Lucas came to his feet, crossing the room toward her. “I’d take your advice,” he offered obliquely.

“Yeah?” She tipped her head as he came closer, deciding he meant it as a compliment.

“Especially the part about slowing down to enjoy the people you love.” He took her hands in his and drew her to her feet, a gleam in his slate-gray eyes. “I’m going to enjoy loving you right here and now.”

“That’s not what I meant,” she told him, with a playful smack to his upper arm. Still, she couldn’t help the flutter of her heart as he leaned in for a kiss.

“Really?” His arms snaked around her, tugging her close. “You give the best advice I’ve ever read. And your book clearly stated that I ought to make love a priority in my life.”

She sighed, relaxing into his strength, thinking back to last night, and the night before that, and the one before that. “I believe you already have.”

“Well, we’re still, technically, on our honeymoon.”

“We’ve been married for over three months.”

“I read somewhere that the honeymoon lasts for at least five years.”

“Not in my book, you didn’t.”

“Then, you should add that part.” He kissed her again, deeper this time, and his hand slipped beneath her blouse, sliding its way up her back.

Amelia was already asleep, but there were still a few staff members wandering around the house.

“Lucas,” Devin warned.

“Hmm?”

“Get your hands away from my buttons.”

He chuckled deep in his chest as the doorbell chimed in the front hallway.

Footsteps sounded in the hallway as one of the staff went to answer, and Lucas slowly drew back. He gave Devin a peck on the tip of her nose, whispering, “later.”

Devin was fine with that.

Muffled voices sounded in the distance, and Devin quickly recognized Lexi’s.

“They’re back?” she asked Lucas. “Why didn’t you say something?”

“I didn’t know.”

Just then, Byron’s large frame filled the opening between the hallway and the great room, with Lexi clinging to his arm.

Devin squealed and rushed toward her friend. “How was the honeymoon? Did you like Tahiti?”

Lexi showed off a bare arm. “Take a look at my tan?”

Devin pulled her into a hug. “You look fabulous, healthy, rested.”

The two men shook hands, and Lexi coughed out a laugh. “Not so much on the rested.”

“She slept on the plane,” said Byron, turning to wrap Devin in a warm hug, while Lucas did the same with Lexi.

“First chance I’ve had to sleep in two weeks,” Lexi chided.

“She exaggerates,” said Byron.

Devin drew back. “So, what did you decide? How long can you stay in Seattle?”

With Lexi’s house here and Byron’s ranch near Dallas, there was a pretty big geographical divide to overcome.

Byron and Lexi exchanged a look.

“What?” Devin prompted, hoping Lexi wouldn’t have to leave immediately for Texas.

“I hired a new ranch manager,” said Byron. There was a glow in his eyes, as if he was keeping a secret.

“So, you can spend plenty of time in Seattle?” The hopeful note was clear in Devin’s voice.

Instead of answering, Byron looked to Lucas. “Steve called me.”

Lucas frowned, his eyes narrowing. “What did he want?”

“Out.”

Lucas cocked his head to one side.

“Out of what?” Devin asked.

“Pacific Robotics,” Lexi squealed.

“No way.” But a slow smile was forming on Lucas’s face. “You didn’t.”

“The hell I didn’t,” said Byron. “He seems to think he’s going to take South America by storm. He was looking for a quick sale to raise the capital, and I gave it to him.”

“It has to be approved by the Board,” Lucas drawled.

“I’m pretty sure I’ll have Amelia’s support,” said Byron. The toddler adored her Uncle Byron. “And we brought you a bottle of Macallan Fine and Rare, 1926. Just in case we had to grease the skids.”

Lucas grinned. “I’m liking your chances.”

“Does this mean what I think it means?” Devin was getting impatient.

Lucas tugged her close, tucking her against his body and kissing her temple. “It means, they’re going to live here in Seattle. Byron’s going to be my business partner, and we’re all going to live happily ever after.”

Barbara Dunlop

writes romantic stories while curled up in a log cabin in Canada’s far north, where bears outnumber people and it snows six months of the year. Fortunately she has a brawny husband and two teenage children to haul firewood and clear the driveway while she sips cocoa and muses about her upcoming chapters. Barbara loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through her website at www.barbaradunlop.com.