Strip Search
Page 37
"Really sure? We can take it slow."
"Slow is for sissies. I love you, and I want to marry you, if you want me."
"There's no taking this back."
His smile widened. "I did give it some thought, you know. Lots of thought. Lots of planning, in fact. I even found this."
He reached for his shirt, unbuttoned the front pocket, and took something into his grip.
Looking straight at her, his eyes brimming with hope and affection, he placed the object in her palm.
A lone marquis diamond set in platinum. A big diamond. She gasped.
"I have the matching band already bought. You can't say no."
Nicki couldn't stop the smile from stretching the width of her face. "You didn't actually ask."
"On purpose. That way, I don't give you an opportunity to say no. Do you still love me?"
"I love you." She laughed through her tears. "You're changing the subject."
"I'm good at that, especially when I'm nervous."
Mark slipped the ring on her finger. Beautiful. Shimmering. Everything she ever wanted--just like him.
"Is that a yes?" he asked anxiously, gaze caressing her face. "You'll marry me?"
She smiled. "Well, to coordinate with my wedding dress, I would get to add a new pair of shoes to my collection."
"Hell, add two if that persuades you to be my wife."
"Well," she teased, "you didn't finish your audition yet. You're still wearing your pants, and I need to see the whole ... package."
He shot her a seductive smile, complete with those heavenly dimples. "Say yes, baby, and my package is all yours."
Nicki took his face in her hands and placed a soft kiss against his mouth ... then dropped one to glide down his back and cup his ass. She squeezed, and he shot her an amused glance.
"What's your answer?" he prompted.
She sent him a saucy grin. "Start stripping."
Originally from Southern California, Shelley Bradley lives in Texas with her husband and daughter, juggling the many roles in her life: writer, mother, wife, and all-around laundress. She refuses to pick up an iron. Shelley also squeezes in time for fun activities like reading, obsessively studying all things Harry Potter, watching (again) every episode of Trading Spaces, doing step aerobics, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
The author of more than a dozen sizzling contemporary and historical romances, Shelley has been a member of Romance Writers of America for more than fifteen years and has won or placed in more than a dozen contests, including the Golden Heart. She has also received the Romantic Times Top Pick and K.I.S.S. Hero award.
Visit her website at www.shelleybradley.com.
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