Page 85 of Fast Justice
“They are. I’m lucky to have them.”
“Thanks for bringing me here.” She leaned close to trail her fingertips down the side of his cheek, down his neck.
He met her gaze, his blood heating at the sensual promise and love in her eyes. “Thanks for coming with me.”
It took way too long to get back to the hotel. Once there, he hurried her into the elevator and caged her in against the wall, his hands in her thick, glossy hair as he kissed her with all the hunger and need he’d been suppressing all day. By the time they reached their room, they were starving for one another.
Their clothes lay scattered hastily on the carpet as he took her down on the bed and covered her naked body with his own, then proceeded to make love to her until she was crying out his name and arching beneath him in climax. Only then did he allow himself to let go and lie panting for breath in her arms.
Groaning in utter contentment, Mal rolled over and pulled her into his arms, cradling the side of her face with one palm. “I’m gonna marry you,” he whispered.
She stilled, then arched an inky brow, a slow smile curving her mouth. “Is that right?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She hummed and wiggled closer, sliding a sleek, bare thigh over his hip. “Well we’ll see about that, won’t we? First you’ll need to talk to my father. Not that I want or need my father’s permission or even care whether he approves or not, I just like the nostalgia of it.”
“Already did.”
She blinked at that. “You did? What did he say?”
“Something about wondering whether I could support you financially.”
She huffed and rolled her eyes. “Of course he did.” She slid her finger down the length of his nose. “But you still haven’t asked me.”
He’d intended to wait until tomorrow after dinner, where he’d planned to propose in a romantic spot he’d picked out in the park bordering the restaurant. But fuck it. He didn’t want to wait another day to do this.
Rolling out of bed, he rummaged on the floor for his jeans, and pulled out the ring.
Turning back to her, he sank down on one knee, held up the ring and reached for her hand. He’d made up a little speech yesterday before flying up here, but damned if he could remember any of it with her staring at him with that kind of love in her deep blue eyes, so here went nothing.
This strong, smart, unbelievably brave and beautiful woman owned him. She filled all the empty spaces in his heart, in his life. Going through it without her was unimaginable.
He took a breath, and spoke from his heart. “Rowan, I love you for the incredible woman you are, but also for the man I become when I’m with you. I want to build a life together, have a family with you. Will you marry me?”
She smiled so wide her teeth gleamed in the half-light, then she launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging tight. “Yes. Yes, I will.”
He groaned and squeezed her hard, burying his face in the curve of her neck. Mine. She was going to be his forever.
“I can’t wait to see Pops tomorrow night and tell him to his face that you bought the cow,” she murmured.
Mal’s eyes sprang open in surprise. Then he burst out laughing. “Sweetness, I can’t wait either.” Taking her hand, he slid the ring onto her finger and tipped her face up for a slow, thorough kiss.
—The End—