Dhillon’s face was inches from hers, the heat from their bodies mingled, electrifying the scant space between them. She was enveloped in his scent, which was now his shower mixed with the saltiness from the bay. He was proclaiming his love for her with that melt-your-insides voice of his, and he was holding a gorgeous diamond ring.
Oh, and asking her to marry him. And live with him in this adorable house.
Her heart stopped for a moment when she looked at the ring. Platinum band, gorgeous diamond that was set flush into the band. Nothing sticking up. It was perfect.
She snapped her eyes up to him. “Did you pick out this ring?”
“Yes.”
“It’s...it’s...” Completely gorgeous and thoughtful. Clearly, Dhillon didn’t want her ring getting caught in her gloves. He had thought about things like this.
“What? If you hate it, I’ll get you whatever you want.” He swallowed hard, and Riya swore there was a bit of panic in those dark eyes she adored.Huh.“But you haven’t answered the question.”
“I don’t hate it, but rings are a hazard at—”
Dhillon’s response was swift. “If it’s not safe for work, I had another idea.”
“What’s that?” She cocked an eyebrow, excited that he seemed to have the whole thing thought out.
“Are you saying yes?”
She smirked at him. “I want to know the idea.”
He raised an eyebrow and kissed her shoulder, where the Ganesha tattoo was. His kiss rocketed completely through her body.
“Tattooed rings?” She inched closer to him, letting her body just graze his. She tilted her head back, so his lips were barely inches from hers.
“That’s right.”
“It’ll hurt,” she warned, bringing her mouth closer to his.
“Not as much as not having you.” He leaned down closer to her, and she couldn’t help herself—her lips melted onto his.
“Is that a yes?” he asked when they broke for air.
“Is Scout moving in with us?” She bit her bottom lip as if this were the deal breaker.
“Riya-D. Will. You. Marry. Me?” He pulled her close so their bodies were touching and looked at her, his eyes filled with the question, begging for her answer.
This was her best friend, her confidant, the man she had loved since she was a little girl. This was her Dhillon-V. “Of course.” She grinned at him, her heart light and filled with love. “Yes, Dhillon-V. I will marry you.”
“Of course Scout’s moving in with us.” He placed the ring on her finger. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Then he pulled her into him and kissed her again. His hands cupped the sides of her face, and she was his, and he was finally hers.
She melted into him, surrendering her heart to the only man she could imagine spending her life with. Her very own personal hero.
epilogue
DHILLON
Dhillon pulled up to the fire station as his three-year-olds chanted, “Are we there yet?” The new house was exactly seven minutes from the station, and the twins had chanted for six of those minutes. No sooner had he parked than his son and daughter were clicking themselves free of their car seats.
“Hold up, you two. I’m coming around to help you.”
Anjali was already standing, helping her brother. “We don’t need help, Daddy. We can do it.”
She was definitely Riya’s daughter. Sure enough, by the time Dhillon walked around and opened the door, both kids had jumped out of the vehicle without even waiting for the door to slide all the way open. They had even unclicked Scout, who bounded out of the minivan behind them.
Dhillon checked the parking lot and saw his mom’s car as well as his in-laws’. His sister must be on the way.
