She smiled. Her eyes closed as they drove back to Beaufort for their last night. Tomorrow, the first day of the rest of their lives would begin. But no matter where they ended up, she was already home.
Epilogue
Ethan dropped his gym bag on the floor and closed the front door behind him. The heavy scent of fresh paint still hung in the air, but the work was done. It had been almost three months since they’d moved back to Seattle and bought a house. He slipped his shoes off as Murphy came tearing down the hallway. Ethan cringed at the scratching of his thick nails on their brand-new hardwood floors. Murphy jumped up on Ethan’s legs, and Ethan bent and scratched his ears. Satisfied, Murphy turned and ran back toward the living room to find his toy duck.
Ethan leaned forward, opened the zipper inside his bag, and tucked a small box in the pouch of his sweater. Trepidation dampened his already sweat-soaked neck.
“Riley?”
“In here,” she called from the living room. His hands tensed at his sides as he turned into the wide-open living area. Riley stood on the cream-colored area rug, her hair hanging in a high ponytail revealing the smooth lines of her profile. Her perfectly shaped ass shifted in tight jeans as she lifted a painting into her hands and held it up to the wall in front of her.
“I picked this up from work today—I couldn’t resist. What do you think?”
He wasn’t an art guy, and he really didn’t care as long as she was happy with it. As he moved behind her, his hands smoothed over her slight hips to rest on her waist.
“I love it, babe.” The vibrant colors brought warmth and brightness to the room. “It’s just what we need in here.”
She turned to look at him over her shoulder. Her eyes sparkled. Damn, she was so happy. He pressed his lips to hers, and a soft moan sounded from her throat. He’d never get to say what he wanted to if he didn’t hurry up. He pulled away, and then took the painting from her hands.
He swallowed. “I need to—”
“Did Cal call you? I can’t wait to see the baby, I bought her about five outfits on my lunch hour today and—”
“Great. I can’t wait.” He rubbed the back of his neck and his stomach coiled into knots. As much as he wanted to meet Gracie, he couldn’t think about that right now. After he got this over with, they could go to the hospital. He hadn’t known this morning when he’d picked up the ring that Lana would be having the baby today. But he sure as hell couldn’t hold off now.
Riley’s brow etched with concern. “Are you okay? You look a little pale.”
No, he wasn’t okay. His stomach pitched and nausea bubbled up his throat. Of all the things he’d done in his life, none had compared to this moment—and he was scared shitless.
“Ethan you’re scaring me.” Her breath came out in low rasps. He pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to her neck.
“Don’t be. Everything’s fine. I just…need to talk to you about something.”
She pulled out of his hold and slammed her palms against his chest, keeping him at bay. His fingers dug in the pocket at his waist and he held the tiny box in his hands between them.
“Ethan, you’d better tell me what’s going on with you right now. I swear to god—”
He dropped to his knee, bringing his face level with her chest, and cracked open the box. Fear bit at his insides and his chest constricted with the effort it took to breathe. Her eyes widened and her hands fluttered to her throat.
“Riley, will you marry me?” He forced the words to come out smoothly, taking every atom of effort.
Tears filled her eyes and she dashed them away with her fingers. She laughed and dropped down on the rug beside him, launching herself against his chest. He lifted the box and her fingers hovered over the diamond.
“Ethan, it’s beautiful.”
He eased her away from him, plucked it out of the box, and took her hand in his. “I love you more than anything in this world, and I promise to always make you happy—or at least half as happy as you make me.”
She laughed again and he slipped the ring on her finger.
“What do you say? Will you be with me forever?”
Her fiery green eyes turned to emeralds and she nodded wildly. “I want nothing more,” she whispered.
Her cool palm rested against his cheek and she pressed her mouth to his. Heat coursed through him as he took over the kiss, lowered her down onto the carpet, and settled over her.
He’d never get enough of her. And now, he had the rest of his life to make sure of it.
Don’t miss the first book in the Dangerous Distraction Series
In a high-stakes world of privilege, betrayal, and the sexy thrill of the unknown, you never know where a dangerous distraction will lead…
Cal Hart walks a blurred line of honor. The rock-hard former Marine has his lethal skills at the service of the highest bidder. Until a contract comes in to kill Lana Vanderpoel, the sultry, charismatic heiress and billionaire’s daughter. She’s way too sexy to end up at the wrong end of a silencer. So Cal takes the job—and starts planning how to get Lana to safety while he unearths who’s behind the threat…
Lana only knows she’s been kidnapped—and she’ll fight tooth and nail against whoever has snatched her from her life. Her stern-faced captor sends a tremor of ice through her veins, yet a thrill lies beneath her unease. He’s dark and dangerous, his body ripped, honed, and capable. But lust isn’t the same as trust—and whether or not she can believe what Cal’s telling her, there’s at least one person close to Lana who wants her dead…
Up next in the Dangerous Distractions series
Exposed
About the Author
Photo Credit: Daunine McLauchlin/Sol Tree Studios
Samantha Keith resides in Saskatchewan, Canada, with her husband and brilliant daughter, who share her love of literature. Teddy, the family multi-poo, completes her family. Samantha writes steamy, fast-paced, romantic suspense novels in the rare moments she has uninterrupted—even interrupted, she manages to apply words to paper. Aside from her love of writing, her other interests include cooking vegan meals and creating recipes. Abducted came in first place in the romantic suspense category for the Heartland Romance Authors’ Show Me the Spark Contest. Connect with Samantha online at:
AuthorSamanthaKeith.com
Facebook.com/AuthorSamanthaKeith
Twitter.com/AuthorSamantha
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