by Jen Talty
A tear rolled down his cheek. He turned toward the window and quickly wiped it a way. From the moment he’d laid eyes on her in the bait and tackle store, she’d been under his skin, worming her way into his psyche. The first time he’d pulled her from a wreck had been intense as a life was at stake.
But the second time, his heart was on the line and now he had to find a way to show her how much he cared and wanted her in his life.
“If you feel nauseous or disoriented at all, please hit the nurses button, okay?” the doctor said.
“I will,” Lexi said as her mother helped her to a sitting positon. “Can I eat something?”
The doctor laughed. “Being hungry is an excellent sign. Until dinner, all we have here is Jell-O and pudding.”
Lexi scrunched her nose.
“I can get you something from the cafeteria,” her mother said.
“Peanut butter toast would be great.”
“You always loved that when you sick as a little girl.” Her mother patted Lexi’s leg. “I’ll go see what I can find.”
Ace waited for her mother to leave before sitting on the edge of the bed, taking her soft hand into his. “You gave us quite the scare.”
“Are we safe from Ferro and his band of crazies.”
Ace nodded. “They will be going away for a long time.”
“Thank God. I guess I owe you once again for saving my life.”
“I might let you take me out to dinner this time.”
“Oh really?”
He nodded. “Not sure I’ll let you pay, but you can pick the restaurant.” He lowered his gaze, taking in a long breath. “And I don’t want one dinner. Or even two. I’d like to toss in a few breakfasts and a romantic stroll on the beach.”
“Romantic?” she questioned. “Do you know what that word means?”
He chuckled. “I might have a basic understanding of the concept.”
“This I’d like to see.”
He swallowed. Time for all or nothing. “I don’t want you to go back to New York. I’ve gotten used to having you around.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened. “As in you want me to be a permanent fixture in your life?”
He traced her lips with his index finger. “I want to explore the possibility of forever.”
“Wow,” she whispered.
“Too much, too quick?”
“No,” she said biting her lower lip. “Crazy, but I want that too, but lets start with a couple of nice dinners.”
“Name the time and place.”
Her smile brightened the room and made his heart flutter with anticipation.
“You’ll have to drive because all our family cars are toast.”
He shook his head. “What is it with you and burning cars?”
The corners of her mouth tipped upward. “I just wanted to see a sexy firefighter in action.”
“You were unconscious.”
“But you did pull me from the wreckage.”
He nodded. “Though I would appreciate it if you never make me do that again.”
“I’ll try not to, but only on one condition.”
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“You kiss me right now, because I’ve had a burning desire to feel your lips on mine since the second I woke up.”
Epilogue
Six months later.
ACE RAISED THE LONGNECK to his lips, sipping the bitter brew as he stared at Lexi sitting in the bow of his boat, reading a book while Shasta slowly thumped her tail. The sun beat down on the calm ocean, his vessel rocking gently with the rolling waves. The last six months had been the best of his life. His career was perfect.
And he was lucky enough to have the love of the perfect woman.
“I can feel you staring at me,” Lexi said. The sweet timbre of her voice floated across air, blanketing his skin like the stars did the sky.
He chuckled. “That’s because you’re the prettiest thing out here.”
“Flattery will get you whatever you want.”
“Whatever I want?” He cocked his head.
She peered over her book. “Why do I feel like I’m being baited?”
“You said anything.” He tipped his beer.
“What’s on your mind?”
He waggled his finger at her. “Come here and I’ll show you what’s on my mind.” He patted his lap.
“We are not having sex on this boat in broad daylight. Besides, it would traumatize the dog.” She pushed herself to a standing position, holding onto the side of the boat, she slinked her way to the center console, straddling his lap. “Don’t get any ideas. I’m just here for the beer.” She took the bottle from his hands, her lips covering the glass opening and chugged half of it. “Mmmm, that hit the spot.”
“You’re such a tease.” He curled his hands over her hips.
She smiled.
“I love you,” he whispered. He’d felt those words for longer than he’d been saying them, but it still humbled him every time he spoke them.
“I love you too, but now I really know you’re up to something.” She glanced around. “Usually means a prank or some weird, wicked joke.”
“You’ll never learn to be quiet, will you.” He swallowed the lump his throat. “I was thinking.”
“About?”
“Us.”
She titled her head. “What about us?”
“I think we should get a dog.” Not how he planned on starting this conversation, but it would work.
He hoped.
“We have a dog.”
He laughed. “I mean a dog that lives with us full time.”
“We don’t live together and Shasta does live with me full time.”
Shasta’s head popped up as she yelped.
He arched his brow.
“You’re serious?”
“I hate sneaking out of your mother’s house and getting caught nine times out of ten and I hate it when you leave my apartment. I just think it would better all-around if you moved in with me.”
“I’ll move in with you.”
He coughed. “Really?”
“On one condition.”
“I bet I can guess what that is?” Though he had no idea, but if he didn’t do this no, he might lose his nerve.
“I doubt that,” she said.
He patted her ass. “Get up.”
“You’re being bossy.”
He flipped open the compartment on the consul and pulled out a small pouch. “I bet your condition on shacking up is that we get married.”
“That’s not what I was going to say.”
He dumped the engagement ring into his hand and got down on one knee. Might as well do this right. “Marry me.”
“Is that a demand. Because you know I can’t stand it when you get all controlling and shit on me.”
He growled. “As your future husband, I will just warn you that I will be demanding on a regular basis.”
She took the ring in her hand. “What Crackerjack box did you get this from? Is Hunter out there taking a video somewhere? The things you think are funny are really just weird. I mean come on, if this is one of your silly jokes and—”
“You really need to learn to stop jumping to conclusions and just listen to me.” He snagged the ring as he stood up and wiggled it on her finger. “Real ring. Real proposal. So, what’s going to be? Marriage and a dog? Or shall I just jump in the water and put myself out of my misery.”
She glanced between the ring and him with wide-eyes. “Really, real? As in a real diamond ring?”
He let out an exasperated sigh and nodded.
A slow smile drew across her face. “What I was going to say was that if you want me to move in, we’ve got to get a bigger place than your apartment.”
“That’s a no brainer. They don’t allow large dogs.”
“Well, future husband, looks like you’re going to get your wish.”
He kissed her hand. “Good. Now let me get back to finishing.”
“Tha
t’s not the wish I was talking about. I mean, yeah, I’ll marry you, but I was agreeing to have sex with you right here, right now.”
The End
Books by Jen Talty
NY State Trooper Series
IN TWO WEEKS
DARK WATER
DEADLY SECRETS
MURDER IN PARADISE BAY
TO PROTECT HIS OWN
DEADLY SEDUCTION
WHEN A STRANGER CALLS
Other novels
REKINDLED
JANE DOE’S RETURN
Dare to Love Kindle World by Carli Philips
DON’T DARE ME
The Omega Team Kindle World
THE LIGHTHOUSE
HER LAST HOME
The Phoenix Agency Kindle World
THE LOST SISTER
Dallas Fire and Rescue Kindle World
STEALING HIS FIRE
About the Author
Jen Talty is an award-winning author of Romantic Suspense. Dark Water hit #10 in Barnes and Noble and her books have been in the top 50 on Amazon. Jen grew up in Rochester, New York. She recently retired from being a full-time hockey mom as her children hung up their skates. She and her husband still live in Rochester while her children travel globe. Jen is the co-founder of Cool Gus Publishing with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer. To learn more about Jen Talty please visit her website: jentalty.com
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