So the plan was to just stick by her like glue. He knew she needed to be with her father, and he respected that. He could drive her to work and back. They could have lunch together. She had to eat in the evening. He’d eat at her house, take her out for an hour, he didn’t give a shit, as long as he was with her. The point was to get her used to having him around and then…pop the question some time down the line.
But life was unpredictable. Dangerous, even. No one knew that better than he did.
He’d almost lost her, twice.
Now.
Sam took in a deep breath.
“I don’t know about that,” he said, making a major effort to keep his voice cool, casual. “I don’t believe in prenups, so when you charge me, you’ll basically be charging yourself. Doesn’t make much sense to me.”
Silence. Total, aching silence.
Sam sneaked a glance at Nicole, refraining from wincing at the totally blank expression on her face.
Shit shitshit!
What thehellhad possessed him to speak up now? Christ, why couldn’t he have waited? Now he’d shot his wad and how could he?—
Nicole narrowed her eyes. “Was that a marriage proposal I heard in there?”
He didn’t have the courage to do anything but stare.
“Well, was it?”
Mouth dry, he nodded.
“Because if it was,” she continued, aggrieved, “it was definitely the most half-assed proposal I’ve ever heard of.”
He nodded. Yes, yes, it was half-assed, all right.
“Sorry.” He cleared his tight throat. “You’re right, I don’t know what I was?—"
“However,” she said, talking right over him, “I’ll cut you some slack since you did save my life. Twice. That earns you points. Do you love me?”
That he could answer. “Yes,” he said firmly and waited. And waited. She simply looked at him, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Fuck. She was going to say no.
Well, hell. How could he expect anything else? He knew himself and he knew what he wanted and he wanted her, no question. But not everyone was like him, able to make important decisions fast. He had no doubts at all, but what about her?
She was an extraordinarily beautiful woman. She’d probably had men falling balls-deep in love within five minutes of meeting her since she’d hit puberty. He had no doubts, but she would. She’d be crazy to trust someone like him, put her life in his hands.
She came from a solid, loving family. He was as far from that as it was possible to be and still grow up on the same planet. How could she trust him to?—
“It’s a very good thing that you’re not going to be making any marriage proposals after this one, because you suck at it. However, the answer is yes.”
“I know I’m probably not what you’re used to, but I swear, you can count on me forever. I’ll take care of you. No one will ever hurt you, ever again. I promise you I’ll be true, and?—”
“Sam,” she sighed. “I said yes. And for the record, I love you, too.”
His brain seized up, simply froze. He stopped breathing for a moment. “Yes?” he echoed blankly. He couldn’t possibly have heard right.
Nicole’s eyes rolled in her head and she pulled his head down for a kiss.
EPILOGUE
Bellevue Cemetery
