It was what he wanted, too. Intensely. But the life he led didn’t lend itself to hearth and home. To a long-term relationship with a woman and having children.
But he didn’t have to stay in this life.
“Marissa, what if I gave up riding with the gang?”
Her eyes lit with hope.
“You’d do that?”
“In fact, that’s why I came here. That’s what I’ve been struggling with.”
“You’ve been trying to decide if you should leave the gang or not?”
“No. Well, yes, but it’s more than that. The reason I knew that Rip was an undercover cop was because I’m one, too.”
“You’re a detective?”
“That’s right. When Rip left the force, I was told about his undercover assignment. Over time it got me thinking. Maybe I should leave, too.”
* * *
Marissa’s heart pounded in her chest, hope building within her. She had thought this to be a hopeless situation with Killer. She hadn’t known him very long but she knew deep inside that she was in love with him. Maybe it was the magic of this crazy island that everyone talked about, because she never would have believed that someone could fall in love so quickly. But she had. And it had seemed hopeless. She hadn’t allowed herself to believe he might walk away from his chosen life to be with her.
“What have you decided?”
“Rip left the force, and I’ve been thinking about that for a long time, but being a cop is all I’ve ever wanted to be. It’s important to me.”
“Oh.” Her heart sank.
“You don’t understand. Being a cop is important to me. Riding with a criminal gang… that’s not what I want.”
He took her hand and gazed into her eyes. “I know you want stability, but would you consider marrying a cop? Even if I stop being undercover, my job has an element of danger. There’s always the possibility that…” He shrugged. “Can you accept that?”
Her heart swelled. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
“Well, I…” He scratched his head and her cheeks flushed at her obvious mistake. “I wasn’t exactly, but… yeah.”
“You weren’t,” she stammered, wanting to run and hide in a corner.
“Ah, fuck, I screwed that up big time.” He dragged her into his arms and pulled her against his muscular, tattooed chest. “The only reason I didn’t ask is because I didn’t think you were ready for the question yet. I was going to suggest that I take a desk job, somewhere close to you, then we date for a while, see how things go.”
He drew back and stared down at her. “And by ‘see how things go’ I mean I intended to date the hell out of you until you were convinced you couldn’t live without me, then I’d pop the question.” He tightened his arms around her, leaving her breathless. “And if you said no at that point, I’d probably drag you to my place and chain you to my bed until you changed your mind.”
Her lips turned up in a smile. “So I take it you’ll continue to be a dominating so-and-so.”
His eyes narrowed, but with a glitter of amusement. “Is that a problem?”
She shook her head. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
His lips captured hers and his tongue drove inside, as if he were claiming her.
After he’d fully explored her mouth and finally released her, she drew in a deep breath.
She knew it was crazy, that she hadn’t known him very long, but she knew that she wanted him in her life. Now and forever.
“So can I save us some time and answer your question now?”
He gazed down at her, his eyes growing calm, and a little distant, and he released his tight hold on her. Then he tipped his head in a single nod.
All at once, it hit her that the big, confident, dominating man who had mastered her so easily, was actually afraid she’d say no.
She almost laughed out loud. But instead, she stroked his cheek and gazed into his deep, amber eyes.
“If you were to ask me to marry you right now…” She felt his body tense and she had to stop from giggling, as she tortured him by drawing in a breath to keep him on edge. “I would say…” She gazed up at him, and finally smiled. “Yes.”
She could feel the tension seep from him and his eyes lit up as he grinned.
“And if I wait to ask?”
She tipped her head. “Well, I don’t know. A lot could change.”
He laughed out loud, then in a sudden movement, he flipped her onto her back and pinned her hands above her head.
“I’m not taking any chances. Marissa, marry me.”
Joy surged through her, but she couldn’t help teasing him. “Is that an order or a question?”