Evidence of Desire Read online

  “I know, Azure, and I’m sorry. You’re my family, my wife, I should have believed you.”

  “Well, sorry isn’t good enough,” she snapped, anger and hurt gaining control of her mouth. “We’re through, so please leave. I have a move to organize.”

  “Do I have to get down on my hands and knees and beg? Is that what it’s going to take to convince you that I love you and that I can’t live without you?”

  Staring down at her hands, she slid the diamond ring off her fourth finger, placed it in her palm and offered it to him. “Here’s your ring.”

  On the outside, Azure remained cool and unfazed, but when Harper came around her desk and kneeled down in front of her, she felt her heart melt. Hope surged through her veins, made her think that they could work things out.

  For a long, quiet moment, they sat together in perfect silence.

  “Cupcake, I need you. Without you I feel lost, incomplete, like a cold, hard, empty shell,” Harper uttered, stroking his thumb over her cheeks. “Please don’t leave me, baby. Don’t run away. I will never, ever mistreat you, or let anything come between us again. I swear.”

  At his words, Azure was reminded of the bitter argument that had caused the rift between them in the first place. Should I keep the secret? Or tell the truth and risk losing Harper again? What if he lashes out at me? Choosing to listen to her heart, instead of succumbing to her fears, Azure took a deep breath, then repeated word for word what her anonymous source had said. And when she was finished, Harper looked as if he’d been hit by a truck. His face crumbled, and his stiff body was cold to the touch.

  “No, no, no,” he said, furiously shaking his head. “It isn’t true. It can’t be. My dad would never cheat on my mom. What proof does this woman have?”

  “She didn’t offer any. She said it was time the whole world know the truth and hung up.”

  Harper closed his eyes and dropped his head in his sweat-drenched hands. Could it be true? Could his dad have cheated with his own brother’s wife? Could Marissa really be his sister, and not his cousin?

  “I’ve heard rumblings about my father’s infidelity for years, but I never dreamed he’d be with my…my…” Harper couldn’t finish his sentence, couldn’t bring himself to speak the vicious, ugly rumor out loud. “Cheating on your spouse is an unconscionable thing to do, but to father a child with another woman is despicable, and if…if…my dad had an affair with my aunt Jeanette and Marissa is his daughter, I’ll quit the firm and sever all ties with him.”

  “Don’t do anything drastic, Harper. Give yourself time to sort things out,” Azure said, caressing the hard contours of his handsome face. “If the rumor turns out to be true, it’s going to affect not only your life, but the lives of your family members, and that’s nothing to take lightly. Don’t make any hasty decisions, baby. It would be a mistake.”

  Harper nodded, as if he was considering what Azure said, but he’d already decided to take swift and precise action. Tomorrow, when he got to the office, he’d go see Marissa and together they’d decide what to do. Harper only hoped she was strong enough to handle the truth. He’d bumped into her that morning, as she was leaving the office for court, and was stunned to see her disheveled appearance. Dark circles lined her eyes, her hair was a tangled mess and her movements were slow, sluggish. Had the anonymous source phoned her, too? Was that why she looked stressed out? Something was going on with his cousin, and he was going to get to the bottom of it. “Thanks for telling me the truth. I know it couldn’t have been easy.”

  Harper wore a sad smile, one that tugged at Azure’s heartstrings.

  “This kills, but I wouldn’t have wanted to find out any other way.”

  Lacing her fingers through his, she gave his hand a light squeeze. “Harper, we’ll get through this, together. I promise. I will be there for you every step of the way, no matter what.”

  Spotting her diamond ring glistening on her lap, Harper picked it up and slid it back on her fourth finger. He’d struck gold the day Azure walked into his uncle’s Integrity Estate and back into his life. She had his best interests in heart, and as long as he had Azure by his side, he could survive anything—including the fallout of his father’s infidelity.

  “You’re my heart and soul, Cupcake, and I’ll never take you or our marriage for granted again,” Harper promised, cupping her cheeks and pulling her gently toward him. “I love you, and I plan to spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”

  Their lips came together in a sweet, passion-filled reunion.

  Wrapping his wife up in his arms, Harper held her close to his chest and lavished her mouth with his love. He had the woman of his dreams, a sister designed especially for him, and nothing—not even discovering his father’s cruel betrayal—could ruin this moment.

  “I don’t want to ever lose you, Azure.”

  “Baby, you won’t. You’re the only man I love, the only man I want to be with.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked, brushing a stray curl away from her face. “You’re not going to change your mind and leave me for a smooth-talking baseball star worth billions, are you?”

  A cheeky grin warmed her mouth. “Of course not. Basketball’s more my sport!”

  Chuckling, Harper tightened his hold around her waist and nuzzled his stubby chin against her neck. “What am I going to do with you, woman?”

  “Love me, support me and be there for me during good times and bad.”

  “I can do that. I will do that.” Harper showered soft, light kisses across her cheeks and lips. “I love you, Azure, and I plan to make you the happiest woman in Philly!”

  “I love you, too, Harper. Have from the moment I saw you walking down the halls of Willingham Prep. I knew one day we’d be together, and today, all my hopes and dreams finally came true.”

  Azure kissed her husband on the lips, with all the passion and desire flowing through her. The kiss set off shivers in her body and a strong, deep-seated hunger she had never known. Her heart was overcome, filled to the brim with love and unspeakable joy. They were going to make it, and finally, for the first time in her life, Azure had what she’d always wanted: Harper Hamilton, a man who loved her unconditionally, love handles and all!

  * * * * *

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  ISBN: 9781459241718

  Copyright © 2012 by Harlequin Books S.A.

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