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“Well, I was going to do this after the dance tonight, when there weren’t quite so many people around, but my support staff is getting restless.” He crossed his eyes at Jen and elicited another giggle.
Reaching in his jeans pocket, he brought out a small, red-silk drawstring bag and dropped to one knee in front of her.
Shocked, Sally backed up a step…and might have kept right on going if he hadn’t reached for her hand and held her in place.
Luke dumped something out of the silk bag onto his knee—something that winked and flashed at her as it moved. Laying the beautiful solitaire diamond ring on the red silk, he held it out, then grinned his sexiest grin. “You are literally my sunshine. Since the day I met you, you’ve never left my mind for a second. The more I come to know you, the more I need you. The truth is, I can’t imagine my life without you and Jen. I love you, Sally Duncan…or Annie Brennan…or whatever name you choose to go by. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
When he stopped talking, Sally looked from his eyes, shining with love, to the ring and back again. She wanted to scream,yes, I’ll marry you, from the highest mountain, but the words were caught in her throat at the moment. This was what she wanted—the man she loved loving her back…and excited about being a father to Jen. What was wrong with her?
As seconds ticked by, she lost track of time. Finally, Luke tugged on her hand, and she fell forward a step. “Um…Sally, marry me?” His brow was beginning to furrow.
“Yes,” she said, bringing the grin back to his beautiful mouth. “Of course I’ll marry you.”
Luke rose and took her in his arms, lifting her off the ground. Applause and whistles filled the air. Sally started, having forgotten there was anyone else around. Then she laughed and threw her head back in pure joy. She met his gaze and shivered as he let her slide down his front, his brown eyes darkening with lust.
Jen ran to them, and they picked her up, putting her into the center of their celebration. She was so excited, she probably wouldn’t sleep for a week.
Luke beckoned to someone, and soon Matt meandered over, scooped Jen up and deposited her back on his shoulders.
“Did you have that planned?” Sally plopped her hands on her hips.
“Yes, ma’am.” Luke cocked an eyebrow and let his gaze drift to her lips. Not much doubt what was on his mind.
“What else do you have planned?” She glanced around. Many of the workers, including most of the Navy SEALs, were returning to their tasks. The women and a few of the men began to clean up. As soon as lunch was put away, they’d be starting on dinner. “There’s so much to do. I have to help.”
Luke caught her arm before she took two steps and pulled her around in a small arc until she bumped up against him. “Huh-uh.” His lips fluttered over the sensitive skin beneath her earlobe. “Come away with me. Just for a while. Ellen had champagne delivered to our cabin for later, but we’ll toast our engagement now. You, me, naked, bubbles.” He captured her lips and demanded entrance. When she broke the seal for him, he plunged in, twisting, stroking and turning her on with only the movements of his tongue. God, she was weak…but she couldn’t make herself care.
“Okay. For a while.”
“Yes!” He bent and scooped her into his arms despite her protest. “Don’t argue. I’m carrying you.”
Sally curled one arm around his neck and placed the other hand on his heart. With the steady beat of her forever love beneath her palm, she lay her head against his shoulder, letting his gentle strength surround her.
After a minute, she raised her head and met his gaze. “WhoshouldI be? Sally or Annie?”
Luke kissed her forehead, and the air around them seemed to pulse with expectancy. “Either. Both. Whatever beautiful, incredible name you choose, you’ll always be my sunshine.”
