Page 217 of Positively Pricked

My breath caught. "Oh?"

He gave a slow nod. "Jane?"

Suddenly, I felt almost too breathless to speak. "What?"

"I love you."

"Really?"

He laughed. "Is that such a surprise?"

Yes.

And no.

Either way, it was wonderful to hear. I felt a mischievous smile tug at my lips. "Well, as long as we're confessing…"

"Yeah?"

I almost giggled. "I'm pretty sure I love you, too."

He lifted a single eyebrow. "Pretty sure, huh?"

"All right.Morethan pretty sure. Actually…" I gazed deep into his eyes and confessed the undeniable truth. "I love you, Zane Bennington."

He flashed me a sudden grin. "You'd better."

I smiled back. "Oh yeah? Why's that?"

"Because I've got a question."

"What?"

"Will you marry me?"

And just like that, the world stopped spinning. After a long, wonderful moment, I asked, "Is that a serious question?"

He looked absolutely sincere. "What doyouthink?"

I gave a happy laugh. "I think you're crazy."

"Got that right. And you wanna know why?"

"Why?"

"Because I've waited too long already."

"For what?"

His voice was very quiet. "For you."

I was so overwhelmed, I could hardly breathe. "I know exactly what you mean."

"Yeah?"

I nodded. "Oh yeah."

"So, is that a yes?"

I knew it was beyond crazy. I knew that only a month ago, I thought I hated him. I knew that Zane was foul-mouthed, stubborn, and yes, at times, a total prick.

But I knew other things, too. Topping that list? I loved him, and he was positively perfect exactly the way he was.

I gave a happy nod and said the word that would change everything. "Yes."

He pulled me close and kissed me like I'd just given him the world on a silver platter. But in reality, it washimgiving me everything I never realized I wanted.

It was official. I was positively pricked – and always would be.