Master of the Inn (11 page)

“Elyse!” Logan ran toward her. “Thank God you’re here.”

He stepped inside the gazebo shaking out the snowflakes that
had accumulated in his thick brown hair. “You need to listen to me.”

“No, I don’t.” She held up her hand to stop him because she
didn’t need to hear his explanation.

“Yes,” he yelled. “You do. What you saw with Cora – it isn’t
what you think.”

“I know.”

“She was in our room when I…” He stopped and stared at her,
confusion flooded his expression. “You know?”

She nodded.

“Why did you run?”

“I didn’t realize it right away. I was shocked when I saw
the two of you together. It looked really bad.”

“I would never do that to you. I don’t want anyone else.
You’re the only woman for me.”

She wiped the tears from her face. “It hurt seeing you with
her like that. I thought you…”

He pulled her into his embrace. Despite the weather, his
warm body comforted her. Maybe it was the way he made her feel – safe and
secure – but he would always be
home
for her.

“Never,” he whispered. “I would never betray you. I had this
special evening planned. I wanted to tell you – things.”

“What things?” She shivered against his chest.

“Let’s go inside. You’re freezing.”

“Tell me.” She looked up at him. “I need to hear what you
were going to tell me. I need you to erase the image of her in your arms.”

“It wasn’t like that. Please, you have to believe me.”

“I do, but I still thought it.” Elyse trusted Logan, but the
image of a naked Cora in his bed haunted her. “I want to hear what you have to
say.”

“Fine.” He sat down on the bench and pulled her into his
lap. “I wanted to tell you I’m having my attorney draw up papers putting your
name on the inn along with mine. I want you to be my partner.”

“What? Why would you do that?”

“Because I can’t do this without you. I’ve assumed that
you’d stay with me and help me run it, but I never officially asked you.”

She didn’t know what to say. He had stunned her. Of course
she wanted to stay and help him. “Your partner?”

“In every sense of the word, cupcake. Will you stay with me
forever?”

“What are you asking?”

“We’ll need to have a wedding out here after I restore this
old thing.” He nodded up at the gazebo. “Will you marry me here this summer?”

“You want to – marry me?”

He took her hand and pressed it to his lips. “I picked out
the ring, but I won’t have it until next week. I wanted to ask you properly
over Christmas, but I couldn’t wait.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“I’m hoping it’ll be a yes. I know I’m rushing you, but I
can’t wait. I’ve fallen deeply, madly in love with you.”

“You – love me?” she squeaked through new tears.

“Yes.” He brushed his lips against hers. “You took me by
surprise. When you showed up here that night, I thought you’d stay a day or
two. I never expected to fall so fast and so hard.”

“Me either.” She kissed him. “I love you so much.” She
stroked his cheek. “I have ever since that night when we made love on the
couch.”

He smiled. “I felt it that night too, but I wasn’t sure what
was happening. I’ve never been in love before.”

“I want to marry you. I’ve dreamed about running this inn
with you since my first night here. I thought I was being crazy, but I came
here for you. I know I did.”

“I’m glad you did. I needed you.”

“We needed each other.” She hugged him indulging in his
strong hold.

“This is only the beginning.” He held her tighter. “We have
the rest of our lives.”

“To make fantasies into realities.” Something drew her here
that warm night in September and it was the same thing that had made her stay.
A force she never fully understood until now.
Him
.

“At Pleasure Inn.”

Coming in the
spring of 2013

Book Two of the
Pleasure Inn Series:

Indulging the Professor

About the Author

Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember.
As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the
laptop is never far. The plots and dialog have always played out in her head,
but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered
the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she
can't be stopped.

Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two boys.
When she's not chasing after her kids, she's busy writing, attending PTO
meetings, kickboxing, and scrapbooking. She hopes you'll get lost in her words.

She
loves connecting with her readers. You can find her here:

http://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ella-Jade-Author/186959391390708?ref=hl