Russian Beast: Underground Fighters #2
Page 15
He laughed. “I won’t. Promise.”
She eyed him for a moment, as if judging his seriousness. “Okay. Well, I know it’s only been a few months. But I love you. So much.”
Alexei swallowed at all the love and affection in her expression. Was she doing what he thought she was doing?
“I love you, too,” he said warily.
“I know. Which is why I think we should get married.”
Alexei choked on air at her words. “What?” he managed.
Evie gazed at him calmly. There was no doubt in her eyes, just love and determination. “We should get married. It’ll make the process for you to get a green card so much easier. I was researching today. Because we’d be applying before our two year anniversary, we’d need a temporary one for a while, first. But after a few years they’ll interview us again, and you’ll get citizenship.”
“Just like that?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Well, there’s a bunch of paperwork and bureaucracy and hoops to jump through. It won’t necessarily be easy. But that’s why I thought we should start early.”
Alexei studied her, but she looked completely serious. “Evie, you’re the one who wanted to take things slow. You didn’t even want to move in together.”
She shrugged. “I love you, and I trust you. There’s no reason to wait anymore.”
“Are you just doing this to get me the green card?” he asked suspiciously.
She shook her head. “Nope. I’m doing this because I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” She hesitated, then continued in a softer voice. “Start a family with you.”
All the breath left him in a rush. The thought of her pregnant with his child, caused a deep swell of emotion in his chest. Having a miniature version of Evie to love and protect would be a dream come true.
A family of his own.
He could rectify the sins of his own father, and bring something precious into this world. Despite it filling him with a deep terror, he wanted that. Wanted to do better, be better.
“What do you say?” she prompted him. “I didn’t think you’d hesitate, I must admit.” Worry had replaced some of the determination in her gaze. Did she really think he’d say no?
“I only hesitate because I want you to be sure. Once I have a ring on your finger, we’ll be bound together for always. And I won’t ever let you go.”
Tears filled her eyes. “That’s what I want.”
Alexei grinned. “Then in that case, I have something to show you.”
He extracted himself from Evie and headed over to his duffle bag. He knelt and unzipped the small pocket on the side, digging out the present he’d bought for Evie months ago, when they’d first moved in together. He’d kept it until he was sure she’d be ready.
Without getting up from his kneeling position, Alexei spun around and held out the box in his hand.
Evie gasped at the sight of it, her hand pressing over her mouth. “Is that what I think it is?” she asked, tears spilling over her cheeks.
He popped the lid. Her eyes went wide.
He knew what she’d see. A square-cut diamond in a simple setting. The saleswoman at the shop had assured him Evie would like it, but he still watched her face carefully for any hints of how she felt.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed.
“So you’ll marry me?”
She laughed through her tears. “I asked you first!”
Alexei chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
He dug the ring out and slid it onto her finger. It was a perfect fit.
Just like they were.
With that, Alexei stood and swept Evie into his arms. He carried her to the bedroom, where they had their own, private celebration of the beginning of their new life. Together.
Coming Soon
November 2017
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Author Bio
Wounded Heroes. Action Movies. Happily Ever Afters.
These are a few of Aislinn’s favourite things, and you’ll find all of the above in her writing. Whether it’s the Soldiering On series – about wounded military veterans starting a security company together and finding love along the way – or her upcoming series about underground fighters.
If she’s not reading romance novels or watching action movies, you’ll find Aislinn writing like mad to get the next book out. She also loves to travel to new places around the world, forever in search of the perfect cottage in the forest that she hopes to one day call home.
Visit her at https://aislinnkearns.com/
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