When he stopped talking, Sally looked from his eyes, shining with love, to the ring and back again. She wanted to scream, yes, I’ll marry you, from the highest mountain, but the words were caught in her throat at the moment. This was what she wanted—the man she loved loving her back…and excited about being a father to Jen. What was wrong with her?
As seconds ticked by, she lost track of time. Finally, Luke tugged on her hand, and she fell forward a step. “Um…Sally, marry me?” His brow was beginning to furrow.
“Yes,” she said, bringing the grin back to his beautiful mouth. “Of course I’ll marry you.”
Luke rose and took her in his arms, lifting her off the ground. Applause and whistles filled the air. Sally started, having forgotten there was anyone else around. Then she laughed and threw her head back in pure joy. She met his gaze and shivered as he let her slide down his front, his brown eyes darkening with lust.
Jen ran to them, and they picked her up, putting her into the center of their celebration. She was so excited, she probably wouldn’t sleep for a week.
Luke beckoned to someone, and soon Matt meandered over, scooped Jen up and deposited her back on his shoulders.
“Did you have that planned?” Sally plopped her hands on her hips.
“Yes, ma’am.” Luke cocked an eyebrow and let his gaze drift to her lips. Not much doubt what was on his mind.
“What else do you have planned?” She glanced around. Many of the workers, including most of the Navy SEALs, were returning to their tasks. The women and a few of the men began to clean up. As soon as lunch was put away, they’d be starting on dinner. “There’s so much to do. I have to help.”
Luke caught her arm before she took two steps and pulled her around in a small arc until she bumped up against him. “Huh-uh.” His lips fluttered over the sensitive skin beneath her earlobe. “Come away with me. Just for a while. Ellen had champagne delivered to our cabin for later, but we’ll toast our engagement now. You, me, naked, bubbles.” He captured her lips and demanded entrance. When she broke the seal for him, he plunged in, twisting, stroking and turning her on with only the movements of his tongue. God, she was weak…but she couldn’t make herself care.
“Okay. For a while.”
“Yes!” He bent and scooped her into his arms despite her protest. “Don’t argue. I’m carrying you.”
Sally curled one arm around his neck and placed the other hand on his heart. With the steady beat of her forever love beneath her palm, she lay her head against his shoulder, letting his gentle strength surround her.
After a minute, she raised her head and met his gaze. “Who should I be? Sally or Annie?”
Luke kissed her forehead, and the air around them seemed to pulse with expectancy. “Either. Both. Whatever beautiful, incredible name you choose, you’ll always be my sunshine.”
About the Author
Photo Credit: Stalnakers Photo Shop
Dixie Lee Brown lives and writes in Central Oregon, inspired by gorgeous scenery and three hundred sunny days a year. Having moved from South Dakota as a child to Washington, Montana and then to Oregon, she feels at home in the west. She resides with two dogs and a cat, who are currently all the responsibility she can handle. Dixie works fulltime as a bookkeeper. When she’s not writing or working, she loves to read, enjoy movies, and if it were possible, she’d spend all of her time at the beach. She is also the author of the Trust No One romantic suspense series, published by Avon Impulse. Please visit her online at www.dixiebrown.com.
Heart of a SEAL Page 29
