That got her attention. “Really? You had her arrested?”
“Hell, yes,” he said, scowling. “You were right, Maggie. She could’ve killed one of those judges.”
Her anger left her in a heartbeat and she had to lean against the dresser to steady her suddenly weak knees.
“So let me turn the question around on you,” Connor said softly, taking another step farther into the room and disturbing what little equilibrium she had left.
“What question?” she asked warily.
He took a step closer. “Do you really think I’m capable of believing you could do such a horrible thing?”
“Oh.” She stared at him in shock, then had to think about what he’d said. “No. Of course not, but we’ve had to overcome some history to—”
“I’d say we’ve overcome all that.” Another step. “So now, do you really think I believe you could hurt me that way?”
She bit her lip. “When you put it like that, no. But I still think—”
“Don’t think.” He was inches away now, close enough to reach out and tenderly sweep a strand of hair off her face. His fingers remained, lightly stroking her cheek. “Don’t think, Maggie. Feel. Take a chance. Believe. In me. In us. I do.”
“I do, too,” she whispered. “I believe in us. I believe in taking a chance. Risking it all. For you.”
He kissed the edge of her chin. “I’m so in love with you, Maggie.”
“Oh.” She had to catch her breath. “I—I love you so much, Connor. I don’t think I’ve ever stopped loving you.”
“I’ve never stopped loving you, either.”
“I’m so sorry I wasted so much time being away from you.”
“Let’s make up for it now,” he said. “Say you’ll marry me, Maggie?”
“Oh, Connor,” she said, staring up at him. Her heart filled with so much joy she wasn’t sure she could hold it all. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you.”
“And love me always?” He kissed her cheek.
“You know I will,” she whispered.
He nibbled her neck. “And have my children?”
“Oh, Connor.” She blinked away more tears. “Yes. I would love to have children with you.”
He licked her earlobe. “And pick out my clothes for me?”
She laughed and smacked his chest, then threw her arms around his neck. “Yes. Absolutely yes to all of the above.”
“I’m glad you’re packing your bags,” he said, glancing around the room. “Let’s go home right now and start our lives together.”
“Please, Connor,” she said as he swept her off her feet and into his arms. “Take me home.”