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She waited until he’d climbed behind the wheel and held out her hands. “Natalie insisted we use her day off to get our nails done. I think she’s worried I haven’t forgiven her. But I have. You need to talk to her.”
“I’ll give her a call later.” To say thank-you. And reaffirm his promise to live up to his end of the bargain. Natalie had demanded that he muzzle his teammate Jack the next time they visited Bottoms Up. No come-ons. No one-liners.
r /> Three more turns and they pulled up in front of the single-story house with the fenced yard. Moving quickly, Cade hopped out of the car, gathered the box, and herded the dog to the front steps. He turned his key in the lock and froze.
“I know you hate surprises, especially when they pile up,” he said, glancing at Lucia over his shoulder. “So I’m telling you now that I’ve added one more fantasy to my list.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Do I get a stick-figure drawing?”
He chuckled. “Not this time. But before we go any farther, you should know, there’s chocolate in the living room.”
The woman he loved placed her manicured hands on her hips. “Open the door.”
He obeyed and allowed her to lead the way, followed by Mufasa, who thank God headed straight for his dog bed and the bone Cade had left there. Lucia disappeared into the living room, but he remained by the door and freed the chocolate strawberry from the box.
“There’s a fountain beneath our painting,” she said, glancing over her shoulder as he walked into the room.
“Taste it,” he said.
She held her finger under the flowing milk chocolate for a heartbeat and then slid it between her lips. She ran her tongue up her finger, swirled it around the tip, and traveled down the other side.
He gritted his teeth. His dick begged to join the chocolate party. But first, he had to give her the strawberry.
“You forgot the fruit.” She lowered her hand. “We might have some in the fridge—”
“I didn’t forget.” He moved to her, close enough to touch, and held out the berry. “Take a bite.”
She wrapped her mouth around the tip of the milk chocolate berry, her gaze locked with his. The structure broke as she pulled back. She raised a hand to her mouth and laughed. “It’s like one of those hollow bunnies.”
“Look inside.”
Her brow furrowed as she dipped her fingers into the chocolate berry and withdrew a diamond ring.
“Cade?” she said, her eyes wide.
He lowered down on one knee. He set the chocolate strawberry aside and took her hand. “I have one more fantasy on my list. You in my bed, gorgeous. Tonight. Tomorrow. Forever. After each mission, I want to come home to you. And when I retire, I want to spend the rest of my life by your side.”
“Oh my God,” she murmured, her gaze shifting away from his to stare at the diamond ring.
“Lucia,” he said. “Will you marry me?”
“You… You…” Lucia drew a deep breath, hoping to steady her trembling voice. She hadn’t gone to Vegas looking for this. She’d been happy enough to find desire, acceptance, and love in one weekend, let alone the time they’d found together in the months afterward. And now, the SEAL with the panty-melting voice was offering the promise of forever.
Awe, excitement, and love formed a tangled knot in her throat. She glanced up at the painting hanging on their living room wall. The piece they’d created when he’d flown across the country determined to declare his love.
“Cade, I was yours from the moment you made love to me on the canvas.” She knelt in front of him and held out the ring. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Yes?”
She heard the echo of disbelief in his voice, as if he still couldn’t accept the fact that he’d managed to merge a long-term, loving relationship with his call to serve.
“I’m going to marry you,” she said firmly, offering her hand.
He slipped the ring onto her finger. Then he reached up and cupped her cheeks, drawing her mouth to his. He kissed her hard and long, as if savoring the taste. She placed her palms on his chest. She wanted more, so much more before her fiancé—
Oh, God. She knew just what to do. She opened her eyes and broke the connection, just for a moment.
“I’m adding to my list.” She pulled her shirt over her head. She tossed it aside, then stood and stripped off her skirt.
