by Carly Keene
I want her again. I want more. I can’t wait to be capable again.
“I love how you feel inside me,” she gasps against my chest. “And I think I love you.”
I love you too.
I gather her up in my arms. “You’re sure I’m not too old for you.”
“I’m sure.”
“And it’s not too soon for us to feel like this.”
“It’s probably too soon,” she admits. “I just feel like I know, already.”
“Well,” I say, happier than I ever thought I could be. “Let’s just live like this for a while, and see if we feel like making it forever.”
She raises her head to kiss me, and says something like, “big long,” and “you mythical beast.”
“What?”
June laughs. “Never mind.”
Epilogue
Finlay, two months later
I’m nervous.
I mean, I had lunch with Wade last week and told him what I was thinking. And then I swore him to absolute secrecy and threatened to castrate him if he spilled the beans. He crossed his heart and hoped to die, all dramatic, but his eyes were serious. “You love her,” he said.
“Yeah. Ride or die, you know?”
He blinked. Then smiled. “Well, she deserves that.”
“And she’s gonna get it.”
We shook hands. I felt like that was as much permission as I was going to get, and maybe all I needed.
So now I’m here outside Halo, and the backseat of my five-year-old Toyota is packed full of stuff for the evening. I booked a room at the Jefferson downtown, and made plans for room service. I went shopping at Amore Lingerie, too. Then I got Alison Sadler to call and ask for a 5 p.m. appointment for some hair treatment that would last a long time, and to insist that she needed it with June. This morning I told June that I had reservations at a nice restaurant after work, and if she could be ready at 7 when I came to pick her up, that’d be great.
“Sure,” she said, and kissed me. She tasted like vanilla wafers.
I’ve been on pins and needles all day.
I’m nervous, and I’m not. Because it’s my girl June Rose, on both counts.
The clock ticks over to 5:03, and I know that inside, June’s probably wondering why her 5 p.m. appointment is late. I check my pockets.
It’s go time.
I step in and have a word with Makayla, the shop owner. I hand her the cash for June’s appointment, because I don’t want her to miss out on work opportunities just because I got a wild hair to give her a little vacation. From the back of the room, Wade winks at me.
“Hey,” June says, coming up to hug me. “Ooh, you look nice. And you smell nice.” She leans up for a kiss. “You’re a little early. Want to hang out while I give a perm?”
“I don’t think you have a perm,” I say, trying to keep a lid on my smirk.
“Sure I do. Makayla, what’s her name again?”
“Alison Sadler.”
“Yeah,” I say. “You don’t remember Dr. Sadler?” She blinks. “That I work with? Who diagnosed Wade’s appendicitis by sticking her finger in McBurney’s spot and making him scream?”
“Oh,” she says blankly. Then, “Oh. Her?”
“She canceled,” I say. “So you get me instead.”
She puts her hands on her hips and looks me up and down, one eyebrow raised. It’s sexy as hell. “You don’t need a perm.”
“No, I don’t. I don’t even need a haircut.” I grin at her.
“That’s because I cut your hair last week. In your kitchen.”
“Yep.” My grin gets bigger. “So it looks like you’re free for the rest of the day. Go change, if you want.” I know she doesn’t like to go out in her work clothes if she can help it. She shoots me a suspicious glare, but then she disappears into the back room.
“Let me see it,” Wade says, and winks at me again, holding out his hand.
“No.”
“Oh, come on.”
“No. Do you really think you deserve first look at it?”
Wade shrugs. “Worth a shot, anyway.” I roll my eyes, but I can’t help smiling at him. He’s smiling back. “Ride or die.”
“Absolutely.”
When my June Rose comes out of the back, she’s wearing a silky blue dress that makes her eyes look really warm, and clings to every curve like it loves them. I whistle at her, and she grins. “You clean up nice, yourself, Dr. Gunn.”
“That’s Doc McKnife, to you. Are you ready?”
She pulls her jacket off the hook and turns back to me. “Sure.”
“Oh, you dropped this.” I go to one knee, pulling the box out of my pocket. “June Rose?”
She gasps.
“Will you marry me and be my forever girl?”
Tears spill down her cheeks, but she’s smiling too. “Oh, Finlay,” she says. “Oh, Fin. Yes. A million times yes.”
Ride or die. And I’ll die happy.
THANK YOU!
Person who read this book, you have my deepest appreciation. You make everything worthwhile, and I throw you a thousand kisses, plus virtual puppies (who will never pee in your house). I'd love a review, if you can spare two minutes of your valuable time. It will mean more to me than I could ever express. Thank you again. I'd love to connect with you! You can sign up for my newsletter here, to get breaking news, cover reveals, giveaways, and cool stuff.
COMING SOON
ALISON
Heart Doctors Book 5
Alison's been heartbroken since she moved away from her soulmate in high school.
Tommy's been lonely -- and angry -- since she left.
Now that he's back stateside after twelve years in the Marines, can they mend their broken places?
About the Author
Carly Keene writes short steamy romance packed full of hot instalove between sexy, assertive men and the fantastic women they fall in love with. A lot of sweetness, plus a lot of steam! If you’ve ever wished that Hallmark™ movies showed what happens in the bedroom, Carly’s books are for you. No cheating or cliffhangers, just guaranteed happily-ever-afters.
She’s a small-town girl who lives in Virginia with the love of her life and a crazy goofball dog.
You can connect with Carly on social media at the links below, and at carlykeene.com.
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Also by Carly Keene
Christmas Lumberjacks Series:
1 Holly Dreams
2 Christmas Presents
3 Christmas Angel Wishes
Christmas Lumberjacks Collection
Heart Doctors Series:
1 Noah
2 Deena
3 Maddox
4 Finlay
5 Alison (preorder)
Heart Doctors Box Set (preorder)
Found My Valentine
Shenanigans & Malarkey
1 Prone to Shenanigans (in progress)
2 Prone to Malarkey (in progress)
