“I know,” she whispered. “I just needed to hear you say it. Write it. Whatever. Actually can you say it?”
He lowered his head to hers. “I love you. I’ve loved you from that night in Nice.”
He kissed her then, slow and deep. She was ready to sink into it completely, into him completely, when he set her away from him with a determined movement.
“Hey,” she protested. “That wasn’t—”
The words died in her throat as he pulled a jeweler’s box from his inside pocket. “You weren’t supposed to be late this morning. I was going to give you this.”
Her heart jumped into her mouth as he flipped the box open. Nestled inside the blue jeweler’s box sat a diamond eternity band that sparkled in the light. “You can have another if you like,” he said huskily, “you can have ten. But this is my promise to be your constant, Bailey St. John. Marry me.”
She shoved her hand at him. He slipped the ring on. The diamonds, hugging her finger in an unending circle of fire, made her heart take flight.
He brought her hand to his lips. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes.”
“Good. After this meeting, I’m taking you home to celebrate.”
“After?” she pouted.
“I just gave you direct responsibility for all marketing activity. You’d better take the helm while you can.”
“True,” she murmured. “I do love you, Jared Stone. I’m not afraid to say it.”
His gaze darkened. “You can tell me that again tonight. Over and over.”
She did. Many times as he proved his nickname All-Night Jared Stone was aptly earned. The ring sparkling on her finger made that just fine with her. He was hers; he would always be hers, she knew that. And in his arms, Bailey finally found herself. Not the old Bailey, not the new Bailey, just the Bailey she was destined to be.