Page 117 of Viper

He leaned sideways, catching her hand in his. “I’ll give my notice, but if it’s all the same to you, I don’t want to wait thirty days to start our life together.” His eyes shone with gentleness. “I’ve waited long enough.”

Her lip trembled. “Me too.”

He kissed her fingers. “Good. But there’s one catch.”

“What’s that?” she asked, feeling lighter than she had in months—maybe even years.

“I’d like to keep Linda, if you’re not opposed to a weekly cleaning lady.”

Paige hiked up her eyebrows. “I’d be crazy to say no.”

He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. “I hope you always say yes, Paige.”

She blinked, confusion muddling her thoughts. Before she could ask what he’d meant, he stood and lifted her easily from the couch.

“Now, we need to consummate our agreement. If you accept my deal, that is.” He hefted her in his arms and stalked across the apartment to the bedroom.

She squealed as he tossed her gently on the bed and came down on top of her. His large, brawny arms caged her in his space as his thick hips spread her thighs and his warm mouth connected with hers.

“It’s a deal,” she whispered, between kisses.

His mouth slid to her neck, and she lost all rational thought.

Not that she needed it. She was finally where she’d always wanted to be.

Locked in Troy’s embrace.

Epilogue

“Still makes you an asshole,” Striker said teasingly.

Troy held the phone to his ear in one hand and ran his other hand over the jewelry box in his pocket as he stared out at the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas.

It’d taken months for Paige to find the desire to dive again. Months they’d spent busy, but still time she’d been away from something she loved. He’d hated the shadow that would cross her face at every mention of her once-favorite hobby.

They’d settled into her place, and once he’d gone on and returned from a couple of jobs, she’d said she was ready.

First thing he did was book an extravagant vacation—her location of choice.

Proposing here just felt right.

“Am I an asshole because I’m asking for your permission after I bought the ring, or because I’m marrying your sister?”

Striker snorted. “She hasn’t said yes yet.”

“Ouch.” Okay, so that might’ve hurt just a bit.

His friend sighed. “I’m just kidding, bro. Make her as happy as you’ve made her the last six months, and I’m cool with the marriage.”

“Good. I would’ve asked her regardless.”

Striker grunted. “No shit. Go. And enjoy the rest of your vacation. We need to leave two days after you get back.”

Fuck. Paige wouldn’t be happy to hear his time off had gotten cut short. He hadn’t been scheduled to work for another ten days. Now they had only five more together, three of which would be here in the Bahamas.

He said goodbye and tucked his phone in his other pocket.

Paige emerged from the ocean, tugging off her snorkeling gear. She trudged up the shore, her hair slicked back and water dripping off her red bikini. Her breasts jiggled beneath the triangles and his cock tightened.