Page 35

I bite my lip as I consider the magnitude of what he’s saying.

Maverick presses a kiss on one of my wrists. “You’re the woman I love. The only one I want and the only one I want to marry. There won’t be anyone else for me.”

I playfully nudge his shoulder because I feel like I’m on the verge of tears. “First a fake date and now here you are declaring you want to marry me. Don’t you think that’s too fast?”

He shakes his head. “No, because I’ve loved you for years but didn’t listen to my heart.”

“Not everyone will be happy if we get together.”

“I’m not interested in what anyone else thinks. Just you.” He stands and pulls me up with him. “I want to give you that steady life. I want to live out my days proving I’m a man you can count on. Hang on, wait here.”

He darts into the house and returns a few minutes later holding a ring box. He opens the box to show me the diamond. “This was my grandmother’s.”

I notice that his hand is shaky.

“Marry me, Tempest. Grow old with me. Have a kid or lots of kids. Let’s laugh together. Let’s argue and make up. Let me love you the way you should’ve been loved all your life. Let me love away the hurt you’ve been through.”

I blink back tears. Us going from so-called enemies to a couple won’t make sense to anyone else. But it makes sense to me. Because stripping away all the what-ifs Maverick loves me. And I love him. And in the end, that’s all that matters.

I hold out my hand and say softly, “I will.”

“You will? You really will?” He crushes me in a hug, swinging me around the porch.

Then he puts the ring on my finger and kisses me over and over. “I love you,” he whispers between each kiss. “Then, now, and all your tomorrows.”

I link my arms around his neck. “I love you, too.”

He lifts me high into his arms.

“Where are going?”

“I’m taking you to get a jumpstart on our honeymoon.”

Chapter 12

Maverick

The next morning, I bring coffee into the bedroom and sit it on the bedside table. Tempest is still asleep, no doubt worn out by how late we were up. After making love, we’d talked well into the night and though I’m dog-tired, I’m happier than I can ever recall being.

Carefully sitting on the edge of the bed, I caress her bare shoulder. She stretches sleepily and her tank top drags across her tits. Even after just having those sweet lips of hers wrapped around my cock last night, I want her like it’s the first time.

She pushes herself into a sitting position and I pass her the cup.

“It’s hot,” I warn.

“Like my husband-to-be,” she says.

I laugh. I love her sense of humor and everything else about her. I feel a momentary pang wishing I’d realized this sooner. But it’s okay. I have plenty of time to make it up to her.

She blows on the liquid, takes a small sip and makes an appreciative sound.

“There’s nothing better than a steaming cup of coffee in bed.”

“Not true,” she replies with an impish grin. “What’s better is the feeling of your beard between my legs.”

I take the cup from her hand and set it aside. “That sounds like a wish that I can fulfil right now.” I lean close and nuzzle her neck. “Show me what you want me to do.”

“Well, since you’re asking so sweetly, I will.” Tempest flings the blankets off and palms herself. “I want to feel your mouth on me right here.”