"Jesse, you can't mean it. I would make you crazy."
"What part of I love you don't you understand? And have you been paying attention at all? Seriously, woman, we haven't had any issues, other than the fact that I'm trying to tell you that you are the center of my universe and you're kind of ruining it."
She studied him then, slowly, her mouth curved and before she knew it, she was chuckling.
"Leave it to my by the book Marine to screw up a proposal so badly. I bet you don't have a ring."
"Nope, I decided tonight you had to marry me and drove straight here. Plus, I figured a woman like you would like to help design it." He shifted his feet. "Of course, you haven't said you would marry me yet."
She laughed and hugged him close. "Yes, Jesse, I'll marry you."
He kissed her then. When he pulled back, he smiled.
"Don't cry, babe. I don't ever want to make you cry again."
She smiled through the tears. "I'm sure you will. Just like I'll make you crazy. But, we'll have each other."
Epilogue
Zoe giggled as Jesse tossed her onto the king-sized bed in their hotel suite. She bounced up and he covered her before she could do it again.
"Not so fast, Mrs. Johnson," he said with a sexy growl. "What was all that tickling me while I was trying to open the door?"
"I thought you liked a challenge."
He chuckled. "I almost dropped you. Maybe I should have just so you would have learned your lesson."
He didn't wait for her response. Instead, he leaned down and gave her a slow easy kiss. By the time he pulled back, her head was spinning. "Hey, there, Mrs. Johnson."
"That's at least the tenth time I've heard you use that name since the ceremony."
"I like the sound of it."
"I'm still amazed we could get married so fast."
"You told Joey you didn't need a big ceremony and you know that set her on the warpath. When she sets her mind to something, there is no changing Joey Santini's course of action."
It had been three weeks since she had agreed to marry Jesse and Joey had taken care of everything. From the dress to the chapel to the reception, nothing was left out. Joey had even made sure she found them a massive suite in downtown DC which was kind of surprising. The most touching moment was having Papa give her away. He hadn't said anything when she asked him to do the honor, just nodded and walked away. No matter what the other guys said, Papa Santini was the sweetest man in the world-other than her sexy Marine.
"It also gave me some time with Jack."
She could tell from his frown he was still worried about his brother. "There's nothing wrong with your brother."
"He called about his garden about five times today. He is obsessed with it."
"Hmm."
"What?"
For such a smart man, he could be pretty slow at times. "He complained more about the neighbor than anything else."
"Yeah?"
"So, I think it has more to do with her than the garden or her dog."
For a second he just stared at her then his expression lightened. "Well, if it's true, that's a relief."
"Now, sir, I would like to figure out how to undo all the buttons on this dress uniform."
"Is that a fact?"
"Yeah, because I've never seen you so dressed up and I have to say, it made my little heart go pitter-patter."
"Yeah? Well, how about I show you something else to make your heart go wild."
And with that, he rolled them over the bed. She laughed knowing that Jesse would be the man who would always send her heart racing and soothe her soul. A woman couldn't ask for more than that.
* * * *
If you enjoyed Tempt Me, a review on Goodreads or a bookstore outlet would be greatly appreciated!
Coming May 20th, the last book of the Semper Fi Marines series, Touch Me.
A man trying to forget.
Jackson Johnson had always planned to spend his life in the Marines serving his country-that is until he came back from a mission with memories he'd rather not have. He feels like he's circling the drain until he meets the new tenant next door. An altercation with her unruly dog has them at odds. That is until he finds himself kissing her.
A woman who doesn't have time for love.
Veterinarian Hannah Richmond doesn't have time for the surly Marine or any man for that matter. Still, resisting his kisses proves futile and soon she finds herself falling for Jack. For the first time in a really long time she discovers she might just want to try for that happily ever after-that is until her past comes back to haunt her.
A Marine determined to prove his love.
Jack knows Hannah is pushing him away because she wants to keep him safe but there is one thing she needs to understand: this Marine will never retreat until she surrenders.
About Melissa Schroeder
From an early age, Melissa loved to read. First, it was the books her mother read to her including her two favorites, Winnie the Pooh and the Beatrix Potter books. She cut her preteen teeth on Trixie Belden and read and reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird in middle school. It wasn't until she was in college that she tried to write her first stories, which were full of angst and pain, and really not that fun to read or write. After trying several different genres, she found romance in a Linda Howard book.
Since the publication of her first book in 2004, Melissa has had fifty romances published. She writes in genres from historical suspense to modern day erotic romance to futuristics and paranormals. Included in those releases is the bestselling Harmless series. In 2011, Melissa branched out into self-publishing with A Little Harmless Submission and the popular military spinoff, Infatuation: A Little Harmless Military Romance. Along the way she has garnered an epic nomination, a multitude of reviewer's recommended reads, over five Capa nods from TRS, three nominations for AAD Bookies and regularly tops the bestseller lists on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. She was named one of the top ten best selling authors on All Romance Ebooks. In September of 2013, Melissa made the USA Today Bestseller list with her book, The Santinis Collection.
Since she spent her childhood as a military brat, Melissa swore never to marry military. But, as we all know, Fate has her way with mortals. She married a man who went into the Air Force, raised her own military brats-both human and canine-and now is happily residing in Virginia with her retired hubby.
You can connect with Mel all over the web:
WEBSITE
TWITTER
FACEBOOK FAN PAGE
HARMLESS ADDICTS
THE HARMLESS SERIES
THE CURSED CLAN
Or email her at: [email protected]Schroeder.net
Other Books by Melissa Schroeder
Harmless
A Little Harmless Sex
A Little Harmless Pleasure
A Little Harmless Obsession
A Little Harmless Lie
A Little Harmless Addiction
A Little Harmless Submission
A Little Harmless Fascination
A Little Harmless Fantasy
A Little Harmless Ride
A Little Harmless Military Romance
Infatuation
Possession
Surrender
The Harmless Shorts
Prelude to a Fantasy
The Santinis
Leonardo
Marco
Gianni
Vicente
The Santinis Collection
Semper Fi Marines
Tease Me
Tempt Me
The Cursed Clan
Callum
Angus
By Blood
Desire by Blood
Once Upon An Accident
The Accidental Countess
Lessons in Seduction
The Spy Who Loved Me
Leather and Lace
The Seduction of Widow McEwan
Leather and Lace-Print anthology
Texas Temptations
Conquering India
Delilah's Downfall
Hawaiian Holidays
Mele Kalikimaka, Baby
Sex on the Beach
Getting Lei'd
Bounty Hunters, Inc
For Love or Honor
Sinner's Delight
The Sweet Shoppe
Turning Paige
Cowboy Up
Tempting Prudence
Connected Books
Seducing the Saint
Hunting Mila
Saints and Sinners-print of both books
The Hired Hand
Hands on Training
Cancer Anthology
Water-print
REISSUES
Telepathic Cravings
Her Mother's Killer
A Calculated Seduction
Going for Eight
Tempting Prudence-The Sweet Shoppe
Cowboy Up-The Sweet Shoppe
Chasing Luck
Coming Soon
Touch Me
The Harmless Shorts
Grace Under Pressure-10th Anniversary Edition
Logan
Now, a peek into the first book of the Semper Fi Marines series, Tease Me.
A man who thinks he has what he wants.
Bran Johnson always knew he wanted to be a Marine. What makes it even better is longtime gal pal TK is now stationed at the same base. Unfortunately, Bran is having a hard time dealing with his feelings when he realizes that TK is considered a hot commodity on base. Worse, he finds himself taking a backseat to her admirers.
A woman who always wished for more.