by Lea Hart
“Sounds great. Give me five minutes and I’ll be ready.”
***
They walked into the lobby of the hotel. Sara’s head was swiveling around, gaping at everything. “This place is beautiful.”
“Wait till you see the restaurant. It’s considered one of Miami’s most romantic spots.” They walked toward the entrance, and he understood why Dane had suggested it. It was like being in someone’s home. Someone with money and good taste.
“I’m glad I wore my new shoes.”
Grady let his gaze run down her shapely legs and grinned. “Me too, honey.”
They waited at the reception desk for the hostess to sort out where their table was. Sara leaned over and looked out at the patio. “I hope we get to sit outside.”
Before Grady could respond, the hostess asked them to follow her. They were led out to the patio, and it was as romantic as Dane had said it would be. There were large banyan trees draped in lanterns, and flowers were everywhere. They were offered a table in the corner, and it was going to be perfect for what Grady had in mind.
Sara’s gaze moved over the patio, and she was smiling as she took in all the details. She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward her. “Oh, my gosh. I love this place. It’s lovely and so romantic. I want to decorate our patio to look just like it. Do you think I could get away with taking some pictures?”
He leaned forward and dropped a kiss on her mouth. “You do whatever you want. Take as many pictures as you like.” He was silently celebrating the fact that she’d said “our patio.” It boded well for what was about to happen.
A waiter approached and greeted them while he placed a bucket next to them with champagne. He held it up for Grady and waited for him to approve. While the waiter opened it, Sara was making faces at him. He ignored her and waited until they each had a glass and the waiter left. “I love you,” he said, as he leaned forward and kissed her.
“I love you too. Why are we having champagne?”
“Because it’s a special evening.”
Glancing at the label on the bottle, Sara whistled quietly. “It’s some kind of celebration. My goodness.”
“We haven’t gone out on a lot of dates, and I told you that I was going to win you properly. That’s what I’m doing. Wooing and winning.”
“You can just bring me donuts and I’ll be wooed. Not that I don’t love coming to places like this, but you don’t have to.”
“I want to. We are going to be one of those couples who kiss like we just met, even fifty years from now. I don’t know that much about romance, but I know how I feel about you, and I know we’re going to get better with each day that passes.”
Laughing, she took a sip of champagne. “So, you want to date me for a long time? I had no idea you were thinking long-term.”
It was the perfect opening, so he decided to take it. He sipped his champagne and tried to calm his nerves. “I’m definitely thinking long-term.” He held her hand and grinned. “I want you to be my forever girlfriend. I don’t need more time to know how I feel. I knew the moment I woke up with you in my arms. I knew when your body fit perfectly against me and your hand rested in mine that you are the one for me.
“I love you, Sara, and I want to show you how much for the rest of my life.” Slipping down on one knee, he took her hand. “Sara Montgomery, will you please be my wife? I promise to love and protect you.”
He tugged a ring out of his pocket and held it up. “What do you think?”
She stared down at him and had tears slipping down her face. “Did you ask me to marry you?”
“Yes, honey. I’m on my knee with a ring, and I want you to be my wife.”
“Yes. Oh my gosh, yes, a million times.”
He stood, slipped the ring on her finger and held her face in his hands. “I love you, and I promise that I will be a good husband.” Pressing their mouths together, he tasted the next sixty years of his life. Perfect.
Sara pulled away as she heard a round of applause from the other diners. Holding up her hand, she laughed. “The best man in the world just asked me to marry him, and I’m the luckiest girl in the world.” Wiping her tears away, she pulled him down and kissed the hell out of him.
As the applause died down, he ended the kiss and pressed his head to hers. “I love you.”
“I love you more. I plan on making sure you know for the rest of our lives.”
“I can hardly wait,” he said as he held their hands together. “I knew when I kissed you that I was never going to be able to stop. Turns out I was right.”
“Thank God,” Sara whispered. “Oh, wait a minute…I kissed you first. So maybe it’s me who can’t stop kissing you.”
“We can’t stop kissing each other,” he said, as he helped her into her chair and then took his own. “I hope you like the ring.”
Lifting her hand, she laughed. “I forgot to look at it.” As she held it up, the glow from the lanterns allowed a thousand shards of light to play across the tablecloth. “My goodness, it’s beautiful.” Placing her hands on top of his, she took a deep breath. “The whirlwind we’ve been through makes sense now. It was all supposed to happen so that we would find each other.”
“Sometimes that’s what it takes. I love you, and I’m grateful for every crazy thing that brought us together.” He lifted his glass of champagne and held it up. “I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
Laughing, she tipped her glass against his. “I love you, and for the first time in forever, I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Pressing his mouth to hers, he knew they had a ton of happiness to look forward to. No matter what came their way.
THE END
INSPIRATION
Every story has a playlist and here is the one for
Whirlwind
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CORONADO SERIES
Latched is the first book in the Coronado Series
Betrayed by her ex–fiancé, Birdie James decides a sexy fling will give her the excitement she needs without the problems of a relationship. Luckily for her, Mr. Right Now is gorgeous, interested and curls her toes with one look. There’s just one problem.
Lieutenant Commander, Mark Frazier sees Birdie, and he only wants one thing. Her, forever. As a SEAL, he flourishes beneath both trials and adventure. However, changing the mission directive of this woman may be the biggest challenge of his life.
What happens when a woman whose life is based on certainty targets a Navy SEAL who thrives on the unknown? Can Mark find a way to overcome her stubborn mindset and convince her to give them a chance? Or is her heart latched against him?
Snatched is the second book in the series
When a stalker targets Rory Basso, she thinks she can handle the situation on her own. Then it escalates. Fearing for her safety, she take the advice of her best friend and hires a security professional to help her track down and eliminate the threat. But Max is more than she expects.
Max Bishop hasn’t met a target he can’t acquire or a mission he can’t complete. Until Rory. As a retired Navy SEAL and CEO of Security Alliance International, he has spent most of his life in charge. Now his mission is to convince this headstrong woman that he can protect her….and love her.
Can Rory trust Max with her safety and her love? Will he convince her to place her protection and heart in his hands? Or will the person terrorizing her snatch the opportunity away?
Attached is the third book in the series
Cary Simmons is a kindergarten teacher. Her boring life leaves her craving a summer of adventure, a kick start into an exciting future. However, when her car breaks down in the middle of the California desert, she decides to make the most of it. After all, a biker bar holds some pretty adventurous men, right?
Travis Mathers can’t believe his eyes wh
en a pretty little thing walks into the roughest bar in Ripley wearing a flowered sundress. Instantly, the retired Navy Seal knows this woman needs his protection, and he’s going to give it whether she wants it or not. Besides, who could possibly have more to show her about adventure?
Can Travis convince Cary that he can turn around her boring life? Can Cary fight the allure of a risk-taking alpha male? How long can they resist becoming attached?
Catch is the fourth book in the series
Rachel Miller made a mistake. A year later she is still paying the price. Too embarrassed to ask for help, she tries to manage it on her own. Until, that no longer is an option.
Retired Navy SEAL, Chris Iceman Ellis has spent his whole like protecting people. When he discovers that the woman he’s had his eye on for a year is being threatened, he steps in immediately. Whether she wants it or not.
Can Chris persuade Rachel to accept his protection and convince her that he will always be there to catch her?
What happens when a mighty warrior falls for a woman and becomes her hero… and she becomes his saving grace.
Match is the fifth book in the series
This is a collection of short stories about the couples, that didn’t get their story told in the first four books.
What happened when Birdie matched Ed up with her friend Amelia?
Also, what about Frank and Cat? Does he win her over and prove that he’s a good man?
And, please let Derick find someone. Maybe Birdie’s friend Gracie would be perfect.
Then of course, there’s Laird and Lexi…can he win the heart of a woman who has so much going on in her life?
And, finally David…sweet lord, please let this man find someone who will make him cookies.
All is revealed in this collection.
FIRST AND TEN SERIES
First Down
Star defensive end, Jack Ellis works harder than almost anyone in the game. His focus has been on his career and little else. Until… he meets Dr. Ana James. Immediately smitten, he makes a play for her attention.
Dr. Ana James is unimpressed with the flashy football player and does everything she can to resist his moves.
Not one to let an obstacle get in his way, Jack decides to up his game and prove to her that he’s worth the gamble. He wants Ana forever and makes the play of a lifetime.
Does he have the right moves to win her heart? Will he prevent Ana from making an end run? Or will Ana stop the play?
Second Down
Ronnie DuMond’s focus is on building her wealth management business.
Chase Bedford’s focus is on trying to convince Ronnie to give him a chance.
Does a head coach from the NFL team in Jacksonville, have the right moves to make a winning play?
Watch what happens when a sassy southern girl gets tangled up with a northerner. The sparks that fly between them make the blaze at Twelve Oaks look like a campfire.
This is a romantic comedy about two people doing their best to resist the pull of fate. As in most romantic comedies, true love wins out. Right after fate wrestles it to the ground.
Third Down
(December 2016)
Security Alliance International is a security firm that is owned and operated by retired SEALs. It is made up of elite warriors culled from some of the most revered military forces. Every operator has impeccable ethics and doesn’t quit until the job is done.
Vortex
Vivi DuMond’s clinic is caught in the crossfire of a turf war that threatens both her life and livelihood. Can the NOPD and Feds handle it or does she need more?
Joel McDade runs the Florida office of SAI and he’s been roped into protecting Vivi as a favor to his old client Ronnie DuMond. As much as he would like to refuse, he knows he can’t.
Can the retired Navy SEAL protect the good doctor and her clinic? Or…will the vortex of events make that impossible?
Watch what happens when two people are caught in a whirling mass of threats outside of their control. Will they be pulled in together or will the mass of conflict pull them apart?
Whirlwind
Sara Montgomery is being targeted by one of the United States’ most feared organized crime groups. What options does she have when the Outfit decides they want to bring her in? Will the FBI provide enough protection or will she need more?
Grady Merrick is a partner in the Florida office of SAI and discovers the threat and knows he has no choice but to protect his neighbor. His sexy, beautiful neighbor. This is one assignment he’s going to enjoy.
Watch what happens when two people find themselves in the throes of a violent and destructive force.
Will they survive the events or be caught in the whirlwind?
Tempest
(October 2016)