He took the bait. His footsteps followed her, and she felt the heat radiating off him across her back. He leaned forward. His warm breath on her neck sent shivers down to her toes, his masculine scent an elixir for every ill.
“Not newfound. Merely hidden beneath my prideful delusion.” He wrapped his arms around her waist. “You are the most enchanting, beautiful woman I have ever met. You are good and kind and generous. I know I don’t deserve you, but I could not let another day slip by without telling you of my true affections.”
She swung about. No man had ever graced her with such compliments, such words of love. Were they true or merely a result of an emotional day? He stood but inches away, his closeness heating every ounce of her. “And what of the Ring?”
He shrugged. “’Tis a mere trinket and naught compared to God’s power.”
She smiled, hope flooding her soul. “Have you made your peace with Him, then?”
“I have.” He grabbed the cross around his neck. “At that moment on the beach when given a choice between you and the Ring, I knew. I knew God was there. I felt Him. I felt His love. And you have shown me His power.” He sighed. “What need have I of some Ring?”
“What of the power you crave, the control?”
His lips curved. “Perhaps I will give God control over my life. Seems He knows far better than I.”
She flew into his arms. “I’m so happy, Blake. ’Tis what I’ve been praying for.” Nudging back from him, she searched his eyes for a hint of any insincerity.Show me, Lord. Show me. But only love beamed from within them.
“I love you, Blake. I have for a long—”
Before she could finish, his lips were on hers. Once again, her world imploded in a pool of pleasurable sensations—loving, caressing, all-consuming. Until naught else mattered but the man whose arms encased her in a barricade of strength and warmth.
He withdrew, leaving her breathless and wanting more.
“Forgive me. I want to be the honorable man you seek. I will not take liberties with so precious a lady.”
“Pah! Take liberties, I beg you.” Her sultry tone shocked even her, but she did not want him to stop. Ever. She kissed him again. Passionately…deeply, wanting more and more of him, and all the while hoping this wasn’t a dream.
Grabbing her shoulders, he withdrew and pushed himself back, a look of both surprise and censure on his face. “Scads, woman. Who knew such passion lurked inside…”
“Inside so virtuous a covering?” she teased. “I am still a woman, after all.”
“Then you give me no choice but to make a decent lady of you.” He winked above a sensuous grin, but then suddenly grew somber.
The elation of only moments before trickled away as she stood waiting.
“I do not deserve you, Emeline. You deserve a hero, a gentleman, as you’ve so often made clear. I am far from being that man, though I sense I am on my way.” He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.
She leaned into his touch. “Ask me, Blake.”
He stared at her quizzically.
“Ask me.”
He hesitated for several seconds as the swish of waves and creak of wood serenaded them while ribbons of moonlight draped them in silver. Then, dropping to one knee, he gazed up at her. “Marry me, Emeline. I promise to become the hero you’ve always longed for.”
Her heart nearly burst through her chest. “You already are, Blake. You already are!”
Rising, he cocked a brow. “Is that a yes?”
She fell into his arms. “More than a yes. A promise.”
Blake lowered his lips for another kiss when the door creaked open. Flustered and angry at the interruption, Emeline leapt back, warmth flooding her face. Thankfully, she gripped the desk before Bandit flew into her arms.
“Sorry fer the interruption, Cap’n.” Finn ambled in, looking embarrassed and shifting his eyes away from the couple. “Shoulda knocked.”
“Indeed.” Blake growled. “What is it?”
“Jist thought ye’d want to know as soon as possible.” Finn gestured to the monkey. “The varmint ’as somethin’ fer ye.”
