Page 44 of Too Guarded to Love (Project VIPER #3)

Six Month Later

O livia kissed her brother on the cheek as the wedding band transitioned to the next song. “I’m so happy for you.”

Kane glanced at Nic on the edge of the dance floor. “And I’m happy for you too. I’ll still kick his ass though if he breaks your heart.”

“If anyone’s going to kick Nic’s ass, it will be me.” Laughing, her heart full to near bursting, she handed Kane off to his new bride and headed toward the man she loved.

Ocean waves rolled in gently behind Nic under the warm October afternoon.

The sight paled in comparison to him in his uniform though.

He’d already given her an orgasm in one of the two dozen rooms in Hudson and Tessa’s mansion before the ceremony on the terrace.

As the guests had moved to the gigantic white tent on the beach, he’d given her another one in a secluded corner surrounded by wedding flowers.

She was hoping for more breath-stealing satisfaction since they were all staying at the mansion for the next two days.

She had a gut feeling the universe would grant them all peace this weekend.

Life with Nic in the heart of the VIPER-verse was hectic, but she wouldn’t trade him and their life together for all the cowboy boots in the world.

Even though she worried like mad when he was away, and Henry Richardson and his network of criminals were still a threat, she had her sisters, her new job at the medical center Tessa worked for, and trips to Atlanta to watch Harlee train, to keep her busy.

And a sexy super soldier to love.

Nic took her hand as she stepped in front of him and led her toward the beach.

She tugged him the other way. “Come with me. I have a birthday present for you.”

“But I have something for you, too.”

“Mine first.” She lifted the skirt of her gown and pulled him up to the terrace and to the side of the house to a small courtyard.

Nic stopped in his tracks. “What in the hell?”

He stepped toward the black thoroughbred tied to a porch railing. He turned to Olivia. “That’s a horse. At the beach.”

“Yup. Your horse. I had him trailered here so I could give him to you on your birthday. Now we can ride together.”

The smile that lit his face was more magnificent than the majestic beast nuzzling Nic’s neck.

She rubbed behind the horse’s ears and grinned because the look on Nic’s face answered the question before she could even ask it. “Do you like him?”

“He’s beautiful and perfect, like you. Thank you.

” He stepped away from the horse and pulled her in for a kiss.

“Seems this connection between us is mutating to mind reading because I put a bid on a farm in Maryland, not too far from DC for me and you, and Captain.” He patted the thoroughbred’s neck. “And now…”

“Dragon.” Olivia smiled. “His name is Dragon. ”

“Excellent.” He got down on one knee and pulled a box from his pocket. “Every dragon leader needs a fierce woman at his side. Will you do me the honor of being mine?”

Olivia stared at the diamond ring surrounded by blue stones, the color of her eyes. She sniffed back tears as love and happiness, and every other emotion they both deserved, filled her chest.

Dragon neighed and nuzzled her hair. She laughed and stroked his nose. “I think he’s spoken for me, but in case you don’t speak his language, my answer is yes.”

Nic stood and slipped the ring on her finger. It sparkled under the setting sun. “Good, because if you said no, I’d have to lock you in a room all weekend and use my superpowers to convince you.”

“That sounds intriguing. Can we pretend I said no?” She held her hand up to gaze at her engagement ring. “Well, after we tell everyone the great news, of course. The girls are going to?—”

He caught her hand and spun her into his arms. “Later. I want to celebrate in private for a few minutes. Can I have this dance, future Mrs. Romero?”

“For the rest of your life, soldier.”