Chapter 36
Damon knew he’d made a mistake the minute he said the words. But he couldn’t take them back. Marlie looked poleaxed, but his mouth kept moving.
“I fell in love with you at first sight. It’s the fucking Sinclair Gift.”
“Gift?” she asked weakly.
He groaned. “Ask my father. He’ll tell you.
It’s something that happens to us Sinclairs.
When we fall, we fall hard. Love at first sight.
I knew it as soon as I saw you and your kissable freckles.
I love everything about you. The way you boss me around.
The way you love your family, how you give your all to your students and your players.
You’re so smart and funny. And so fucking sexy. ”
“Oh, um, what?”
He paced again, unable to stand still. “I didn’t mean for it to happen.
But I lied about being a tough guy because that’s what you said you wanted.
I can rock your world in bed. So I figured that’s kind of being a bad boy.
” He paused. “I did actually lie to you about something else. But only by omission.”
“What else?”
“Well, your brother is in love with Jeff, but Jeff swore to me to silence.”
“What?”
He nodded. “I blackmailed him. Told Jeff he had to help me get you to fall in love with me. Told him I’m going to marry you.”
“Marry…me?”
He sighed, feeling as if he was blowing it big time.
But his woman wanted honesty. “I know. You’re out of my league.
Hot, intelligent. You don’t need anyone.
You have a family that loves you and a place you fit in.
I come with baggage. A lot of fame nobody wants.
Yeah, I have money, but who the fuck cares?
Not you. I mean, if you were into rich guys, I’m your man.
But you could have had Ben and you ditched him.
” He rubbed a hand over his face. “I’m sorry I lied about Jeff. ”
“That big faker. No wonder he didn’t tell me about his new boyfriend.” Marlie’s expression darkened.
“He knew you’d shit a brick. But he does love Will. And Will is in love with him too.”
“He told you that?”
“I caught them making out at the Jeff’s clinic. Plus, it’s obvious the way they look at each other.”
“How’s that?”
He stopped pacing and approached her, cupping her cheeks and staring into her eyes. “The way I look at you.”
She gazed up at him. “You really love me? We just met.”
“I know. It makes no sense. Trust me. I’ve never felt this way about anyone.”
“Me either.”
“It’s illogical. I still have a job in Portland and travel half the year.
I know you love Hope’s Turn. Honestly, I love it there too.
Being home the past few months has been a break I didn’t know I needed.
I like the anonymity of the place, where I can just be me.
” He paused. “But this here, this is me too. I love hockey, Marlie. I’m good at it. It’s in my blood.”
“The way basketball is in mine. I know I’m just a high school coach, just a community college teacher, but—”
“Bullshit. There’s no ‘just’ about it.”
She gave him a slow smile. “That’s what I love about you. You accept me for me. You don’t see a difference between us, even though I’m pretty sure you’re the one out of my league.”
“Are you on crack? I’m amazing, but you’re even better. Only a …” He blinked. “Hold on. You love that about me?”
“I love you, you big doofus.”
His heart thundered. “You do?” To his shock, tears filled her eyes. “Marlie?”
She turned her face into his hands then backed away. “It’s ridiculous. I barely know you. But I do know you. You’re sweet and annoying and stubborn and easy to get along with. You’ve been with me, in my tiny cottage, for two weeks and I don’t want to kill you.”
“Good.” He smiled at her.
“We don’t make sense falling for each other so hard, so fast.”
“I know.”
“But I feel something for you I’ve never felt for anyone before. We have so much in common. And I feel like you really do respect me.”
“I do.” God, he loved her so much.
“Even our families are alike. You know my parents will freak out when they realize we’re a couple.”
“Well, your dad already knows I plan to marry you. I didn’t want to blindside him.”
“He—what?” She groaned. “He probably told my mom.”
“She’ll be tough, but I’m pretty sure I can win over your brothers with hockey tickets.”
She nodded. “They’re easy.”
“Jeff likes me because I didn’t tell you about Will. And Will likes me.” He frowned. “You can’t tell them you know.”
“But—”
“You can’t. I have to have an in with your best friend.”
“Well, okay.” She was smiling at him. “Aren’t we supposed to have some major fight and make up? So we know we’re compatible even when we’re not happy?”
“You were super bitchy to me last week, and I didn’t freak out. I love everything about you, Marlie.”
“Everything about me?” She huffed. “We’re too new for ‘everything.’”
“Way too new,” he agreed. “But we’ll learn.”
“Our lives are in different directions right now.”
“But they’d won’t be forever. I just need you to know you’re it for me, Marlie Reynolds. I’m done with other women.”
“How can you be sure?”
He waved his arms in the air. “Are you kidding me? Did you not see Bubbles’ perfect tits? I know what they look like because she has a habit of flashing them around. But when you’re in the room, nothing matters but you.”
“Aw, so romantic.” She dragged him close for a kiss. “Why is this so scary?”
He felt so much for this woman it staggered him. “Because it’s real.”
“I want so much for it to be.”
“Me too.”
They stayed that way, hugging without words. Until Marlie pulled away to remind him, “We can’t even stay here and celebrate in private. We have the Mavericks game tomorrow.”
“It’s hockey, Marlie. I didn’t forget.”
She pretend-glared at him. “Seriously?”
He smiled. “Have I told you how much I love it when you get mean?”
“Then be a bad boy and take me to bed.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He kissed her, stripping her naked, and walked her backward to the bed. “But just for the record, you did see Lars’ and Connor’s cocks earlier.”
“Um, yes?”
“I’m so much bigger, aren’t I?”
“Yes, Demon, so much.”
Satisfied, he took his future wife to bed and pleased her until he’d exhausted her to sleep.
He slept next to her, content with the world and everything in it.
And, like the perfect partners they would forever be, they spent the drive home the next day plotting on how to break the news to their families, and friends, that they’d fallen in love.