“Trent Gibson, will you marry me?”
Joy and gratitude burst through him.“Yes.A thousand times, yes.”
Tears trickled down her face and she sprang to her feet, throwing her arms around his neck.He wrapped her in a tight embrace and lifted her off the floor.She was going to be his wife.
“I love you,” she whispered into his ear.
“And I love you.”He pressed a kiss against her lips before setting her back on her feet.“Am I going to have to start calling you Samantha Gibson once we’re married?”
Her laughter was carefree and radiant.“You may call me whatever you’d like.”
“How about wonderful, amazing, beautiful, powerful, and resilient?”
She sighed wistfully.“You’d better go change.We wouldn’t want to keep Maggie waiting.”
* * *
Samantha didn’t hear any of the words that Trent spoke as he read stories for Maggie.She could only stare at him in wonder.She was going to be married.Really married.To a man who would never hurt her.Never allow anyone else to hurt her either.She had no doubt he would protect her with his last breath.
He was such a good man.Even now, he sat, reading stories for his precious little sister.Benson was right.He was already a father, in every way that mattered.And as his wife, she’d be as much a mother.Something she thought she’d never be.
She laid on top of the blankets beside Maggie.Her little eyes were beginning to droop.It wouldn’t be long now before she drifted off.Trent usually continued to read for a few minutes, to make sure she was deeply asleep, so she wouldn’t wake when they left her.
When they eventually returned to Samatha’s room, Trent closed the door, a hungry smile growing on his lips.“Will you allow me to repeat what I did last night?I haven’t stopped thinking about it all day.”
She hadn’t either.She’d never experienced something so powerful before.“Only a fool would say no to such an offer.”Her stomach fluttered, just thinking about it.“But let’s skip the freckles this time.”
He breathed a laugh, then pushed away from the door and claimed her mouth.His fingers were warm against her scalp as he pushed them through her hair.His tongue sent tingles through her body as it danced with her own.
She reached between them and began untying the ribbons at her throat.He took a step back and watched her work, shaking his head.
“We need to get you some nightclothes that are easier to remove.Surely they can’t all be this difficult.”
“I agree.”She’d originally chosen very modest nightclothes because they made her more comfortable.But she didn’t need that now.“Ella could certainly make something you’d approve of.”
A low hum signaled his assent as she shrugged out of the wrapper.“Get those buttons open so I can pull that over your head and see your incredible body.”
“And what about yours?I want you naked tonight.”
He smiled and started on his own buttons.When the top was off, he stopped and continued to watch her.
“And these,” she said, pulling on the drawstring.
“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”
“Are you hiding something from me?I’m familiar enough to know it’s not the size you’re embarrassed of.”She raised a brow and his whole face bloomed with crimson.
“It’s not that.It’s just… when I touch you, and taste you, it makes me want so much more.”
“We’re engaged now.Do you plan to stay pure until our wedding night?”
He chuckled, shaking his head.Finally, he finished untying them and pushed them to the floor.“Now you.”
“I don’t even get a moment to admire you?”He couldn’t be any redder.She laughed and pressed a brief kiss against his mouth.“Still a perfect gentleman.”
He rolled his eyes.“Hardly.”
He was so sweet.Her fiancé.She unbuttoned her nightgown and lifted her arms in the air so he could pull it over her head.
