Free Be My Valentine by Debbie Macomber Page B

around to her side of the car and opened her door, she said, “Just what are you planning now?” He led her by the hand to the front of the garage, which was illuminated by a floodlight. They stood facing each other, his hands on her shoulders.
    She frowned, gazing up at him. “I fully intend to give you your money’s worth,” he replied.
    â€œI beg your pardon?”
    â€œJason, Jill and your mother.”
    â€œWhat about them?”
    â€œThey’re peering out the front window waiting for me to kiss you, and I’m not going to disappoint them.”
    â€œOh, no, you don’t,” she objected. But the moment his eyes held hers, all her anger drained away. Then, slowly, as though he recognized the change in her, he lowered his head. Dianne knew he was going to kiss her, and in the same instant she knew she wouldn’t do anything to stop him….

Nine
    â€œY ou have the check?” Dianne asked once her head was clear enough for her to think again. It was a struggle to pull herself free from the magic Steve wove so easily around her.
    Steve pulled the check she’d written from his suit pocket. Then, without ceremony, he tore it in two. “I never intended to accept a penny.”
    â€œYou have to! We agreed—”
    â€œI want to see you again,” he said, clasping her shoulders firmly and looking intently at her.
    Dianne was struck dumb. If he’d announced he was an alien, visiting from the planet Mars, he couldn’t have surprised her more. Not knowing what to say, she eyed him speculatively. “You’re kidding, aren’t you?”
    A smile flitted across his lips as though he’d anticipated her reaction. The left side of his mouth rose slightly higher in that lazy, off-center grin of his. “I’ve never been more serious in my life.”
    Now that the shock had worn off, it took Dianne all of one second to decide. “Naturally, I’m flattered—but no.”
    â€œNo?” Steve was clearly taken aback, and he needed a second or two to compose himself. “Why not?”
    â€œAfter tonight you need to ask?”
    â€œApparently so,” he said, stepping away from her a little. He paused and shoved his fingers through his hair with enough force to make Dianne flinch. “I can’t believe you,” he muttered. “The first time we kissed I realized we had something special. I thought you felt it, too.”
    Dianne couldn’t deny it, but she wasn’t about to admit it, either. She lowered her gaze, refusing to meet the hungry intensity of his eyes.
    When she didn’t respond, Steve continued, “I have no intention of letting you out of my life. In case you haven’t figured it out yet—and obviously you haven’t—I’m crazy about you, Dianne.”
    Unexpected tears clouded her vision as she gazed up at him. She rubbed her hands against her eyes and sniffled. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. She wanted the break to be clean and final. No discussion. No tears.
    Steve was handsome and ambitious, intelligent and charming. If anyone deserved an SYT, it was this oh-so-eligible bachelor. She’d been married, and her life was complicated by two children and a manipulative mother.
    â€œSay something,” he demanded. “Don’t just stand there looking at me with tears in your eyes.”
    â€œTh-these aren’t tears. They’re…” Dianne couldn’t finish as fresh tears scalded her eyes.
    â€œTomorrow afternoon,” he said, his voice gentle, “I’ll stop by the house, and you and the kids and I can all go to a movie. You can bring your mother, too, if you want.”
    Dianne managed to swallow a sob. “That’s the lowest, meanest thing you’ve ever suggested.”
    He frowned. “Taking you and the kids to a movie?”
    â€œY-yes. You’re using my own children against me and