Silent Love(22)

Sean shrugged. "I decided to woo you with my romantic talents."

The giggle that bubbled up from her disarmed him and went straight to  his heart. If he never got a chance to hear that sound again, his life  would have no meaning. "Romantic talents?"

"I took a quick online course while you've been absent." He held out his  arm for her to take. She looped her arm through his and held tightly.

"And online course?" she said doubtful.

"Ryan gave me the website," he said.

Tossing her head back, she laughed. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Really, I'm not either," he said, smiling down at her.

Escorting her over to the makeshift table, Sean pulled out a chair for  her to sit. His eyes zeroed in on her gliding into the seat. Always a  lady. Reaching into the wine bucket, he pulled out a bottle of champagne  and held it to her, silently asking if she'd like a glass.

"I have to drive," she quietly said.

"I'll take you home if you've had too much," he assured her.

Too easily, she relented. "All right."

He made quick work of uncorking the bottle and pouring them both a  glass. Pulling his chair to her right, he held up his glass. "To us."

"Sean," she warned.

"Elizabeth Connors, I won't allow you to push me away any longer. Enough  is enough. I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you."  He waved his arm dismissively. "Whatever other issues you think you  have, we'll deal with. In the meantime, we're getting back on track." He  set his glass down. "Baby, I can't stand this any longer. I can't  sleep, eat, or function."

Her amazing blue eyes glassed over as she desperately tried to hold back  those tears. "Sean … I … I … " She broke down, set her glass aside, and  buried her head into her hands.

He reached over and pulled her into his lap, cradling her against him,  holding her head to his chest. "Shhhh, it's all right. It'll be all  right," he said even though she couldn't hear him. She'd know from his  vibrations that he was soothing her.

Running a gentle hand through her thick tresses, he kissed the top of  her head and buried his nose in her hair, absorbing her vanilla scent.  He'd hold her for days if that's what it took.

After what felt like not nearly enough time, Beth sat up straight and wiped her tears from her cheeks. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You can lean on me anytime, sweetheart. That's what I'm here  for," he said. There was a nasty little voice in the back of his mind  that wished she could hear his tone, to know how truly sincere he was.  He needed to beat the shit out of that little man.

"You don't understand," she said.

"Then make me understand where you're coming from," he shot back.

Fiddling with his buttons on his shirt, she refused to make eye contact.  "I don't know how to handle your family knowing they're responsible for  what happened to me. I don't know that I'll ever be able to."

Lifting her chin so her eyes met his, he said firmly, "In her defense,  Beth, my cousin lost a lot that day. A man who'd become obsessed with  her took her entire world, but that doesn't excuse what happened at  dinner. You don't have to forgive Courtney for slapping you if you don't  want to. I understand. And right now, she's not a part of my life."

"But you love her."

"I love you more."

Searching his eyes, he knew she could see his resolve on the subject.  She wouldn't be able to argue for his cousin. "What about our age  difference?"

He recoiled. "What about it?"

"Doesn't it bother you?"

"What, that I have a younger woman on my arm. Are you nuts? I'm the envy  of every guy my age," he said astounded, then narrowed his eyes. "Or  did you mean I have a problem being older than you? Or do you have a  problem with my age?"

"I don't … it's just, you'll want children, and I can't have any," she said. Her voice shook with shame.

"Beth," he whispered. "Why can't you have children?" What hadn't she told him? Did she get hurt in the accident?         

     



 

"How could I possibly raise a baby, Sean? I can't hear. I can't own a  pet let alone be left in charge with an infant's life," she squeaked,  her bottom lip trembling.

Staring at her in utter bafflement, he didn't know what to say. Clearly,  her self-doubt ran deeper than he considered. "Honey," he said  sympathetically. "You figured out how to live on your own, right?"

Biting her bottom lip, she nodded.

"I'm sure it was daunting at first, but I bet you picked up on a routine quickly," he assumed.

She nodded again.

"You don't see what I see. A determined, intelligent, loving woman. I'm  positive any child you bring into this world, you'll love fiercely and  find your own way that makes certain you're the best mother, with or  without your hearing," he said confidently, because he was positive of  those remarks. His Beth didn't see how strong and powerful she was, but  it was there in spades.

Turning from him, she gazed out the window, lost in her own thoughts.  Sean didn't push her. This was probably one of those times he needed to  give her a minute to process all that he said. Come to terms with it.  Accept it.

After a few silent minutes, he grasped her chin to face him. Wrapping  his hand into the back of her hair, he pulled her to him and seduced her  mouth with gentle teases. That sugar and vanilla flavor of hers that  was ingrained into him, assaulted his senses. Too long, he'd gone  without her lips against his. Her feather-light touch while she cupped  his cheek made him lose his breath. It was Beth who deepened the kiss,  opening for him and swiping her tongue into his mouth. Such a monumental  moment for her, taking the lead. And he refused to interfere.

When she pulled back, they were both breathless.

"I can't live without you," he whispered.

Instant droplets spilled from those ocean blues. "I'm asking you to give up so much."

"You're asking me for nothing, Beth," he said firmly. "Marry me."  Reaching past her, he plucked a black velvet box off the table and  opened it reveal a stunning three-carat diamond solitaire ring set in  platinum. "We'll work it out together. We'll figure it all out together.  We'll do it all together...as husband and wife."

She openly sobbed. "Sean."

"Say yes, Beth," he pleaded. "Say yes."

"Yes," she breathed. "Yes."

The air left his lungs. She accepted his proposal. He heard it. Quickly,  before she changed her mind, he slid the ring onto her tiny, delicate  finger. A perfect fit. Sean brought her mouth down to his, devouring  her.

She said yes. Beth was his.





Lying naked on the newly carpeted office floor, Sean felt the rug burn  already stinging his back. Beth lay on top of him, her breathing even  and relaxed. Their dinner certainly turned cold by now. They hadn't  gotten around to eating, instead they made love. Twice. The first time  hard, fast, and desperate. The second, slow and seductive.

Running his fingers lightly up and down her naked spin, Sean basked in  the warmth of her body against his. There was a subject he needed to  broach before their night continued, but he was slightly hesitant over  her possible reaction.

Taking her head into his hands, he lifted her so she would look at him. "I need to talk to you."

"Okay?"

"It's about our living arrangement," he said. "Now that we're engaged."

She nodded. "I'm going to have to sell my house. It's too small for us.  You're so large, we'd get stuck in the staircase together."

He laughed outright and agreed. "True, but I actually meant moving in with me."

Tilting her head, she asked, "With you? Is Ryan moving out?"

"No." He shook his head. "We always agreed to live together, even when  we got married. I know it's strange, but you know how extremely close we  are. I couldn't imagine going through my daily life without him in it.  I'm hoping you feel the same about moving in with my brother. I know he  loves you and would love to add you to our home."

Beth sat up, straddling his pelvis. His body stirred...again. She was  the only woman able to illicit a sexual reaction more than twice in a  couple hours. His body knew where it wanted to be attached.

"The house is large enough," she mused, running a finger down the center  of his chest. "I love Ryan, too. He's like the brother I never had."

That sent his heart soaring. She accepted his arrogant, crazy, numskull of a brother.

"My only stipulation is we need an en-suite bathroom," she bartered.

"Done." Okay, not so much bartering, but whatever she wanted she could have.

She laughed. "That was too easy."

"Not so much, I have one more," he warned.         

     



 

She rolled her eyes. "Aren't you the demanding one tonight?"

"I want to marry right away," he said.