Page 68 of Tristan’s Temptation

“Yes!”

“I mean, my parents married because they had to and they were miserable.”

“We won’t be miserable. I promise.”

She laughed, a little. “You can’t promise something like that.”

“I can. I will. I will make you happy and keep you happy and…” He shot her a mischievous grin. “Maybe, every once in a while, you can misbehave.”

“And you’ll give me a spanking?” She did laugh now. It was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard.

“Only if you really, really want one.”

“So no more hiding our relationship?”

“Not a chance.”

“No more ducking into Mexican hat-vendor stalls?”

“Only if you really, really want a hat.”

“No more secret trysts?”

“Maybe a few,” he said with a sheepish grin

Her face was a cameo. She was exquisite. He couldn’t believe she was gazing at him with that expression. Couldn’t believe he deserved her, had won her.

But she hadn’t said yes. Not yet.

He held out the ring again. “So will you marry me, Shannon? Will you make me the happiest man in the world?”

She held out her hand and his heart leapt.

Not daring to delay for an instant, he slipped the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly and she sighed. “Tristan. It’s beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful.” Still on his knees, he knelt up and kissed her. Kissed the sweetest, most adorable lips in the land. Heaven. It was heaven.

Because she kissed him back.

His bliss—their bliss—was interrupted when the door opened and Jack Maris poked his head into the boardroom. “Say, are you guys going to eat the last scone? Because if you aren’t…”

In tandem, they bellowed, “Get lost, Jack.”

And for once, he did.

Epilogue

The middle of the night was a magical time. Tristan pulled Shannon closer and kissed her forehead. The stars above were dazzling and mirrored in the twinkling lights of the city below. It was beautiful, clear and cool. The heat of the day still hovered but only just enough.

Shannon was a warm weight in his arms. He could feel her breath on his neck and her heart beating against his. Her breasts were heavy and round, a burning imprint on his chest. He stroked their fullness and she murmured in her sleep and cuddled closer. Thank God the patio lounger was big enough for both of them.

He wanted to wake her, rouse her, but she needed her sleep. Now, for the moment, he was content to hold her, knowing she was and always would be his.

Life was perfect. Absolutely perfect. He had the most beautiful woman in the world in his arms, a tremendously successful company, a pretty damn nice house and…

A plaintive wail split the night and an instinctual sizzle shot through his solar plexus. It always affected him that way when he heard her cry. Like a red-hot poker in his heart.

“Not again,” Shannon whimpered.