Free Anticipation by Patrice Michelle Page A

when he mentally acknowledged she was naked beneath his shirt.
    His woman.
    He approached her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Gathering her close, he nuzzled her neck. “Would an apology for being a complete ass earn your forgiveness?”
    She folded her arms over his and sighed. “I can’t change the past.”
    He turned her in his arms and planted a kiss on her forehead, his heart thumping hard. A lump formed in his throat, but he had to ask. “Are you offering me a future?”
    She grinned and snaked her arms around his neck. Standing on her tiptoes, she spoke next to his ear in a husky voice, “I know you said you’d never ask a woman to marry you again. If you plan to stick to your vow, because men do silly things sometimes, I hope that you’d at least consider the alternative of accepting a woman’s marriage proposal.”
    Jonas’ heart jerked and he set her away so he could meet her gaze. He couldn’t dare hope. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
    Deidre laughed and shook her head. “No. I’m not. I’m just asking you to consider the possibility that the male isn’t the only one who can propose marriage.”
    Confusion settled within him. As much as her statement made his aversion to commitment and opening himself up to being hurt jump front and center in his mind, his stomach twisted into knots. For a split second he’d experienced joyous acceptance of the idea of having Deidre to himself, ’til death did they part.
    A wide grin spread across his face and his spirits lifted as he locked his fingers together at the base of her spine. “If the right woman asked me, I think my answer would be a definite ‘yes’.”
    Grabbing his hand at the small of her back, she laced her fingers with his, a sexy smile on her face. “I’m glad to hear you’re open to the possibility.” She tugged him back toward the bedroom. “Now, about that soft bed calling to us…”
    Jonas quickly scooped her up in his arms and chuckled at her squeal of surprise. As he carried her into the bedroom, he planted a kiss on her throat. “You really don’t think you’ll actually sleep in that bed as long as I’m around, do you?”
    When she responded with a seductive “I’m counting on it, cowboy”, he felt the tension in his chest he’d constantly carried around like a coat of armor start to give way to something akin to relaxation.

Anticipation

Chapter Six
    A couple hours later, Jonas awoke to the sound of his cell phone ringing. Dawn’s light streaked through the green and white curtains as he quickly got up and pulled his phone from his jeans back pocket.
    Flipping open the phone, he glanced at the caller ID and spoke in a low voice. “What do you have, Jeff?”
    “Heya, boss. I roused Jamie at Kicks Footwear and got him to check his records. Good thing for us this particular style of shoe was recently released in the market. Because the manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty, the store keeps track of sales. Only three people have bought the boys’ tennis shoes that match both the size and the shoe tread we lifted near the barn.”
    Jonas straightened his spine as he shifted to sheriff mode. “Give them to me.”
    “Joey Randall, Chaz Blackstone and Aaron Shomar.” Jeff paused for a second and continued. “Motive and connection come to mind. Know what I’m thinking, sir?”
    Jonas’ gaze narrowed. The Blackstones owned the Blackstone B&B that had opened in town a little over a year ago. He knew the Blackstones were friendly with Deidre’s parents, but their son Chaz was a bit of a hothead. There was only one way to find out if He was responsible for the vandalism and destruction on the Flying Wind property. “I think we’re both on the same page. I’ll stop by and pick you up on the way to the Blackstone B&B.”
    “Think Chaz’ll be up that early?”
    Anger festered within him at the thought Deidre could’ve been hurt because of a teenager’s stunt. “I don’t give a rat’s ass if he’s up