“Happy birthday, babe,” she said as she slipped her arms around him.
He poured her a cup of coffee and handed her a teaspoon for the creamer.
“It’s your birthday,” she said. “I should be waiting on you.”
“Nah, you know my birthday is no big deal.”
“I want to get you something special. What would you like? A weekend away? Something special for the boat? Sex everyday for a year?”
He laughed. “I’ll take you…and sex everyday for a year.”
“Let’s start now,” she said and stroked his butt cheek.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better.” His smile fell away. “Let’s sit down. I want to talk to you about something.”
Her stomach clenched. It’s Internado. He’s getting out. They sat on the sofa and he scooped her hands in his.
“Carly, you know I’ve never been big on celebrating my birthday.”
She swallowed. “Uh-huh.” Oh, God, what is going on?
“I’ve given this a lot of thought and there is something I want for my birthday.”
She didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath and inhaled deeply. “Whew, you scared me. You look so serious.”
He stroked her hand. “I am serious. I want to turn my birthday into something I’ll look forward to celebrating every year.”
She was drawing a total blank. “Okay.”
He knelt and, with the most sincere expression, said, “Carlyle Elizabeth Stone, I love you with all my heart. Our pretend marriage feels so real and so right, I want to make it official.” He pressed his lips to hers. “Marry me. Today.”
“Ha-ha. Very funny.”
“I’m not joking. I want us to get married. You asked me what I want for my birthday. I want you to become my real wife. Today. Please don’t disappoint the birthday boy.”
Everything Ashton ever did was full throttle. Why would she expect this would be any different?
As her gaze floated over his face, her heart rejoiced. Without question, she knew what her answer would be. What her heart had always wanted. To be this man’s wife for all eternity. She cradled his face in her hands. “Ashton, I would be honored to marry you, today.”
He swept her into his arms. His kisses were tender and passionate, sweet and panty melting. “Best birthday ever.”
“Hellooooooo,” Desiree called. “Where’s the birthday boy?”
His sister bounded onboard carrying garment bags. Ashton took them and hoofed it down the stairs to the staterooms.
“You look much better today,” Desiree said, examining Carly.
“Well?” Desiree asked when Ashton returned.
He grinned. “She said, ‘Yes’!”
Desiree hugged Carly. “Congratulations! Finally…real sisters.” Then, she hugged her brother. “Happy birthday, old man. Thirty-four. Yikes, you two better start popping out the babies.”
Carly laughed. “Slow down there, sister. I can barely process that we just got engaged. How does this work? Do we just show up at the courthouse?”
“We have an appointment at noon with a judge.”
“You planned this?”
