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He chuckled, bringing my hand to his lips. “You are one helluva woman, but you need to be tamed.”
“Tamed?” I whined. “And you think you’re man enough to do it, huh?”
He gripped my chin between his fingers, pulling me closer. “I know I am. No other man will ever be allowed to touch you again. Period.”
“A big he-man, huh?”
“Exactly. Don’t you forget it.”
After he brushed his lips against mine, I trembled. “What does it mean about this house?”
“Well, I was kind of hoping you’d want to move in. You know, to save money and all.”
As soon as he pulled away, I smacked him in the gut. “You’re right. You’re not very romantic.”
“Okay, how about this. Sassy, will you please join me in years of sin, becoming my old lady?”
I gave him a hard look, shaking my head. “Remotely better. Try again.”
His laugh sent a tremor through me. “Let me see what I can do.” He shoved his hand into his pocket, refusing to allow me to see what he was doing. When he pulled open a box, I wasn’t certain what to think. “I’m not good at this.”
I was shocked, my lips twisting as tears formed in my eyes.
“Harlow Fox, forever to be known as Sassy the Vixen, would you consider marrying a man with a dubious past but a hopeful future?”
I bit my lower lip, blinking several times. Oh, God. “First, I need to do something.”
“You’re not afraid the offer will expire?” he teased.
Actually, I was. “Just wait a minute. Okay?” I scampered off the swing, the lump in my throat as powerful as the butterflies in my stomach. I wanted to scream with joy, telling the world I loved him, but I had a terrible feeling he’d force me to leave after what I’d done.
After grabbing the envelope, I had to force myself to head in his direction. I remained standing, holding it out to him. “I did something I know you’re going to be furious with me for doing. I just… I wanted you whole again, as much as possible. And you know me, I had to learn the truth. I really hope you’re not angry, but I’ll understand if you are, but please don’t be.” He narrowed his eyes. “And I’m talking too much again.”
Exhaling, he placed the ring box on the seat before taking the envelope from my hand. When he opened it, I closed my eyes. I couldn’t stand to see the look of horror and rage on his face. My father had bombarded the powers that be within the Army in order to learn the truth. His reputation as well as his tenacity worked miracles after only three short weeks.
The truth was ugly, a shakeup occurring in the upper ranks, but at least my father had found it. Savage hadn’t been given the right information, which had led them into an ambush.
I heard nothing for what had to be two minutes, maybe more. Then I felt his hand on my shoulder as he’d done before.
“You did this for me?” he asked. I was shocked there was no fury, no angry man ready to banish me from existence. There was a tender tone in his voice, more so than I could have imagined.
“It was the right thing to do. You shouldn’t have been dishonorably discharged. Your pension had been fully restored with back pay.”
A minute passed. Two. I backed away, blinking several times.
Savage took a deep breath, slowly lowering his gaze to the ring. “So, ya wanna get hitched or what?” His grin was infectious.
I raced toward him, throwing my arms around his neck. “Well, duh, you filthy rogue you.”
He laughed as he grabbed the ring, his hand shaking as he placed it on my finger. “I do love you, Sassy, but goddamn it, woman, we need to work on keeping you in line.”
With the ring on my finger, I threw my arms around him just as Lily raced around the side of the house.
“Come look, Daddy. There’s a swing in the backyard!”
Her words stunned both of us, her face beaming with joy. Whether or not she’d use the term again didn’t matter. I could see a significant change in the brutal man who’d insisted in every way possible that he wasn’t worth loving.
* * *
