Bestselling Authors Collection 2012(183)

‘Are we staying here?’ She was finally back on earth and able to absorb something of her surroundings.

‘For a few days.’

‘Then why do you have my passport?’

He chuckled. ‘So you couldn’t say no and run away overseas.’

‘I’d only want to run away with you.’

‘And we will. Very soon. But I thought we could decide where together.’ He twirled her hair round his finger. ‘You’re tired.’

She was. But so happy. She snuggled closer to him and discovered she wasn’t that tired. ‘Once was not enough, Lorenzo.’

‘Demanding wench.’ He rose onto his elbow. ‘You’re always asking me for more.’

She laughed. ‘And isn’t it just such a hardship for you?’

‘No,’ he said, pulling her closer, binding her in his arms. ‘It’s heaven.’

Pure heaven.





THE PROPOSAL

Brenda Jackson





About the Author


BRENDA JACKSON is a die “heart” romantic who married her childhood sweetheart and still proudly wears the “going steady” ring he gave her when she was fifteen. Because she’s always believed in the power of love, Brenda’s stories always have happy endings. In her real-life love story, Brenda and her husband of thirty-eight years live in Jacksonville, Florida, and have two sons.

A New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy-five romance titles, Brenda is a recent retiree who now divides her time between family, writing and travelling with Gerald. You may write Brenda at P.O. Box 28267, Jacksonville, Florida 32226, by email at WriterBJackson@aol.com or visit her website at www.brendajackson.net.





Dear Reader,

This is it! The twentieth book in The Westmorelands series and the fifth book about those Denver Westmorelands. For those two reasons alone I knew this book was special from the moment I began writing it.

I always thought of Jason Westmoreland as the quiet storm. Of the three, Derringer, Zane and Jason, Jason was the one who didn’t have a lot to say and wouldn’t have a lot to say…until it was his time to take center stage. Now, it is his time.

Jason is a man who thinks he knows what he wants, but when he meets Bella Bostwick he isn’t so sure anymore. He thinks he would be happy to make Bella an offer, the ultimate proposal, one he thinks she can’t refuse. What he doesn’t count on is awakening to passion the likes of which he’s never had before. And it doesn’t take long for him to figure out that Bella is the one woman whose heart he needs to conquer.

I present you with another Westmoreland man who has to come up with a plan to get the woman he wants. That one woman who will make his life complete. It’s going to be up to him to prove to Bella that together they can have a forever kind of love.

Happy reading!

Brenda Jackson





Selected praise for

New York Times and USA TODAY

bestselling author

Brenda Jackson





“Brenda Jackson writes romance that sizzles and characters you fall in love with.”

—New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Lori Foster

“Jackson’s trademark ability to weave multiple characters and side stories together makes shocking truths all the more exciting.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Jackson’s characters are wonderful, strong, colourful and hot enough to burn the pages.”

—RT Book Reviews on Westmoreland’s Way

“The kind of sizzling, heart-tugging story Brenda Jackson is famous for.”

—RT Book Reviews on Spencer’s Forbidden Passion

“This is entertainment at its best.”

—RT Book Reviews on Star of His Heart





To Gerald Jackson, Sr. My one and only.

To all my readers who enjoy reading about the Westmorelands,

this book is especially for you!

To my Heavenly Father. How Great Thou Art.

He hath made everything beautiful in his time.

—Ecclesiastes 3:11 KJV





Prologue


“Hello, ma’am, I’m Jason Westmoreland and I’d like to welcome you to Denver.”

Even before she turned around, the deep, male voice had Bella Bostwick’s stomach clenching as the throaty sound vibrated across her skin. And then when she gazed up into his eyes she had to practically force oxygen into her lungs. He had to be the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen.

For a moment she couldn’t speak nor was she able to control her gaze from roaming over him and appreciating everything she saw. He was tall, way over six feet, with dark brown eyes, sculpted cheekbones and a chiseled jaw. And then there was his skin, a deep, rich chocolate-brown that had her remembering her craving for that particular treat and how delicious it was. But nothing could be more appealing than his lips and the way they were shaped. Sensuous. Sumptuous. A perfect pair for the sexy smile curving them.