Take Me I'm Yours
an excerpt

Marion swore she could still feel Graeme’s lips on hers. Her heart fluttered at the memory as she walked down the street toward her car. He had tasted faintly of mint and coffee, a flavor somewhat interesting, though not displeasing. And the way his lips brushed hers in a tentative gentle kiss…

She pressed her hand against her abdomen to still the butterflies.

Just want in God’s name did she think she was doing? She had never ever asked a man out to dinner. What made her think she should start now?

Maybe it was something intoxicating about blowing Ethan off. Maybe she had been reborn on the sidewalk there with Graeme.

Or maybe she just liked him.

She had to figure out just what she was going to cook. And then what she was going to wear. Because they were of equal importance. The meal and her choice of wardrobe had to be both pleasing to him and a little spicy. What would smell so good while it cooked that he salivated and then when he saw her it whetted a more masculine appetite?

The only person that could help her with her small dilemma was her chic best friend, Delilah.

Pausing in the stifling heat, sweat rolling down her back, she rummaged in her bag for her cell. When she finally found it, she flipped it open and called her friend who happened to be on Speed Dial Number Two (since voice mail was reserved for the number one spot).

“Yello.”

Marion grinned at her friend’s answer. “Hey, Del.”

“What’s up, girl?”

“I need some help. I’m having this…friend over for dinner tonight and—”

“Wait. Friend, as in strictly platonic friend. Or friend as in, let’s get naked and have fun, friend.”

“Um…”

“Okay, since it’s the latter—”

“I never said that!”

“You paused, Mar. You paused. I can totally tell when you have a I-want-to-get-naked-crush on someone.”

“I don’t!” Marion protested. “He’s just a friend. That’s all.”

“Uh huh. You keep telling yourself that and I’ll just pretend I don’t hear you. Now, I’d suggest you wear the thigh-high stockings and the highest heels you have…”

“Del,” Marion groaned. “I swear he’s not that kind of guy. He’s nice.”

“Mar, there are two kinds of men in this world. Nice men who want to get you naked and not-so-nice men who want to get you naked.”

“What?” Marion knitted her brow, confused, and then the light bulb went on. “Ohhh…right. But Graeme isn’t like that.”

“Graeme?” She could hear the recognition in her friend’s voice. “Graeme who was that Scumbag Who Shall Remain Nameless’s best man?”

“Right.”

Delilah sighed heavily and Marion could picture her exasperation. It made her smile. “Why are you calling me then?” Delilah asked.

Suddenly her reason for calling seemed ridiculous. She bit her bottom lip, trying to decide how to ask her friend the silly questions cluttering her brain. What was she doing with Graeme? He could never want her in a million years. He was good-looking and sweet and…Ethan’s former best friend. What if Marion decided she really did want to get back together with Ethan? Then there would be that uncomfortable moment of breaking up with Graeme to go back to the man who had broke her heart.

“Hello, Mar?”

“Oh, right. I, uh—”

“Oh, girl. You need an intervention. I’m on my way.”