One Night Forever Read Online Free PDF Page B

make what Gretta
    did to your car look like a slight misadventure—only it
    won’t be your car I’m hurting.” Tom paled slightly, but
    stopped his blustering, not looking away from
    Damien. “Do you understand?”
    When Tom nodded, Damien let him go with a
    little shove. Without a word, Tom got back in his car
    and drove away as fast as the battered car would let
    him—just as the police showed up.

    44
    Marteeka Karland

    The officer got out and shook Damien’s hand.
    Brett Carter was a part time cop, and a full time ER
    doctor with an attitude. Such was the beauty of a small
    town. “Neighbors called.” He crossed his arms over his
    chest. “Something about a GTO and a Louisville
    Slugger.” He raised an eyebrow as his gazed wandered
    to Gretta’s direction. “Is there a problem?”
    Grinning, Damien shook his head. “Since Tom
    took off, I’d say no. Though, I’m sure you’ll be hearing
    about it from him later.”
    Brett shook his head and chuckled. “No doubt. I
    can handle him. You should really use more restraint,
    you know.”
    “Wasn’t me.” Damien shook his head. Jerking a
    thumb over his shoulder, he indicated Gretta. “She has
    a soft spot for her sister.”
    Brett’s face split with a wide, satisfied grin.
    “Indeed.”
    Watching the street until he could no longer see
    the car down the block, Damien remained on alert. He
    wasn’t taking the chance Tom would change his mind
    and come back looking for trouble. He noticed Brett
    watching too and met the other man’s eyes before they
    turned to the women.
    Gretta hugged Ariel fiercely, saying something to
    her sister that Damien couldn’t hear. Ariel nodded and

    45
    One Night Forever

    smiled, the conversation ceasing as Damien neared
    them.
    “I think you need to tell me your intentions
    toward my sister.” Gretta lazily hefted the bat to her
    shoulder, her gaze drifting past him to Brett. She
    didn’t act the least bit intimidated. If anything, she
    looked a little more fierce. Challenging even.
    Damien smiled. “I intend to make her my wife, if
    she’ll have me. Though, I confess, you caught me
    before I was prepared to ask her properly. I don’t have
    a ring.”
    Tears formed in Ariel’s eyes. She squealed and
    threw her arms around Damien’s neck, raining kisses
    over his face as the tears fell in steady streams down
    her face.
    “I didn’t mean to make you cry, sweetheart,” he
    murmured, holding her tightly but always aware of the
    babe between them.
    “It’s okay,” she sniffed and laughed as she
    swiped at her eyes. “I’m happy.”
    “So...” He let the word hang between them,
    suddenly aware of his nerves. Gretta had forced his
    hand. He wasn’t prepared for this yet, not having time
    to woo Ariel like she needed.
    “Yes,” she cried. “Absolutely I will marry you!”

    46
    Marteeka Karland

    “Are you sure? We’ve only had one night to,
    uh…discuss this.” He smiled at her. He wanted to
    shout for joy and swing her around in the air in shear
    delight, but he was too afraid of doing something that
    might hurt the baby.
    “One night is all I need, Damien. I’ve never been
    more sure of anything in my life. Well, except when I
    knew I wanted to make love with you,” she laughed.
    He hugged her to him, kissing her mouth
    tenderly. “One night forever then, sweetheart. One
    night forever.”

    47

    Epilogue

    “I understand you have some anger issues we
    need to discuss.” Brett cocked his hip lazily, his
    forearm resting on the butt of his weapon. “Perhaps I
    need to frisk you. You know. Make sure you don’t have
    any concealed weapons.”
    Gretta met his gaze, daring him to try. Brett’s
    cock was at immediate attention. He’d always known
    the woman would be a handful.
    “I don’t need to conceal my weapons.” She let
    the bat fall from her shoulder to rest one end of it on
    the ground. Her hand remained on the hilt. “Anything
    I use will be out and in your face.”
    A slow smile