He's actually smiling with his eyes, studying us, watching like we've managed to capture something that's eluded him his entire life.
“If you don't mind, Bruce, I'm gonna take her for a walk. It's decent out there today and we'd better enjoy it.”
By Bay Area standards, it's actually fairly chilly. It doesn't stop him from pulling me into his arms and helping me into my coat. Then we're off, riding in his brand new truck, something he picked up after coming home with some of his big bonus. The old one would've been fine with a few repairs, but he wants a clean slate.
He wants to start over, and I'm read for anything, as long as I'm at his side.
Chris is oddly tight-lipped the whole trip. I recognize dad's private beachfront as we're pulling into it.
“Really? Jesus, it's going to be like forty degrees out here by the water!”
“You've got me for warmth, babe, and that's all you need. There's something we've gotta get done by Christmas. Come on.”
He kills his ignition and steps out, heading down to the beach. Cold or not, I'm curious, and I follow quickly behind him, as fast as my new boots will carry me.
He can't keep his eyes or hands off me since I broadened my wardrobe. I'm going to need it for the internship coming up now that I've got my degree. Dressing to impress landed me a SEAL, and it's going to get me an awesome job too.
The breeze isn't as bad as I expected. The Pacific looks stormy as ever, slapping the sands in loud, angry waves. Chris stands next to the little bar he took me behind our first night, after I watched him coming out of the sea like something from a legend.#p#分页标题#e#
My warrior prince. My destiny.
It's all true, as cliché and campy as it sounds.
“This is where it all started,” he says, wrapping an arm around my waist, pulling me close. “You remember that night like I do, babe? I relived it a thousand times while those fucks were bashing me in the face.”
“Of course. It's all that kept me from breaking down every night too. I mean, that night and all the others, everything we've had together. Here all alone, trying not to click on the latest news to see if they'd executed you...”
I don't mean to tell him about that, but it all comes seeping out.
“I'm alive, and so are you.” He parts my legs and pulls me in, grinding my hips on his, reminding me how alive and insatiable he really is when I feel the bulge. “Believe it or not, I didn't drag you here to fuck.”
“No?” That surprises me.
I was sure he had something kinky in mind. Maybe he'd throw me down in the sand, strip off my clothes, and force me to get warm with him on this cool, December beach. Why do my nipples feel so hard just thinking about?
“That's for later. You'll ride me all goddamned night after I show you this.”
What's he doing!? The world condenses and swells a little brighter as I feel him put his lips on mine, then watch as he sinks to his knees.
He grabs my hand with the same ferocious confidence he always carries, only now it's stronger, mysterious. When I see his other hand reach into his pocket, producing a little black box, I almost pass out.
“Oh my God! Chris, are you...?” I bite my tongue.
I need to let him speak. If this is what I think it is, riding him is just the beginning of how we're going to spend our night.
He pops the box open and I catch a glimpse of a gold ring studded with jewels. Big rocks, far more than any SEAL ought to be able to afford. It looks antique too, and I want to pick it up, but my eyes are too glued to him to do it.
“Marry me, Delia Burr.” It's a command, not a request, and I smile so hard my cheeks sting. “You burned me up the first time I ever got my hands on you, and showed me how good a woman can be in Vegas. I killed for you, and I'll die for you too. Something this intense only comes along once in a lifetime. I'll be damned if I'm gonna let it slip away. We started out fucking, having fun. I teased you like you were my kid sis, and I loved you like it too. I love you more now, and I want the entire package. I want forever. No retreat, no going back, and no regrets.”
He stands up, shoving the warm ring against my palm, holding it there so tight and hot it's like my palm is on a heating rock.
“You feel that, babe? That's our entire future. Everything I'm gonna do to you. This world's a cold and dark goddamned place at times, and you're my light. You'll be my wife, plus the hottest mom I'd ever want for my kids. You'll have time to write more stories with a smile on your face in between how knocked up I'll be keeping you.”
“So confident,” I say softly, barely able to speak through the giddy, heartwarming storm in my blood. “What if I say no? What if I want to take things a little slower, just to wear your bad boy act down, take the edges off?”