I’ve just discovered that you’re the lying, cheating spawn of the devil—and you want to marry me?” Dawson winced as the pitch in Mattie’s voice escalated to a level that only he and dogs could hear. Not to mention the words spawn of the devil. How many times had he told himself he would never sink to the same level as his father? Before he could give that any more thought, she started to laugh. But there was a tinge of hysteria mixed in. “I get it,” she said, wiping her eyes. “Dawson, you’re too much. Your first practical joke worked so well, you decided to try another one.” “What joke?” he asked. “The one where you pretended to be interested in me while you were in cahoots with my brother to keep me from having any fun.” He met her gaze and willed her to understand. “Mattie, let’s get one thing straight, here and now. I never pretend.” Especially about what had transpired between them tonight. He couldn’t say for sure about her, but taking Mattie to bed had been the best thing he could remember in longer than he wanted to think about.
