Lindsey nodded and moved towards her father. The minute she was within his reach, he pulled her into a bear hug, holding her tightly and rocking. “I missed you,” he said softly.

Lindsey looked up at him, fighting back tears. She couldn’t believe how good he looked. “I missed you too, Daddy.”

“I want you to meet Elizabeth,” he said, motioning towards a short, dark-haired woman, who pushed to her feet and smiled.

She looked familiar . . . oh my. Lindsey remembered. “Aren’t you one of the nurses from the treatment center?”

She nodded and laughed, her eyes friendly and happy. “Yes, I’m the only one who would put up with your father.”

Lindsey laughed, feeling herself relax ever so slightly. “Well, that makes you a saint, doesn’t it?”

Edward laughed with the two women. “Lindsey, Elizabeth has agreed to be my wife.”

The words hit her with such surprise she sank down into a chair. “W . . . wife?”

Elizabeth reached out and patted Lindsay’s hand as Edward sat down. “Yes, but I know I can never replace your mother nor would I try. I love your father very much, and I promise to be good to him.”

Lindsey looked at Elizabeth and then at her father. He had changed, and she would venture to say this woman had a lot to do with those changes. Lindsey smiled. “I’m very happy for you both.” She paused. “I mean that.”

“Good, because we’re happy together,” Edward said, as he looked at Elizabeth and smiled.

Lindsey watched the two of them, a smile turning the corners of her mouth up. No doubt, these two were in love. Her mother would want them to be happy. A rush of emotion threatened. What she shared with Mark had been special. She’d allowed fear to take it from them. “If you two will excuse me, there is something I need to do.”

Edward’s hand reached out and grabbed her wrist. “The last time I saw him, he was at the bar.”

Lindsey swallowed and nodded. She didn’t ask how he knew who she was looking for. No doubt Maggie had told him. “Thanks Daddy,” she said softly.

* * * * *

Standing at the bar, Mark made like a hermit. Socializing was the last thing on his mind. If it wouldn’t have been downright rude, he would have passed on the party.

Shit. That was a damn lie. No way would he have passed on seeing Lindsey. It tore him up to know she was in town, but she hadn’t even called him. She’d blown him off like a bad day, and it hurt like hell. He’d actually thought he might be getting over her until he heard she was coming to town. All those tucked-away emotions had roared to life, and refused to be put away.

How he was going to see her, and act unaffected, he hadn’t a clue.

Why he had ever thought getting involved with Lindsey was a good idea, he didn’t know. Tipping back his drink, he finished it off. Like he’d had any option. She’d had him by the balls the moment he set eyes on her. He was pitiful. There’d never been an inkling of hope for his heart. On that note, he ordered another drink. Though he wasn’t a big drinker, tonight was an exception. Anything to ease the pain of the knife she had planted in his chest and kept twisting. His entire situation was ironic—no, a joke, a bad joke on him. Paxton was thriving, and he was even getting along with Edward. Hell, he’d even become great friends with Steve. A shared near-death experience tended to build friendship. Even Greg had high-tailed out of town. Everything had come together, but still he wasn’t happy.

Because he missed Lindsey.

* * * * *

He was standing alone, looking incredibly sexy in his tuxedo. And she knew her fascination with him, her need to be with him, hadn’t been imagined. Passion, hot and fierce, raced through her veins. But it was so much more than that.

She needed him in every way possible.

Her mouth grew dry, and her pulse raced dangerously fast. Nerves flip-flopped her stomach. God, how she had missed him. As if he felt her gaze, his head lifted, and their eyes locked. Oh, those eyes. They enticed her with their shrewdness—so assessing, so amazingly seductive. One look from him had always been enough to make her knees rattle. His gaze slipped down her body in a slow inspection that was hot and intimate.

For the briefest of moments, emotions flashed in his eyes, maybe even anger, but then they were gone. He pulled the shutters down, blocking what was inside from her view. Completely still, he just watched her: no smile, no welcome home. Of course, what had she expected? She’d pushed him away time and time again. She would have to go to him. It was her turn to expose herself, to risk being denied.

But he was worth it.

Slowly she stepped forward, never taking her eyes from his, not stopping until she was directly in front of him. “Hi,” she whispered a bit breathlessly. Heat sizzled in the air between them despite the uncertainty of their relationship.

His eyes darkened, and for a split second, she really thought he might reject her. Silence filled the air for what felt like a lifetime. She had forgotten just how big he was, tall and broad, and incredibly masculine. Finally he spoke, “Hi, yourself.” His voice was soulfully deep, a velvet perfection that gave her goose bumps.

She wanted to touch him—no, she needed to touch him. There was no option—it was a physical need, so real it was like hunger. Lindsey reached out and ran her hand down his lapel, the touch making her burn for more. “You look very handsome.” And sexy as sin.

He reached up and put his hand over hers, his eyes loaded with unspoken meaning, with desire. His touch warmed her body, and made her ache. “And you look like pure temptation,” he said in a voice as soft as a caress.

A slight trickle of relief filtered into her mind. At least he wasn’t denying he wanted her physically. It was the encouragement she needed to step closer to him. Grasping both his lapels with her hands, she said, “Yeah?”

His voice was husky as his hands settled on her waist. “Oh, yeah.”

She swallowed and wet her dry lips. His gaze dropped to her mouth, and she knew he wanted to kiss her. And, oh, how she wanted him to. It felt like forever since she had felt those sultry, warm lips on hers. “I’ve missed you Mark.” Her voice cracked with emotion.

Mark looked down at her, so beautiful, so everything he wanted in his life. But when would she leave him again, get scared and tuck her tail and run? Was he convenient for the night, a chance to ease her loneliness while in town? She missed him. The words rang in his head over and over. She had been gone for months, not one phone call, and now she suddenly missed him.

He had suffered enough heartache to last a lifetime over Lindsey. No way could he watch her walk away again. As much as he wanted to drag her off and made wild, passionate love to her, it was best to keep his distance. When she left, and surely she would, he would be screwed over again. The thought made him drop his hands to his sides.

His voice was icy. “You have a funny way of showing it.”

“Mark—” Lindsey started to plead her case when the loudspeaker came on.

Maggie’s voice filtered through the room. “It’s time for a special tribute. If you could all gather around.” She paused and there was a shuffle in the room. “Lindsey and Mark, can I get you both up here?”

Lindsey pulled her bottom lip into her teeth. Her eyes flashed with something that resembled desperation. “No,” she said, surprising him as she flattened her hands on his chest. “Promise me you’ll hear me out before the night is over.” He stared at her, trying to get a grip on what he was feeling.

Maggie called for them again. Lindsey’s eyes held a plea. “Please, Mark.”

He’d never seen Lindsey seem so willing to lay herself on the line. Something in her voice, and in her actions, touched him deep inside. It wouldn’t hurt to at least hear her out. Decision made, he didn’t say a word, but he took her hand in his, loving the feel of her soft skin against his rough palm. He nodded towards the stage and pulled her behind him, moving quickly towards Maggie.