Perfect for the Beach by Lori Foster, Janelle Denison, Kayla Perrin Read Free Book Online Page A

glanced toward Cary and Axel. They were no longer struggling, but neither were they getting up. She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry to intrude …”
    Cary scowled. “You were eavesdropping, weren’t you?”
    “Yes.”
    He shoved to his feet, managing to kick Axel twice on his way up. “Say something besides yes, damn it.”
    Nora lifted her chin. “All right. I did eavesdrop but you did it first. And stop cursing at me. And while you’re at it, you look like an idiot rolling around on the ground.”
    That startled Cary, and he grinned—until he noticed Booker still had her hand. “What the hell are you doing, Booker?” He strode forward. “Turn her loose.”
    Now that he was free, Axel bounded up. “Why don’t you want to marry Cary? Hell, he’s a good catch. All the women want him.”
    Nora blinked while watching Cary’s face go blank. His left eye twitched, then he jerked around with a snarl, but Booker caught him before he could reach Axel.
    To avoid more physical conflict, Nora rushed to answer. “I don’t want him to feel coerced.”
    “Why would he feel coerced?” Booker asked.
    “Because I told him I wanted to get married.”
    “But not to me.” Cary looked very aggressive again, making her frown.
    “You didn’t give me a chance to explain.”
    “Explain now,” Axel suggested. He was busy dusting himself off, so he didn’t see Cary reach for him. He got shoved a good two feet and barely stayed upright. “What?” Axel said. “I’m curious, too, you know.”
    Nora couldn’t help it—she laughed. When all three men stared at her, she laughed some more. Misunderstanding, Cary started to turn away, but she caught his arm, pulled him around, and hugged him tight. “I’m sorry. But it’s funny, seeing grown men, doctors, grappling like little boys.”
    Cary stood frozen for only a moment before his arms came around her. With his mouth touching her ear, he whispered, “That’s all most men are—little boys at heart.”
    “I love you.”
    Cary froze again. He started to push her back so he could see her face, but Nora held on.
    Behind them, Axel whispered, “What’d she say?”
    And Booker replied, “Shh.”
    “You love me?”
    Nora nodded against his chest. “And I want to marry you, too, if the offer still stands.”
    “Why’d you tell me no the first time then? Not to belabor the point, but I’d never proposed before. It sort of took it out of me.”
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to feel that you had to marry me just because we … you know.”
    She could hear the grin in his voice when he whispered, “Sex had nothing to do with it. Especially considering I blew it.”
    “You did not!”
    Axel said, “What’s that?”
    Cary turned to him with a scowl. “Booker, if you want your brother alive and well, you better drag him out of here.”
    Booker chuckled. “Promise to invite us to the wedding and we’ll both go.”
    “Yeah, sure, whatever.”
    “I had to leave anyway,” Axel announced. “All things considered, Patti’s probably out of the question.”
    Nora flashed him an angry look. “She’s definitely out.”
    “That’s what I figured. So I better go, uh, let her down easy.” He winked, and together he and Booker went through the house. Seconds later, Cary and Nora heard the front door close.
    Cary turned back to her, and this time Nora could see the love in his beautiful green eyes. She laughed again and squeezed him tighter. “I’ve been in love with you for months. Thank you for not giving up on me.”
    “You were more than worth the chase, Nora.” He tilted her back. “Now, about my substandard performance Friday.”
    “You were wonderful,” she insisted yet again.
    “Care to give me another shot at proving how wonderful we can be? Like … right now maybe?”
    Her heart started racing at just the suggestion. “Yes.”
    “I’ll wear a rubber this time.”
    Nora smiled. “I doubt one time will do the deed, but you did say you wanted