Accept Me by J. L. Mac Page A

evaporating into thin air. I’m partly puzzled and partly irritated. No. Scratch that. My level of frustration has just rocketed to somewhere between fuming mad and livid indignation. I’m supposed to marry this man and he expects me to tuck tail and head for the hills? He should know me better than that.
    “You can’t be a part of this, Jo. I won’t put you at risk and I won’t be able to keep my eyes on you at all times.” He moves past me and rounds his desk.
    “A part of what, exactly?” I demand an answer from him. He can’t do something brash or dangerous or illegal, for that matter. I won’t let him jeopardize himself in any way.
    “It doesn’t matter. You just can’t be here.”
    “Bullshit!” My hands are on my hips and I can feel heat warming my cheeks.
    “Haven’t you had enough? Haven’t you seen enough to know that running as far and as fast as you can is the smartest thing to do at this point?” Damon shouts from behind his desk. He has one hand planted palm down on the wood, anchoring him in place. His free hand is raised, motioning towards his destroyed office door. “I’ve wanted nothing but the best for you. I’ve never tried so damn hard to be anything for anyone. But you…” He lifts his hand from his desk and points directly at me. “Dammit, Jo. For you, I’d do anything, except put you at risk to be hurt. And that’s exactly what will happen if you stay here.” The last part of his speech makes him sound like a conquered man confessing a truth and it makes my heart sink. “I’m a constant reminder of everything negative, Jo.” Damon drops into his leather office chair in a heap.
    It rips me apart to see my Big Man so plagued by a past that he’s unwilling to deal with. He doesn’t have to accept his past—maybe not now and maybe not ever, but I do need him to accept me. If nothing else, he has to accept me, my help, my shoulder, my ear, and my love… all that I have to offer.
    “You’re a constant reminder, all right.” I round his desk and rest my hand on his coarsely whiskered jaw. “You remind me every day exactly why I said yes. The way you look at me,” I slide between him and the desk, placing myself between his legs, “the way you keep me safe,” I lean forward to place a sweet kiss on his forehead, “the way you think of me first.”
    Damon turns his head to the side and allows me to pull him close to my chest. His arms reflexively wrap around my waist and it’s a good sign that I may be winning this battle.
    “The way you rescue me from myself,” I continue softly, planting another kiss in the same place, “the way you look at me,” I cup his cheeks, pulling him back just enough to give me the right angle to drop yet another kiss on the bridge of his nose, “the way you touch me.”
    His eyes slip closed as I tilt his head back and lean in to press my lips to his chiseled jaw. He sighs and I know he’s coming back to me.
    “The way you love me,” I say just above a whisper. My thumbs stroke over his defined cheekbones until his eyes open, burning bright with pure love and lust. It’s the definitive signal that I was hoping for. I’ve persuaded him. I’ve won the battle. This time .
    His nostrils flare as he inhales deeply and his jaw clenches. A growl emanating from deep down surfaces just as his big hands take my hips into a vice-like grip, lifting me from my feet. “Loving you is all I’ve ever wanted to do, Jo.”
    My heart leaps in my chest hearing his sweet confession. Damon’s expert hands glide the sash of my robe from its loops. The silk slips easily from my shoulders, revealing me to him. His eyes roam freely over my body. Nothing has changed. From the first time he took me and every time since, he takes a moment to appreciate every curve, unabashedly looking his fill.
    He places one tender kiss between the swell of my breasts. He looks so defeated right now and I’d give anything to make it better. I lift my hand to tame the