“Kayla makes a good observation.” Lily smiled. “You’re able to handle tough challenges so well because you handle them together. That includes everything from the situation with Osiris’ Journey earlier this year to this last-minute home-cooked meal for eight. You can do that not just because you’re friends, but because you’re family. You don’t just love each other—you like each other.”
Rose was struck by Lily’s words. That’s exactly how she felt about her sisters. She didn’t only love them; she liked the hell out of them. They’d always been her guiding lights and her pillars of support. And she relied on them even more since the death of their parents. The Beharie sisters had a lot in common with the Anderson Adventures men.
“Very well said, Lily.” Foster lifted his glass of lemonade toward her. “I knew the first time I met you that you understood the importance of family.”
“I wish my parents had met you.” Donovan looked from Kayla to Foster. “I wish they’d met all of you. I’m not a blood relative but you make me feel like a part of your family.”
“That’s because you are.” Kayla leaned into the table as though to emphasize her words.
“You’re like the irreverent cousin who turns every family event into a party.” Xavier grinned down the table toward Donovan.
Laughter rose from the table, lightening the conversation again. Once dessert was over, the women cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher, much as the men had done after the Beharie sisters had hosted dinner.
Iris lingered behind with Tyler while Lily stood talking with Foster, Kayla and Xavier. Donovan took Rose’s hand and drew her outside to the front porch. The evening was warm. A gentle breeze ruffled the nearby bushes and carried the scent of roses from Kayla’s garden.
Rose stood in the shadows of the porch beside Donovan. The sole lightbulb traced the chiseled lines of his classically handsome face. “Thank you again for the lovely meal. The Anderson Adventures leadership team knows how to plan a social event.”
Donovan flashed his million-dollar smile, the one advertising agencies would kill for. “We can handle the smaller celebrations. For the big events, we call in your sister.”
“Thank you.” Rose appreciated the compliment.
“The Andersons are good people.” Donovan glanced back at the house. “Like I said, I think my parents would have liked them a lot.”
“My parents would have liked them, too.” Rose met Donovan’s eyes. “I hope I’m not being too personal. But I was wondering, did your father ever remarry?”
“No, he didn’t.” Donovan’s smile was soft with memories. “My mother was the one true love of his life. He said after he experienced that, he didn’t want to settle for anything less.”
“That’s beautiful.” Rose’s heart melted. “Your father was a romantic.”
Donovan chuckled. “I guess he was.”
“He was a good role model.” Impulse lifted Rose’s hand to cup his cheek. “A hero, just like his son.”
“I’m not a hero.” Donovan lowered his voice.
“That’s how I see you.”
“I’d rather you saw me like this.” Donovan closed what little space remained between them. He lowered his mouth to Rose’s and took her breath away.
How could she have denied herself another taste of him for so long? He might ultimately prove to be bad for her but her body craved him. He was like another piece of chocolate or that second slice of pie. His taste was heaven going down but sh
e’d pay for it later. Donovan’s lips moved on hers, nibbling and sucking them until they parted in welcome. His tongue swept in, bold and demanding. Feeding her fantasies. Stoking her desires. His arms wrapped around her, drawing her tight against him. His hard torso pressed against her breasts. His hips were firm against her. His hand lowered to cup her derriere, holding her close to make her aware of his arousal. Rose moaned into Donovan’s mouth. A wild and reckless hunger heated her blood. It rushed through her veins and burned in her belly. Her knees were weak. Rose slid her hands over his chest. She drilled her fingers into his shoulders to steady herself.
Donovan’s lips released hers. He trailed kisses down the side of her neck and up again. He nibbled her jawline, then whispered in her ear. “I’m not a hero, Rose. I’m just a man. But I’d never hurt you. You can trust me.” He shared one last kiss before he released her and went back inside the house.
What just happened?
Rose’s legs shook. Her body throbbed. Her underwear was damp. She stumbled across the porch to lean against the attached garage wall. She took deep breaths to try to calm her body. When that didn’t work, she took several more. What had happened? All Donovan had done was touch and kiss her. But it was the way he’d touched her and the way he’d kissed her that made her want to strip off her clothes and wrap her naked thighs around him. That’s what had happened.
He’d kissed her and made her realize that she wanted him. All of him: the playboy, the hero, the messy executive and every version of him in between. But like every decadent dessert, Donovan Carroll would come at a cost. How high was that price—and was she able to pay it?
* * *
“I have in my hand the response from the Columbus City Council to the position statement from the Hope Homeless Shelter.” Rose crossed the threshold into Donovan’s home Thursday evening. It was a struggle to contain her excitement. “It’s an email message. The official letter should arrive tomorrow or next week.”
“Don’t march around waving it like a flag.” Donovan closed and locked his front door. He turned to Rose, extending his hand. “Tell me what it says or give it to me so I can read it.”
“Do you want me to read it to you?” She bounced on her toes. His impatience made her want to delay the announcement longer.