“You did this for me?” she whispered, searching his eyes for clues.
“I didn’t put all the books up yet. I thought you might want to do that. And I painted everything white so you could decorate however you want, me being color-blind and all.” He stepped into the room and shut the door behind him, enclosing them in the golden glow of flickering candlelight.
Tears stung her eyes before she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist and squeezing so tight she felt his ribs creak under the strain. The fresh scent of laundry softener and shower gel surrounded her, smells she loved. His deep chuckle reverberated beneath her ear as she pressed her cheek into his chest. She felt the brush of his lips on the top of her head then the heat and strength of his arms around her shoulders.
“I don’t understand,” she whispered into his chest, unable to believe her good fortune. Every day he went out of his way to show her how much he loved her. He stayed beside her throughout Emma’s custody hearing with Judge Winston. They spent the weekends together with Emma and Caleb. And he’d been her date to Mitch and Pilar’s wedding.
With extreme gentleness for someone so large, he disentangled from her grasp and sat down on the window seat, pulling her into his lap. “You’re home, baby. I bought this house for you. For you and me and Caleb and Emma.” He shifted her weight in his lap so she faced him. His eyes searched her face with serious intent.
“It’s perfect, Randy.” She tried to press a kiss to his lips but he pulled back, giving her a scheming sidelong glance.
“Not so fast,” he said. “There’s a stipulation to all of this."
“Oh? Is that right?” Caught off guard, she leaned away from him, eyes narrowed in playful suspicion.
“Reach into my shirt pocket, please,” he commanded.
She complied and drew out a small blue box, its velvet covering plush beneath her fingertips. Her pulse rocketed into overdrive, her heart thudding so hard against her ribs that he surely had to feel it.
“Karly Eriksson, I love you, and if you’ll marry me, I promise to tell you every day for the rest of our lives.” He took the box from her hand and cocked it open, revealing a small silver circlet of intertwining leaves sprinkled with tiny diamonds and emeralds. The ring looked small and delicate as he held it up in front of her, pinched between his thumb and forefinger. “So what do you say?”
“Yes,” she whispered, smiling back at him through a haze of tears. “Oh hell, yes.”
“Thank God,” he said. Relief shone on his face and in the embrace of his arms.
“Did you think I’d say no?” she teased.
“Baby, I wouldn’t blame you if you did,” he replied, before brushing his lips over hers. “I’ve been a huge pain in your ass.”
She smiled against his mouth. “Yes, you have, but I love you anyway.”
Their lips met, and their tongues tangled in a kiss sweetened by trust and desire. She shoved her fingers into his hair, cradling his head. The scent of candles and polished wood filled her senses. She shifted against him, straining to get closer. This was her man, the love of her life, and there was no place else she’d rather be.
Felony Romance Series: Complete Box Set (Books 1-5) Page 53
