, “Even though everything is moving so fast.”
“I won’t hurt you, Lola. And I’ll never underestimate you, not in any way. I promise.”
She pulled into the parking lot of a building on the oceanfront, then turned off the ignition and unbuckled her seat belt, shifting to face him. “I know you won’t. I’ve felt it all day. Practically from the first moment we met.” She lifted his hand and laid it over her chest, where he could feel her heart beating strong and steady beneath his palm. “I feel it here. It’s the same thing I feel when I look into your eyes. I know I can trust you. And you can trust me too. Because I’m not going to hurt you either.”
They were leaning in toward each other, and he could almost taste her lips, almost feel her beautiful curves pressed against him when, suddenly, there was a loud bang on the window.
They jumped apart like two teenagers caught making out. But it wasn’t a disapproving parent outside the van. It was a man in his thirties who shared a distinct resemblance to Lola.
She rolled her eyes, huffed out a breath. “I’m going to kill him,” she muttered. “That’s my brother Turner. He has the code to the building, so he’s letting us in. Although I’m afraid I’m going to have to tear off at least one of his limbs first.”
Even as she grumbled about their first kiss being thwarted by her brother, Duncan could hear the love and affection in her voice. Because her family clearly meant everything to her.
Once you were in Lola’s heart, you were there permanently. She would do absolutely anything for the people she loved. To protect them. To care for them. To make sure they were happy.
Duncan had never wanted anything more than he wanted to be one of those fortunate people. He would give and do anything, change any part of himself and his life for her.
When they got out of the van, her brother smiled at Lola but merely bared his teeth at Duncan.
“Turner,” she said, “this is my friend Duncan. Duncan, this is my totally overbearing brother.” She scowled at Turner, her voice slightly grudging as she added, “Thanks for coming to let us into the museum. If you’ll give me the code to open and lock up, you won’t need to stay.”
Turner shook his head. “I’ve got no problem staying until you two leave.”
“You’re acting like we’re going to have sex all over the building.” Her eyes suddenly lit with mischief. “On second thought, maybe that isn’t such a bad idea.”
While it was clear to Duncan that she was only trying to wind her brother up in retaliation for his overprotectiveness, Turner looked ready for a fight. “You’d better not do anything in there with my sister,” he growled at Duncan.
Lola whacked Turner on the shoulder. “Stop it! I was kidding. And if you so much as set one foot inside the museum before we’re done, I won’t be responsible for my actions.” She took Duncan’s hand and led him away.
Though Turner didn’t look at all happy about it, he stayed where he was. Duncan tried not to laugh or even smile. He got the sense neither sibling would appreciate it. At the same time, it was heartening to see how natural their dynamic was. Even when one person was irritated and the other was concerned, no one said anything hurtful or wounding.
The same had not been true of Duncan and his brother. On the contrary, Alastair was a master at ramming a knife into your back when you were least expecting it. It didn’t matter whether it was family or business—winning was all that mattered. Along with never being made to look like a fool.
And still, Duncan hadn’t been able to see through his brother’s lies. Hadn’t been able to separate family loyalty from the crimes taking place right under his nose.
“Sorry about Turner,” Lola said.
Her voice brought Duncan back to the present, away from his own family and the dark past that never seemed far behind, no matter how long and hard he tried to outrun it.
“Don’t apologize for anything,” he said. “Your brother is just looking out for you.”
“Despite his behavior tonight, he really is a nice guy,” she agreed. “Like I said before, he’s the most easygoing of all my brothers.”
Duncan’s eyebrows went up. “Note to self—wear armor when meeting your other brothers.”
She laughed, the sound incredibly sweet. “I can’t wait for you to meet them all. Soon, hopefully.”
Had Turner not still been watching them with laser vision from the parking lot, observing their every movement, every point of contact, Duncan would have kissed her, now that he was confident that it was also what she wanted. Instead, he said, “I’d like to meet them all soon, too. I have several business matters I need to deal with urgently in Boston this week.” Namely, discussing the possibility of having his new hire, Anita, take over some of his day-to-day duties so that he could spend more time in Bar Harbor. “But after that, I’m suddenly finding myself inspired to clear my schedule.”
She looked like he’d just given her the greatest possible gift. “Is there any chance you could come back by Friday? That’s when we have our weekly family dinner at my parents’ house, and then everyone can meet you.”
“Friday will work.” He’d make sure of it.
She beamed at him, her smile the brightest ray of sunshine he’d ever seen. One that staggered him with its beauty.
“Knowing you’ll be back soon will help me be a little less sad about you leaving in the morning.” She looked a little startled by what she’d just said. “I meant it when I said I’m not normally so impulsive. Normally, I would never blurt out any of these things to you, but I can’t help myself. Not when this, you, us—it all seems so right.” She moved deeper into his arms, curving hers up around his neck. “It might sound crazy, but I can already see you sitting beside me at my parents’ dining table laughing with everyone.” She took his breath away all over again as she stared up into his eyes. “And you know the craziest thing of all? I’m not even the tiniest bit scared about giving my heart to you.”
It didn’t matter anymore that her brother was still watching them. Hell, it wouldn’t have mattered if a tornado was thundering toward them.
He had to kiss her.