Page 128 of Girl in the Water

“I need you too.” She tilted her hips, and then he pushed inside. She was ready for him, wanting him so much, her eyes were rolling back in her head.

“Marry me.”

Now he asked her? She couldn’t speak. He awoke her body like no other man could. And he did it by touching her heart before he touched anything else.

Their bodies melded together, every move needed and perfect.

She hadn’t known that making love would be like this, could be like this. The way he worshipped her body erased the dark memories of her past. And when she saw herself reflected in his loving eyes, shecouldsee herself as someone good, as good as everyone else.

He held her effortlessly. Took her higher and higher.

The deep, primal connection stole her breath. She kissed him with all her heart, all her soul, and wanted the moment to never end.

They marked each other, claimed each other. And her heart soared.

More.She wanted more. Closer.

She moved against him.

He groaned, the sound rumbling up from deep inside his chest. And he gave her everything she needed, drove into her until she couldn’t breathe.

Then they were spiraling into bliss.

Much later, when they lay on the bed in each other’s arms, the phone rang in the living room, the landline. No way could she walk. She was spent. And Ian didn’t look like he was getting up either.

The answering machine picked up.

“Hi, Ian,” a familiar voice said. “This is Carmen Heyerdahl. Phil and I wanted to invite you and Daniela to Lila’s christening. It’ll be at my parents’ church in Philadelphia on Easter Sunday. I don’t have your address, just your phone, so I couldn’t send an invite. I’m calling because we’re hoping you could save the date for us. We’d love for you to be here.” She left a number for them to call back, then the message ended.

Ian grinned. “Let’s go up to Philly and see Lila. I bet she’s grown like you wouldn’t believe.”

Daniela grinned back. “I bet she’s talking.” She held Ian’s gaze. “Let’s go, and while we’re up there, we can invite Carmen and Phil to the wedding.”

He turned serious. “Are you saying yes?”

“I’m saying, let’s be partners forever.”

He made a contented jaguar sound—a deep rumbling purr—and was rolling her under him before she had a chance to tease him about it.

“Let’s celebrate.” Ian kissed her, the kiss deep and searching. Cherishing. Mind melting. Then he whispered against her lips, “We’re going to be together forever, and there’s not one thing wrong with that. Everything about this is right.”

Oh, finally!Daniela kissed him back, floating on the great river ofhappy. Maybe there were rapids up ahead, maybe they’d get battered and bruised yet, but they were in the water together, and they were never going to let go of each other.

“Tell me how much you love me,” she whispered against his lips.

He nibbled his way down to her collarbone. Then lower. “I love you more than piranhas love chicken wings.”

THE END