Although Maddie had suspected that this was where Jack was going with his speech, hearing the words still left her breathless. And for a moment, she didn’t respond, too full of emotion to speak. But then she took his face in her hands and nodded. “Yes, Jack. I’ll marry you.”
He was on his feet in an instant, grabbing her around the waist and pressing a hard kiss to her lips to the delight of the crowd, who clapped and whistled in approval.
Her arms still encircled his neck when he set her back down on her feet and kissed her again, this time tenderly, taking his time. When he at last lifted his head, their friends and family rushed forward to congratulate them with hugs and handshakes and, in Finn’s case, a heartfelt “Dude. . .”
Even Will offered her a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations, Maddie.” He then gave her a sly smile. “Try to keep him in line, will ya? I haven’t had much luck in that regard.”
She returned his smile, not missing the hint of sorrow—or maybe it was envy—in their commander’s eyes. She’d learned a lot about Will in the year she’d been with the Alliance, but she had a feeling her knowledge of the complicated man merely scratched the surface. Perhaps someday there’d be someone who could get through that tough exterior and truly discover the man she’d only caught glimpses of in rare moments like this . . .
It was sometime later before Maddie and Jack finally had a moment to themselves again, and Maddie had to admit she was relieved when Jack took her hand and swept her out onto the veranda where a small bistro table held two flutes of champagne. Strands of lights wound through the pergola, casting a soft glow around the patio and giving the stunning arrangements of flowers an almost fairy-tale quality. The heady fragrance wafted to her on the breeze and she closed her eyes, breathing in the beauty of the moment.
When she felt Jack’s arm encircle her waist, she opened her eyes and smiled up at him. “Thank you for this. I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect evening.”
“It’s not over yet,” he assured her. He released her and took a step back and reached into his jacket pocket, withdrawing a small velvet box. He opened it to reveal a stunning emerald ring.
“My God, Jack,” Maddie breathed as he slipped it onto her finger. “It’s gorgeous.”
He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to where the ring encircled her finger. “Rumor has it my ancestor took this emerald from among the Templar treasures that were secreted away after the order was dissolved, and when he fell in love and married, he had it set into a pendant for his bride. It has passed down through my family, but I thought the stone would make a fitting engagement ring—should you agree to have me. But if you don’t like it, I will have something else made—”
Maddie silenced him with a kiss before murmuring, “It’s perfect.”
“I can’t take all the credit for that,” he admitted, pulling her back into his arms. “Sarah helped me pick out the setting a week ago.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “You are justfullof surprises.”
He gave her that cocky, debonair grin she adored. “I’m glad you think so. Because I just might have a few more planned . . .”
She arched a brow. “Is that right?”
“Mmm-hmm.” The gold flecks in his eyes seemed to dance with mischief. “Would you like a hint?”
She eyed him warily. “I don’t know . . . Maybe just a little one.”
His grin widened, and he leaned down to whisper in her ear as if afraid the guests might somehow hear what he had to say. Or maybe he just liked the way she shuddered when his breath skated across her skin. And if that hadn’t made her shiver with anticipation, what he shared about his plans for them later that evening certainly would have.
She returned his grin with a wicked little smile and draped her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss that let him know she might have a few surprises of her own in store . . .
