Dangerous Relations (31 page)

"Does Friday night's offer still stand?"

Brett kissed her gently. "What offer? Refresh my memory."

She poked him in the ribs because she knew he was teasing her. Knew, too, that he needed
her to spell out what she wanted, for her sake and his.

"Your offer of marriage."

"Ah, that. Let's see," he mused, stroking his chin. "Think you can put up with a bad temper?
With a little girl who hates broccoli? And a house you didn't choose?"

Ardin held his face in her hands. "I think I can manage. Now tell me why you want to marry
me."

"Because Leonie and I love you and need you more than anything in the world."

Their lips met. Ardin sighed as she sank deeper into his embrace. His hands cupped her
head as his tongue sought possession of her mouth, possession she was eager to surrender.

The phone rang. It rang again. With a groan of exasperation, Brett got up to answer it.

"Yes, Vera, we're all fine. Yes, Ardin's safe. Yes, it's a shock. Wait a sec. Here she is."

He handed Ardin the phone. She ran her free hand down the length of his body and smiled
when his eyes went woozy.

"Hi, Mom, what's up?"

She made soothing sounds as her mother vented her anxiety and concern, longing to return
to Brett.

"And Renata's made a remarkable recovery," Vera said. "She called to tell me if you decide
to stay in Thornedale she wants to hire you as her attorney."

"What gave her the idea I was thinking of staying here?" Ardin's voice went breathless as
Brett nibbled at her neck.

"I wouldn't know." Vera must have had x-ray vision, because she said coyly, "Goodnight,
Ardin dear. You and Brett must be busy. Visit me soon, and bring the little angel."

Ardin hung up and smiled. "You'll have to get used to an intrusive mother-in-law."

He folded her in his arms. "Sweetheart, it will be my pleasure."

Marilyn Levinson is a former Spanish teacher and the author of mysteries and
books for children and young adults. Her first children's book, AND DON'T BRING JEREMY,
was a nominee for six state awards. NO BOYS ALLOWED has sold over 200,000 copies.

More recently, Marilyn has been writing mysteries for adults. Suspense Magazine
awarded A MURDERER AMONG US a Best Indie of 2011. The sequel, MURDER IN THE AIR
is available on Amazon and Pubit. Her ghost mystery, GIVING UP THE GHOST, came out in
April with Uncial Press. Recently, Untreed Press has epublished her short story romance,
"I'm Getting Married."

Marilyn is a member of The Authors Guild, RWA, The Mystery Writers of America,
Sisters in Crime and the Guppies. She's a co-founder and president of the Long Island
chapter of Sisters in Crime.

Marilyn lives on Long Island with her husband, Bernie, and their brat cat,
Sammy.

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