“You’re trying to change the subject.”
“Yes, I am.” Her eyebrows drew together. “Should I be worried that you noticed?”
“Maybe,” Damian admitted. He was a little surprised himself that he had learned to read her so well. “What do you think? Are you over your fear of guns?”
“I don’t know if I’m over it, but I have a new one that definitely outranks it.”
“What’s that?”
“Bombs. I’m afraid of bombs.”
“That’s hardly a phobia. That’s common sense.” Damian reached over and took her left hand, rubbing his thumb lightly over the ring still situated there. “I wonder if there’s any way the government would let me buy this ring off of them.”
“Why?”
“It looks good on you.”
“Thank you, but I can hardly let you spend your money on a ring just because it looks good on me.”
“That wouldn’t be the only reason.” Damian’s chest tightened. He knew he shouldn’t broach this with her right now, but it was as though his mouth had a mind of its own. “I figure if you can pick up a gun, maybe you could get used to having one in your apartment.”
“Holding one and owning one are two entirely different things.”
“I didn’t say you’d have to own one.” He held her hand up and kissed her fingers. His heart pounded in his chest, and knots tangled uncomfortably in his gut. In a true act of bravery, he forced himself to continue. “I never really thought about what would come after I finished SEAL training, but when I put that ring on your finger, I figured out what I want.”
“I don’t understand . . .”
Feeling more adrenaline pulse through him than if he was about to step off a cliff, he forced himself to push on. “I’m saying I want you to marry me.” When her jaw dropped and she continued to stare, he added, “We can have a long engagement if you want, but I want you to keep that ring on your finger. And I want to know it’s there because I gave it to you. I love you.”
Wonder filled her eyes, along with the tears. She didn’t speak, and Damian felt his nerves go on edge.
“Well?”
Her voice was hoarse, and he could tell she was fighting back her emotions, but the words were the ones he so desperately wanted to hear. “I love you too.”
His eyes stayed on hers, and he held his breath for a moment. “Does that mean yes?”
Now she nodded, and her hand reached up to touch his cheek. “Yes.”
She tilted her face up to kiss him.
He brought both hands up to frame her face, holding her there as his heart erupted with joy and wonder, the kiss holding unlimited promise.
“Are you engaged yet?” Quinn called from the back of the plane the moment Damian pulled away.
Damian let out a short laugh, realizing Paige wasn’t the only person he had come to know and love in a short period of time. “Yes, we’re engaged.”
“Congratulations!” Vanessa and several of the men called from the back of the plane.
Quinn’s comment came a fraction of a second later. “It’s about time.”
Damian laughed. Only Quinn would think he was dragging his feet. He shook his head and met Paige’s eyes. “It’s not about time. It’s about timing.”
“Perfect timing,” Paige agreed.
Ignoring the cheers from his teammates, Damian leaned forward once again and kissed his bride-to-be.
About the Author
Originally from Arizona, Traci Hunter Abramson has spent most of her adult life in Virginia. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency. Since leaving the CIA, Traci has written several novels, including the Undercurrents trilogy, the Royal books, Obsession, the Saint Squad series, Deep Cover, and Chances Are, as well as a novella in Twisted Fate.
When she’s not writing, Traci enjoys spending time with her family and coaching the local high school swim teams.
Other Books By Traci Hunter Abramson
Undercurrents
Ripple Effect
The Deep End
Freefall
Lockdown
Crossfire
Backlash
Smoke Screen
Code Word
Lock & Key
Obsession
Royal Target
Royal Secrets
Deep Cover
Chances Are
Twisted Fate
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