by Jackie Ivie
“Oh. Yes,” Eska replied.
She floated back to the floor to stand before him. It wasn’t easy. Every cell was primed to react. Riot. Rocket off somewhere. She barely managed to keep still.
“I know we haven’t known each other long...”
“Yes,” she inserted rapidly as he paused.
He sucked in his cheeks as if stopping a smile. Looked down at the box. Back up at her.
“And my circumstances have gone through...a rather drastic change.”
“Yes,” she answered, just as quickly, but a little more breathlessly.
“I’m pretty much a pauper,” he continued.
“I don’t care. The answer is yes!”
“Eska. I have to ask you first.”
“Then talk faster!”
He looked down at the box again. Opened it. Light flashed on the ring inside. He turned the box around. Lifted it toward her. Eska gasped. Her heart thumped with mighty beats. Her ears were filled with all manner of music. And that was before he glanced up at her, a questioning look in his neon blue eyes. A lock of his tawny hair had fallen forward, as if to frame him.
The swell of emotion nearly knocked her off her feet. She swayed. Blinked rapidly. Radiated happiness. And somehow remained standing.
“Eska?”
“Yes?” she replied. And held her breath.
“I love you.”
Eska had never swooned before. She didn’t feel him catch her, but he must have, for when she next opened her eyes, they were on the sofa, and he had her on his lap, held tightly in his arms. Their hearts touching. Beating in unison.
“Oh, Paul Henry!”
Tears ran unheeded down her cheeks as she threaded her fingers through his hair. Pulled it back. Ran her tongue along her lower lip. Prepared to kiss him.
“Wait. Wait. There’s more,” he said.
“But I already said yes!” Eska replied. “Yes. And yes. And another yes. And yes!”
“You want to try this on, then?”
He grinned and lifted his hand toward her, proffering the ring. It was on the tip of his little finger. The gem atop it was even more unbelievably huge than it looked earlier. Eska pulled the ring free with a trembling hand.
“You’re really cute. You know that?”
“You are calling me cute?” she asked.
“Yep. And you were incredibly difficult to find, I might add.”
“Me? Do you know how hard you were to reel in?”
“Reel in?”
“Yes. And land. You were a very tough catch, Paul Henry. Very.”
“You know...I might have to let you win this round.”
Eska had the ring on her third finger. Left hand. It fit perfectly. She held it out. Gestured with it. Light hit the facets, sending sparkles through the room.
Paul Henry snagged her hand, brought it to his lips, and touched a kiss to her ring finger. “Looks like it fits,” he remarked.
“Come on. I think we should find another bed to destroy,” Eska replied.
“Don’t you mean bedroom?”
“That, too.”
She pulled from his lap, held his hand tight, and waited until he stood up. She looked up into his now-violet eyes, felt a whoosh of something massive blossoming throughout her entire body. Her knees trembled. Her body quivered. Her heart sang. She knew exactly what was meant by swoon-worthy.
Exactly.
~ ~ ~
“Well, Grandpa. Was that not worth every moment of trauma? And aren’t you grateful the lad allowed us to be a part of it, albeit peripherally?”
Akron killed the live feed from the command center. Sat back. Folded his arms. And waited. Nigel started sputtering.
“Are you nuts? I think I’d rather die a thousand deaths than be that close to disaster again! Ever!”
“Was that not the sweetest proposal you’ve ever seen?”
“It’s the only one I’ve ever seen...other than my own, of course.”
“Well. In that event, trust me. It doesn’t get much sweeter. Ah. True love. It really does conquer all, you know.”
“Can I ask you something, Sir?”
“Of course.”
“You wouldn’t really have let him fry, would you?”
Akron leaned forward in his chair. Leather creaked beneath him. He paused for a moment with his finger on the connection switch.
“You wouldn’t have. I know you.” Nigel replied to his own query.
“Nigel—”
“You play this big bad arch-villain type, but inside you’re a big softie. Don’t bother denying it.”
“You think so?” Akron asked.
“You wouldn’t have been able to do it.” There was a long pause before Nigel added in an unsure tone, “would you?”
“That, dear Nigel...is something we shall never know.”
And Akron disconnected their link.
About the Author
Jackie Ivie lives in the enormous state of Alaska. She started her writing career with hot highland historical romances for Kensington Publishing. There are now ten “Clans series” books, available in seven languages. Keeping her head in the clouds most of the time, Jackie now spends her time researching, developing, and writing her three paranormal series – the Vampire Assassin League, Chronicles of the Hunters, The Portals of Time, as well as her other historical line – the Brocade Collection.
Jackie loves hearing from fans, who can contact her at
www.jackieivie.com or www.VampireAssassinLeague.com
Want to keep up with the assassins of the Vampire Assassin League? Consider joining the Assassin Street Team at
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BENOT LIKE is the 33rd installment of the Vampire Assassin League. Check out all the assassins in the VAL, available singly, in 4-book bundles, 10-book mega sets, and in print as 2-packs.
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Copyright © 2017 Jackie Ivie
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