“Yes, I will marry you!” she yelled.
I rolled her to her back and looked down into her eyes, mine full of happy tears that I let fall freely instead of holding them back so she understood what she meant to me.
“Sweetheart, as soon as I know you’re safe and we can get the documents in your real name filed, I’m not waiting long to make you Mrs. Brewer.”
She reached up and brushed my cheek tenderly. “I love you and can’t wait to be your wife,” she whispered. Then, her voice turned bolder and louder. “Pax, I’m not waiting and hiding anymore. You know it was them at the beach, so why not do what makes me happy now?”
“What are you saying?” I asked hesitantly.
“‘I’m saying that I wanted to marry you yesterday, so let's not wait. I know I have you and all my friends at my back to keep me safe.”
I couldn’t control the beating of my heart or the megawatt smile that took over my face. “God, you’re so fucking incredible,” I told her.
Her return smile was radiant. “You think it’s about time you put that stunning ring on my finger then?”
I pulled her up with me so we were standing in front of the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree and slid her engagement ring onto her slender finger.
“Merry Christmas, my soon-to-be wife.”
ChapterTwenty-Seven
CAPRI
I was head-over-heels for Paxton.
Glancing down at my hand, my heart fluttered at the sight of my exquisite ring. The classic pear-shaped diamond halo ring, with a single row of tiny cut diamonds around the big stone, and a paved band set in white gold, sparkled at me like a beacon of love.
I let out a dreamy sigh.
As much as the both of us had wanted to get married the second he asked, we decided there were other things we should do beforehand, like to get the house furnished and set up.
After that was done, we had a small house-warming party mixed with a baby shower for Gemma just after the start of the year.
It was now the first of February and the girls were all congregating for our annual sleepover. I was completely excited about the get-together. The last couple of times, while I had fun, I’d been keeping so many secrets about myself that I could never fully enjoy the moment with my friends.
This time it was different.
What wasn’t different was the fact that it always seemed like we needed protection, and that was still the case now. Paxton was still sticking to my side until I was out of harm's way. I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d ever be safe. But I’d meant what I said about not hiding. That didn’t mean we were not being careful for everyone's sake though.
It was disconcerting that since the beach trip, everything had been peaceful. Too peaceful that we were all hyper-alert. What were the bad guys waiting for? That was the million-dollar question and one that had kept me up many nights. After the way the hotel scene was handled, I wasn’t sure what they’d plan next, but the unknown was hanging over my head all the time.
I won’t let anyone stop me.
Without a doubt I was terrified for not only myself and the baby, but Paxton and my friends too. But I was moving forward with my new life come hell or high water.
“God you are the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.”
Mind spinning as I got out of the shower, I didn’t notice Paxton standing in the bathroom doorway. I glanced over at his sexy voice and saw an appreciative look etched over his handsome face.
He seemed to adore watching my body change as our baby grew inside me. I swear the man thought he had to examine my every curve in full detail. A little giggle rippled through me at the thought and my skin heated when I remembered what so many of those thorough exams had led to.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
My eyes rounded with shock and my palm flew to my stomach, as my gaze dropped to my tummy.
In a flash, Pax was at my side. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” he asked in a panicked voice.
I shook my head back and forth. “Nothing is wrong. Oh my God, Paxton,” I said, grabbing his hand and placing it on my stomach. “The baby kicked.”
