by Claire King
He took that laugh into his mouth, kissing her deeply. He wanted both arms wrapped around her, but contented himself with crushing her between his body and the reception counter. And while his mouth moved and his heart healed, he realized how grateful he was for the last few years, whatever pain they’d brought. They had also brought Grace to him.
He hugged her, kissed the crown of her head. “I’m sorry, Grace,” he said against her hair.
She pulled his face to hers. “Don’t say it again, Daniel. Don’t say it again. It’s nothing compared to this.”
“No,” he agreed, kissing her face, her neck. “No, it’s not.”
He wound his right arm around her neck, head-locked her, clutched her close. He leaned back far enough to meet her eyes. “Will you stay? Will you stay and let me buy into the practice? It’s big enough for both of us.”
She grinned. “If you promise to do all the dairy preg-checking, I’ll stay.”
“Deal. And I want to get married. Will you marry me, Grace?”
“Yes.” Grace laughed. “But you really should have asked that one first. Your priorities are showing, Daniel.”
“You’re my priority, Grace,” he said, kissing her nose. “My first priority, always. We’ll have very tall children, you know.”
“And we won’t make them play basketball if they don’t want to.”
Daniel laughed again. “No, honey. No basketball.” He hugged her tight, felt her damp cheek against his. It amazed him still how she met him nearly inch for inch. He smiled against her hair. “Well, maybe just a little basketball.”
ISBN: 978-1-4592-4106-0
THE VIRGIN BEAUTY
Copyright © 2000 by Claire King
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