“Yes. Please.” Or just uncork the bottle and pass it over.
The afternoon had been surreal. From the attacker, to being injured, to watching the Hawkeye Security team in action.
She’d had no idea what she’d been swept up in.
After she video chatted with her parents to prove she was okay, Elissa and Jacob had left the ranch. For most of the drive, she’d been quiet, hardly noticing the scenery as she replayed every single event of the day, and the biggest thing for her was the fear that she might never see Jacob or her parents again. Determinedly she’d refused to allow that to happen. Though she wasn’t a fighter, she summoned the strength that had helped her to leave her ex and the determination that helped her deal with her dad’s cancer, and she’d channeled them into determination to fight back.
After opening the champagne, a label even Jacob said he recognized, he looked across at her. “Are you doing okay?”
“I am now.”
“Now?”
“That we’re here.” With you.
Even though it was summer, Jacob had lit the electric fireplace when they arrived. Despite the size of the place, the atmosphere was cozy. And she had his assurances that it was safe.
The threat was over. Rationally she knew that, but it would take time for life to return to normal.
Jacob had allowed her to listen in to all of his conversation with the Hawkeye team. Rollins had hired hackers to get the information he needed, and the FBI was now working the case. From what Inamorata had learned, Rollins had two of his employees observing the ranch. They knew what time deliveries were made, and noted the frequency of the drone passing overhead. The attack on Mansfield had occurred within sixty seconds of his last-ever radio check-in.
He brought her drink to her. “You really did a phenomenal job, Elissa. I’m damn proud of you.”
“Really?” She accepted the glass.
“Yeah. Really.”
They tapped the rims of their glasses together.
“Look, I know my timing sucks, but relationships aren’t my strong suit—”
“You’re ready for me to leave.” Despite what he’d said over the past few days, in her heart, she knew it would end. Unusual circumstances had thrown them together, and it had upended both of their lives. Having some sort of affair had been predictable.
But just as predictable, they had separate lives. He was a man of the land, and she had a full life in the city with her parents.
“What?” He dragged his free hand through his hair. “Jesus, Elissa. What the fuck? No. How could you think that?”
Dumbfounded, she stared at him.
“It’s the opposite. Entirely.” He put down his glass, untouched. “I started to fall in love with you the first night we scened, when you offered your trust. I didn’t recognize it at first. But this afternoon—” He broke off and looked away.
“Love?”
When he met her gaze again, his face was haunted. “I was scared as fuck that I wouldn’t make it back in time. And I didn’t know how I’d live without you. I’ve found peace with you, in bed, in the way we laugh together. Nothing gives me more joy than your happiness. And then… You asked Deborah about Adele.”
Gently, oh so very gently, he captured her shoulders, taking care with her injury.
“For the first time in my life, I’m thinking about a future, about passing the ranch on to future generations. You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted as a wife.”
Unable to fathom his meaning, scared that she was misunderstanding, she remained silent.
“I’m messing this up. Elissa Conroy, I want you to marry me. To spend our lives together. To be the mother of our children.”
Everything he said was making her wildest dreams come true. Then he dropped to one knee, completing the fantasy.
“Will you say yes?” He captured her hand. “Tell me you love me and that you’ll be mine, Elissa.” His voice held an entreaty. “Will you make me the happiest man in the world? Will you allow me to spend every day trying to make you happy?”
“Jacob, I…” Everything they’d gone through was pushed aside. All that mattered was this moment. “Yes. I love you. Being married to you is my dream. I can’t imagine anything more perfect. I want to be your wife. I want us to have kids.”
He grinned. “Four?”
Her heart was racing, and she was giddy from excitement. “No. Two.”
“To start.”
“I thought you were kidding about having that many.” Frantically she shook her head.
“Having babies with you is not something I joke about. We can get started whenever you want. I’ll let you set the pace in case you need time to recover.”
Her mouth fell open when he stood and plucked her glass from her hand. He placed the delicate flute on the mantel before sweeping her into his arms and turning toward the stairs.
“Hold on to me, Elissa.”
For the rest of her life. “Always.” She grabbed his shirt for stability. “This is getting to be a habit I like.”
“I’ve got a few more habits I’d like to establish with you, Ms. Conroy.”
“Do you indeed, Mr. Walker?” She snuggled against the strength of his chest. “Would you like to talk about them?”
“I do believe I’d rather show you.”
“In that case, Sir…” She gave him her cheekiest grin. “What are you waiting for?”
When they reached the master bedroom, he carried her inside, kicked the door closed, then proceeded to show her exactly how he intended to keep her happy for the rest of her life.
For the first time since they’d been together, Elissa was up before Jacob. She turned over in the bed of their borrowed home and watched him sleep.
Yesterday, when he’d stormed into the garage apartment, tension and fury had channeled deep lines beside his eyes. Afterward, when he sat next to her on the floor, he’d offered a reassuring smile, but concern for her had darkened his green eyes.
Last night, their lovemaking had been incredible, but he’d been gentler than she wanted. When she asked for a scene, he said she’d gone through an ordeal and he wanted her wound to heal first.
The only thing she’d wanted was to forget the horrible fear when that man, Rollins, crashed through the door and the terror that rocked when she was afraid she might never see Jacob again.
If she’d had any doubts about her love and devotion to him, they’d vanished in that moment. She was committed to spending forever with him, no matter the sacrifices.
Sometime around two, Jacob had dragged her against him and muttered soothing words until she responded by turning over and blinking her eyes open. Screams from her nightmare had awakened him.
For an hour they’d sat up, and he listened while she talked about the experience she’d been through. He hadn’t dismissed anything she said, and instead reassured her that processing it would help her move beyond it faster.
Comforted, she’d drifted off in the security of his arms.
This morning, in the soft, filtered light of dawn, he looked a decade younger. Gently she smoothed back a lock of his dark hair before sliding from beneath the covers and silently walking to the closet to find a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Then she slipped into the plaid shirt he’d lent her when they took a moonlit stroll after dinner.
In the kitchen, she found a jar containing an assortment of teas, and she selected a calming one. Today, she didn’t need caffeine.
And since he always took such good care of her, she made a pot of coffee for him before going out onto the deck to enjoy the new day, and the first one of their future together.
She’d just taken the first sip from her cup when he joined her, the waistband of his jeans seductively hanging open, his denim shirt unbuttoned to reveal the lean lines of his abs and the sleeves turned back to show off his biceps. “I don’t think there’s a better-looking man on the planet.”
“No?” Holding an oversize mug, he took a seat across from her. “Then we h
ave something in common. I don’t think there’s a more beautiful woman in the universe.”
Elissa angled her head. “It seems we’re charter members of our very own fan club.”
“Membership does have its advantages.”
“Such as.”
His grin was wolfish. “Exclusive access to other members.”
“I’m interested in hearing more about that.”
“Oh. You will. Without a doubt.” He took a drink, then skimmed his gaze down her body. “How are you feeling today?”
“A million times better. Physically as well as emotionally.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Thank you for letting me sort through it last night.”
“In every way, Liss, I will be here for you.”
The nickname was new, intimate. No one else had ever called her that, and she smiled at him, liking it.
“After your bath, I’ll change your bandage. And we can go into town for brunch, maybe do some shopping.”
“If it looks as if it’s healing, can we do something else with our day?”
“Hmm.” He stared into his mug, pretending to ponder her meaning. “Like what?”
His perplexed expression was so comical she had to laugh. “I want to have my wicked way with you. Reverse cowgirl so you can spank my ass while we have sex.”
He arched his eyebrows. “That was specific.”
“And even if my arm is hurting, we can still manage that.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“Come on, it has to be better than lugging shopping bags around for me. Right?”
“Woman, at what point will you realize I won’t compromise your health? I’ll carry a thousand bags before I let that wound get infected.” He placed his cup down, clanging it onto the metal table. “The reverse cowgirl while I slap your sexy little butt will definitely happen. When I say.”
She scowled.
“Give up the fight. I’m the Dominant.”
“And you have my permission to say so.” Her words were carefully selected, provocative and cheeky.
He grinned then, something more feral than playful, and her stomach took a nosedive. “Okay, subbie. Off your ass and up the stairs. I’ll have a look at your injury and then decide what kind of punishment is in order.”
His words thrilled her too much to even pretend to apologize.
He was the man she wanted, the Dominant she needed. No manipulation. No games. Nothing but love and understanding.
“I have one question, Liss.”
She gulped. “Sir?”
“Why are you still sitting there?”
Immediately, happier than she’d ever been, she pushed back from the table. “Just on my way inside, Sir.”
“The faster the better.”
Laughing, she raced across the living room and dashed up the stairs, with him close behind her.
When he reached the bedroom, he slammed the door, then stripped her before backing her onto the bed and spread her legs wide, devouring her with his masterful tongue even as he slipped his fingers inside her.
If this was a glimpse of what awaited her, she never wanted it to end…
Epilogue
“I can’t believe this is happening.”
Jacob grinned at his beautiful bride-to-be as their driver eased to the curb in front of the Gallery Royale in New Orleans’s French Quarter for Elissa’s first-ever opening. Immediately cars started honking, and a bicyclist darted around them.
“I’ll be standing by, Mr. Walker. With tonight’s traffic, give me a few minutes’ heads-up.”
“Thank you.” After exiting the car, Jacob rounded the hood to offer his hand to Elissa. She stepped out in strappy high-heeled sandals and a formfitting red cocktail dress, alluringly cinched at her waist with a sparkling silver belt. A stylist had done her hair, scooping some of it up and allowing a few long, curly tendrils to tease the sides of her face. Her scent was that of success with an undertone of sweet vanilla. To complete the look, she’d added red lipstick, and the shade had to be Tempting Torment. It took all of his restraint not to suggest that they get back in the vehicle and return to their suite at the Maison Sterling. As it was, he had to be content with the knowledge that she’d be beneath him, surrendering, within a few hours.
Earlier in the day, they’d met Claire Richardson, the gallery’s owner, and walked around to double-check that everything was hung the way Elissa wanted and that the placards were with the correct piece.
And now, the gallery was closed to the public. Fairy lights danced around the windows, and music from a live jazz band beckoned.
A tuxedoed woman opened the door for them. “Good evening, Ms. Conroy. Mr. Walker.”
Once they were inside, Elissa leaned in closer. “Am I supposed to pretend I’m not awestruck?”
He laughed. “You’ll do fine.” He plucked two glasses of champagne from the tray of a passing server. After giving her one, he raised his drink to her. “You deserve every moment.”
“You made it happen.”
“I had nothing to do with it. The talent is yours. And you got the paintings together to do it.” She’d worked her ass off, day and night, to make it happen, and he did his best to be the supportive man she needed in her life. When she forgot to eat, he took food over to her. And he welcomed her to bed when she finally joined him each night.
After their time in Steamboat Springs, they’d taken a trip to Denver so he could meet her parents, and she could inform them of her decision to marry him.
Mr. and Mrs. Conroy had shocked Elissa into silence by announcing they were selling the pub. They no longer wanted to work so hard, and their time in Ireland had shown them they wanted to travel while they still had the energy.
Elissa had been nervous that she would be letting her parents down by moving away, but they reassured her that they had no plans to stay in Denver. In fact, they were planning to sell the business to Joseph.
Then her mother had said they may want to purchase a cabin in Steamboat so they could be near Elissa when she finally decided to have children.
Though Patrick had sipped a whiskey and leaned back to stay out of the conversation, Ann had agreed that four children would be perfect.
Seeing Elissa happy made Jacob’s life complete. Well, almost.
There was the little detail of getting her down the aisle. She wore his engagement ring, and they’d decided to start trying to have a baby after the opening. Which gave him some ideas for the upcoming evening when they returned to their suite. All he had to do was control his ravenous hunger for a few more hours.
Her portraits were hung in the far end, past the final arch. The room was constructed with half-round faux art deco pillars attached to the walls, creating secondary framing for the paintings.
He understood why Julien Bonds had selected this gallery. It was elegant, high-end, and most definitely catered to a clientele with eclectic tastes. “Shall we?” He offered his arm.
“Look at me. All confident and everything.”
Accepting her invitation, he swept his hungry gaze over her. Excitement radiated from her. “Most definitely confident.”
“Right.” She nodded. “Confident. I belong here.”
He laughed. “You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t.”
“Right. Right again.”
The back door was open to a private patio, and that was where the band was playing. A full-service bar was set up near them.
The gallery was large, and the lighting was perfect to bring out the deep, rich colors of her oils.
“I can do this.”
“There’s no doubt.”
They mingled for a few minutes with the crowd that was larger than expected. One woman raved about how much she loved Waiting for Him, and Jacob went to greet a Hawkeye trainer—Torin Carter. The man had met his wife on a mission in the Crescent City and had fond memories of the Big Easy. When Hawkeye mentioned he intended to don a suit and attend the opening,
Torin had opted to join him.
“I’m thinking of buying one for Mira. I think it would be a perfect present to give her when the baby’s born. One of the subjects bears a resemblance to her.”
“Excellent choice. I’m sure she’ll love it.” He glanced over at Elissa to be sure she was okay. He’d stayed nearby in case she needed him, but far enough away that she could talk to the invited guests. And as he expected, being in the spotlight made her shine.
The gallery owner walked over to Elissa to shake her hand, and Elissa beckoned Jacob to join them. He immediately excused himself to stand next to her while Torin searched out an assistant to complete his purchase.
“Congratulations. We’ve already sold one of your paintings.”
Elissa’s mouth parted. “I… I don’t know what to say. You mean a print, right?”
“No. An original. His Pleasure.”
“Oh my God, that’s amazing. Surreal. I’m not dreaming, am I? Should I pinch myself?”
He couldn’t be prouder. At Bonds’s urging, she’d priced her paintings considerably higher than she was comfortable with. “I think you’ve just sold another.” He nodded toward Torin, and Elissa clasped the heart-shaped pendant Jacob’d recently bought for her.
“You’re certainly one of the hottest artists around right now, Ms. Conroy. And I’ll do a formal welcome and introduce you in a few minutes, if that’s comfortable for you? We’re waiting for a couple more guests.”
Including Hawkeye. And maybe Bonds would grace them with an appearance.
“Of course.” Elissa nodded. “That’s totally fine.”
With a nod, Claire moved on to speak to other people.
Elissa was going to say something, but before she could, a woman approached, holding her handwritten invitation to the event. “Do you mind autographing this for me, Ms. Conroy?”
She blinked but recovered the instant the woman offered a pen. “I’d be happy to.”
He accepted the champagne flute she asked him to hold. It seemed Elissa was stepping into the shoes of stardom as if they had been custom fit for her.
After returning the stemware to a server, he wandered outside and got caught up on the latest Hawkeye cases with Torin. Jacob was glad for the time—it reaffirmed he didn’t miss the job one bit.
Hold On To Me (Hawkeye Book 4) Page 17