Fans of Eloisa James & Julia Quinn discussion

This is one of those rare books where there are two primary love stories. I had a hard time picking which one to share. The hero in this scene has returned to his family’s town for a work-related project.

Heroine had already showered and had on her cotton shorts and tank top for bed when there was a knock at the door. She pulled on a short robe and walked downstairs, turning on lights she’d already turned off for the night.
When she opened the door, her favorite insomniac was there, looking absolutely miserable.
“I’m sorry” Hero said. “I’m sorry I implied that your life is anything less than what it needs to be, for you, for your family. I made this all about me.”
“Yeah, I finally figured that out.” She stepped back and let him enter. He brought in with him that lemon pie scent she’d smelled once before. Regret.
“I don’t know why this place affects me like it does, like I can’t be myself here, even though I always am. I make a point of it. Maybe I’m just protesting too much. Maybe I think if I do come back I won’t be as good an [last name] as the rest of my family. That’s always been a big fear of mine. But, God, it makes me tense just to think about it. I don’t want that. I don’t want society parties and days spent on the golf course.” He ran both hands through his hair. It was still damp, as if he too had recently showered.
Heroine folded her arms over her chest. “Has anyone actually made you do anything you didn’t want to do since you’ve been coming back for visits?”
He frowned. “Well, no.”
“So you’re just rigidly creating conflict that isn’t there. “ She laughed. “Guess what, hero? There’s still some of the Stick Man in you. Get used to it. It’s not going away. “
He went to her couch and sank down onto it. “I’m embarrassed. And so damn tired. Why can I never sleep here?”
“Maybe you’re afraid to relax and let some things just happen.”
“You’re right. Falling for you just happened.” He chuckled and leaned his head back against the cushions. “And that’s the best thing that’s ever come out of coming home.”
Heroine’s arms fell to her sides with surprise. “I keep telling you, stop dropping by when you’re tired. You say things you shouldn’t. “
He lifted his head and looked at her seriously. “Why shouldn’t I say that?”
“Because I’m not entirely sure you know who I am,” she answered honestly. How could he, when she had only recently begun to figure it out?
“On the contrary. I’ve been paying very close attention.”
She shook her head. “Tell me that in the morning, and I might believe you.”
“Okay.” He rubbed his hands on the couch on either side of him. “Can I sleep on your couch again? That was the only good night’s sleep I’ve had since I’ve been here.”
“Okay,” she said, and sighed. “Let me get you a pillow.”
“No, no pillow” he said as he stretched out, then made room for her. “Just you.”
All sorts of things flew through her mind, the most surprising of which was the instantaneous “Yes!” she heard. But she’d been denying those instant impulses for far too long to follow them without some thought first. “Hero….”
“I just want you to lie with me until I fall asleep, okay?”
She turned off the lights again, then walked over to him. He was so tall that she easily fit into his side. He put his arm around her, and she rested her head on his chest. This felt right.
What an impossible situation.
“I’m not sure I can live here,” he said into the darkness, as if reading her thoughts. She could hear his voice deep in his chest.
“I’m not sure I can leave,” she responded.
They were quiet for a while. His heartbeat was slowing to a calm rhythm.
“I think I might try to live here, though,” he whispered.
“I think I might try to leave,” she whispered back.
“But still no chance of turning you into a nature girl?”
She laughed and snuggled in deeper. “Go to sleep, hero.”
And, finally, he did.

Wow! I want to know what book this is from! I have no clue.

I with Irish. I feel like I've read it but I just can't place it.

Have no idea. though like the others, I think it sounds familiar.

I love it! In fact, I love all her books, and I'm so happy she will have a new book out in 2013.

Wonderful choice, Deb!

It sounds like one of Susan Mallery's from the Fool's Gold series. Kind of her style. But since I caught up with all of them in a row, and the characters have their own stories...

She will? Great. I've been waiting.

Late fall/early winter, she says, and she promises sneak peeks soon.

Sounds like a good read.

Its Sarah Addison Allen, The Peach Keeper

Oooh!

Whew. Something just moved up my queue.

Ahh. Haven't read this one but I can see that I need to!

I haven't read it either. I'll have to check her out - just from reading that small snippet I can tell I'm liking the way she writes.