All The Pretty Girls

He shook his head. “No, I’m not kidding. I want to strike out on my own, get away from the Bureau. Maybe start my own firm, consulting. You could come work with me.”

“I’m not ready to leave Metro, Baldwin, you know that.”

“Then you could confer with me on some of the consultancies. Regardless, it’s done. I’m mailing the papers in the morning. I want to be here, Taylor. With you.”

He stood and went to her, hands on her arms, head bent to touch her forehead.

“I’m tired of this life. Tired of watching these crimes, waiting for the next killer to surface. I want more. I want to be with you. Today, tomorrow. Forever. 410

J.T. Ellison

I want you to be my wife.” He took her left hand in his and she felt something hard slide down her fourth finger. She looked at her hand, astounded by the sparkling diamond. Taylor was stu

They faced such danger every day. Evil spread like a cancer through their lives, binding them to the darkness. Marriage seemed like such a hopeful proposition. Happiness wasn’t a luxury she’d thought she could afford.

“Baldwin, I…I don’t know what to say.”

The look on his face broke her heart. “I don’t mean that I’m saying no. I just hadn’t thought about it. Not seriously. I…Baldwin, I hate the thought of losing you. I’m scared that if we do get married, I might lose you.”

“Taylor, that’s crazy thinking. I’m not going anywhere. No one is going to come between us. I’ll keep you safe. I’ll keep us both safe.”

She felt tears prick the corner of her eyes. Baldwin was standing back a few feet now, looking at her as if she might explode. The naked vulnerability on his face overwhelmed her. He took it as a sign that she was refusing, started to leave, to go into the house. Taylor caught his arms. She grasped his hand, brought it to her lips. The tears were coming now, trickling down her cheeks. She swiped a hand across her cheek, smiled All the Pretty Girls

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through the haze that was clouding her eyes. She pulled him close, drawing him back down to her. She brushed his lips with hers.

“No, please don’t. Please, don’t go.”

She took a deep breath.

“Yes.”

®

ISBN: 978-1-4268-2135-6

ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS

Copyright © 2007 by J.T. Ellison.

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