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“That’s a relief. Actually that makes this next part easier.”
“Next part?” Was this when he would officially ask her to move in with him?
“You know, don’t you?” His eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Maybe.” She backed away from him, the water growing deeper as she went.
“I’m not sure you do know. You don’t seem adequately freaked out.” He chased after her, his thick thighs slashing through the water.
“Why would I freak out?” she squeaked.
When he reached her, he lifted her into his arms and she wrapped her legs around his waist under the water. “Because you’re easily freaked out.”
“I am not.”
“Well, I’m not saying it now. You’re going to have to guess.”
“No way. He who speaks first, loses.” Everybody knew that.
“Then we’ll say it at the same time,” he said. “On three.”
“One, two, three, then go?” she asked, stalling. “Or one—”
“Marry me, Lily.”
“Oh.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Oh? I should throw you into the waves for that.”
“Wait, no! You caught me off guard. That’s not what I meant to say.” She clung to his neck like a barnacle as he grasped her butt in his palms. She laughed as he tried to peel her off his body. “Don’t toss me! Give me another chance!”
He lowered her against his chest again, buoying her in the deep water. “You’ve got three seconds to answer me.”
“But that’s crazy, right? It’s so soon.”
“If you’re going to say no, McIntire, say it and be fast about it. Don’t make me suffer.”
She palmed one of his cheeks and looked deeply into his whiskey-colored eyes. “Try again, Black.”
“Fine, but this time I’ll make sure you can’t say no.” He stamped her mouth with a hard kiss and then, his gaze locked on hers, said, “I dare you to marry me, Lily McIntire.”
“No fair,” she breathed. “I love to win. There’s no way you can lose that bet.”
His lips parted into a warm smile. “You bet your sweet ass. I know how to rig the game in my favor.”
“I guess I have no choice, then.” She kicked her legs up and dropped her head back, soaking in the bright sunshine as he cradled her in his arms. “I have to say yes.”
“You mean it?”
She sat up to find him frowning. “Cross my heart and hope to—”
“Don’t finish that sentence,” he warned.
“Cross my heart and hope to…live happily ever after.”
“That, I’ll accept.” He turned his head toward the shore. “About time to go to the cabana for another round, isn’t it?”
“You had me at cabana.” She held onto his neck.
