Edge of Defiance
Page 25
All her doubts disappeared and her world brightened.
A delicate gold chain lay on a bed of velvet, with a tiny howling wolf pendant attached.
“You needed a replacement since you gave yours to that fisherman,” Derrick said.
“I love it,” she said and hugged him. She held her hair to the side while he put it on her. His fingers trailed over her sensitive skin, sending heat through her. He kissed her neck and she shivered. She turned, expecting more kisses, but again Derrick backed away.
Before disappointment had a chance to settle inside her, he spoke.
“I have something else for you.” He blew out a deep breath and then knelt on one knee on the floor.
Her breath caught.
He pulled a ring from his pocket—a simple ring with a diamond that sparkled. Her heart stopped as her chest constricted.
“Cassie, I have loved you since I first met you. There has never been any woman who could compare to you. If you let me, I will spend the rest of my life making up for lost time, protecting you and Rose, and loving you both.” He gave a little half-smile. “Will you marry me, Little Wolf?”
Air, light, and love rushed in and she gasped. “Yes.” She dropped to her knees in front of him. “Yes.”
He slid the ring on her finger and the love she felt for this man overwhelmed her. Their journey had been long and lonely, but their paths had finally crossed and connected, and now they’d continue on together. She’d spent years trying to get over Derrick, raising his child on her own and thinking love was beyond her. How wrong she was. He’d shown her that. He was a man worth waiting for. She kissed him gently on the lips. “So many times, yes.”
He kissed her back, the kiss she’d been waiting all evening—all of her life—for, a kiss that fired her blood, took over her senses and sent thrills along her spine. His soft lips caressed hers at first, coaxing her mouth open, and then his tongue swept in and she moaned. His hands cradled her face, tilting her head to give him better access. She let him take over, let him in past all her defenses, and let him love her.
He pulled back, his breathing ragged. “I promise to do my best for you and Rose.”
“I know you will.” She offered her own vow. “And I promise not to question your missions.”
He just looked at her until she smiled sheepishly. “Okay, I’ll try not to question, but I promise not to get angry when you can’t answer.”
He gave her a quick, hard kiss. “That’s more like it. There’s something else…”
“Yes?”
He lifted her closer to his chest. “Promise me you’ll let me know about any dangerous stories you’re chasing. And you’ll let me help you.”
She could see fights in their future. “I won’t stop pursuing the truth because you think it’s too dangerous.”
“I’m just asking you to let me help.”
She thought about it and then nodded. “Sounds fair.”
“And one more thing.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Seriously?”
He laughed. “I want to teach you some self-defense moves. In case you ever get into trouble and I’m not there.” He shrugged. “Knowing you, you’ll definitely need them.”
If he wanted to tease her, then he’d better be ready to be teased back. She purposely licked her lips and his eyes tracked the movement. “Maybe we should start now.” Her voice turned husky.
He nodded slowly, his gaze molten, and her blood heated. “Oh yeah. But I think we need to remove all of your clothes first.”
Her heart sped up and a feline smile spread across her face. “Anything you say, Colonel.”
A Word from the Author
Thank you so much for reading Edge of Defiance. It means so much to me to be able to share my stories. If you enjoyed mine then I would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy my books too. You can do this by telling a friend, or writing a review on either Amazon or Goodreads.
And this is by no means the end of Edge! I love this series and will keep writing it. I think Dante might deserve a story if he’s nice, or even better…if he’s not. ;)
* * *
Contact Me
I love getting email from readers. Please feel free to contact me. trish@trishloye.com
* * *
Newsletter
If you want more of the E.D.G.E. Security series then sign up for my newsletter (click here) to stay up to date on new releases. Or you can go to my web site. www.trishloye.com
Also by Trish Loye
Edge of Control - Book 1
Edge of Reason - Book 2
Edge of Danger - Book 3
Edge of the Season - Book 4 - A Holiday Novella
Edge of Courage - Book 5
Edge of Honor - Book 6
Edge of Fury - Book 7
Edge Security: The Beginning - Book 8 - A Novella
* * *
Edge Security Box Sets
Books 1-3
Books 4-6
* * *
Note: All Edge Security books are stand-alones. They don’t need to be read in order.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my amazing cover designer, Frauke Spanth (yet again!) for the perfect cover for Derrick’s story.
Many thanks to the newest addition to my editing team, Tbird London. You totally are a story whisperer. And as always…Faith, you’re my copy editing rock.
Thanks to my writing girls who have always been there while I struggled to get this book out. Elena, Dara and Steena, I really couldn’t do this without you.
As always, thanks to my family for understanding my crazy emotional ups and downs, and for listening to my wild stories.
And last but never least, the hugest thanks to my readers. Never could I have done this without you.
About the Author
In a nutshell, I'm a wannabe Astronaut and Spy who writes stories to keep the voices in her head quiet. I drink too much tea and love anything that combines salt, caramel and dark chocolate.
* * *
Longer version... I'm a Canadian girl who's had a variety of jobs from a Canadian Army officer to a research scientist to an IT project manager. I finally gave it all up and bowed to the stories clamoring inside me to get out. I stay at home with my children and write when I can. It's a life I love. I hope you enjoy my work.
For more information
www.trishloye.com