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2026-03-14 23:26:18
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A LADY FOR A DUKE 284
Because she loved him. Because she didn’t want to spend her life wishing she’d been brave enough to fight for what she wanted. Because he was sweet and sexy and tender and knew exactly how to push her buttons and drive her nuts, and because she needed him to keep her grounded. But how could she say all that?“Because…I love you,” she said simply. “I fought it, but I do. I want you, I need you. Please don’t go.” She used her dirty sleeve to wipe her face, but more tears trickled down her cheeks as she waited for him to respond.She could hear Lily and her father behind her, but she kept her gaze on Tyler, waiting for his reaction. Was she too late?His expression dark, tense, Tyler stepped closer. Without a word, he cradled her face in his hands and lowered his head, kissing her until her body warmed from the inside out and her toes curled in her soggy shoes.Behind them, Lily screamed in happiness. But then everything faded when the kiss went on and she didn’t care what anyone though
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She finally tossed the shovel aside and placed the fawn into the grave, her chest so tight and full she could only take shallow breaths. “There you go.Nice and snug.”Thunder rolled in the distance and the wind and rain picked up, cold where it hit her cheeks. Lexi ran her hand over the rain-slicked fur of the animal’s neck, then set to work with the shovel again, every movement quicker than the last because she couldn’t stand the sight of it, half-covered in mud. Deer were considered stupid animals but would the mother miss it? Feel its loss. She hadn’t felt the baby move but— Lexi shut down her thoughts but it was too late. The pain came, fast, stabbing, stealing what was left of her breath. When the last shovel of dirt was in place, she turned to go back to the house and the soothing tea she’d left behind, but along the way the light from her flashlight caught a gleam of red.Daniel had towed her car up the driveway to the house so that he could rush to the hospital. He’d put it
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“Because I’m tired of settling. I want a wife who loves me and wants me as much as I love and want her. I want to be with someone who trusts me and wants me enough to share her fears and her secrets and know I’d never deliberately do anything to hurt her. Lexi, I want a proper marriage. But this isn’t it.”She tried to pull away but he wouldn’t let her. His hands tightened over hers, the bug inside lighting up every few seconds. “This is my promise,” he stated roughly. “But you have to decide right now if you’re going to keep it or throw it away. The choice is yours.”Tyler released her hands, staying close because he wouldn’t take that step unless he had to. He saw Lexi's throat work as she swallowed, heard the rasp of her breathing and still he waited for her to speak, to say something, to fight. For them and their marriage, for herself and the future they could have if she’d only try.But without a word she opened her hands and he watched as the lightning bug lit up and took fligh
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Throwing the last of the trash she’d dragged out of the house into the Dumpster, she jumped back when a bumblebee buzzed so close to her face she felt the breeze created by its wings. Her heart thumped hard in her chest and the air left her lungs in a gush, and she laughed at her silly reaction. But it was a similar reaction to how she felt with Tyler. She’d never admit to the belly-clenching, spine-tingling, heart-in-her-throat rush she got whenever he was near. Still it was true, and if weeks with Tyler left her feeling so out of her depth, what would a year be like? Two? She had to stay strong, not let him wear her down. He’d get fed up with her moods and her baggage and stupid issues and walk away for good. It was only a matter of time. Maybe Lily was right about some things, but she was definitely wrong about others. Nothing was worth the fear of loving something you couldn’t control. ________ Tyler felt Paul's stare and braced himself. “Whatever it is, just say it.” Lexi's f
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“Be nice. I worry myself sick every time I'm at home. Now I’m here and I’m spending the day with you.”Lucky me. Who else is going to show up?“Think I’ll go get the rest of the supplies we talked about since Tyler's here to help unload them,” Paul said.“I don’t want him hanging around. I want him gone.” Lexi's head throbbed. “It’s been a week and every time I turn around, he’s here. Why won't he go back to Olkfield? He’ll never be happy here.”Lily stared at her, hurt apparent on her features. “Why wouldn’t Tyler be happy here? You're his wife. This is technically his home.”Arms across her chest, Lexi clenched her teeth so tight pain shot up the side of her jaw. “Why don't you go home too?”“Now, don’t be a witch. And you know, maybe Tyler would be happy if you’d talk to him.”“He left.”“But he came back.”That he had. But why? “You convinced him to, didn’t you?”“I did,” Lexi confessed. “He’s your husband and he belongs with you,” She fiddled with the strap of her purse. “You’re
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Lexi leaned her full weight against the door the moment she heard Tyler start his car. That had to be the hardest thing she’d ever done in her life. But he’d survive—better off for not having her to deal with.“I never realized what it must have been like for you.”Lexi froze at the sound of her father's voice. Tyler's vehicle raced away with a roar of the engine and she felt dizzy from not being able to breathe. Why wouldn’t they all leave her alone?“It was really hard for you too. Losing your mother like that. I was so caught up in my grief that I didn't really pay much attention to you. Instead I carved your life out for you… In a way I thought was right, because I thought I was protecting you. I’m so sorry.”“I survived.” Her hand hurt where it grasped the knob but she couldn’t let go. She’d fall if she did. “If you taught me nothing else, it was how to survive.”“Is that why you’re doing this? Is that why you’re shoving a good man away?”Wasn't it ironic that these words were co
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