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“You were dead to the world. You didn’t move a muscle.”
That didn’t really surprise her. The vehemence of their lovemaking had left her completely spent, her body drugged by a heavy sated sensation, and she had fallen asleep in his arms almost immediately.
“How did you sleep?”
His jaw was rough with dark stubble. “First night I finally felt normal instead of hunted, now that everything is situated.” He turned to her. “Now that it is. I wanted to talk to you about what I want to do with my life.”
She brushed her lips against his jaw. “What is that?”
“I want to raise horses in Virginia. It’s famous for steeple chasing and horses have always been my passion. I think I would love to teach riding. I’m heartbroken that I had to leave Captain Hook behind.”
“I’m sorry about your horse, but if you want to raise them, I’m all for it. It doesn’t matter where I live in the DC area. I could keep my condo to make it easier when I have to work.” She looked at him. “You’re okay with me staying with the Shadowguard?”
“Of course, I want you to be happy.”
“I love you so much, Aleksei.”
Drawing in a deep, ragged breath, he slipped both arms around her and gathered her against him as he turned toward her, his hold almost savage. His voice was hoarse as he whispered against her hair. “I love you more.” He shuddered and pressed his mouth against the hollow of her throat, his stubble rough and scratchy. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you. I’m thankful and humbled by your love.”
She swallowed hard, holding him tightly, slipping her hand up his neck until her fingers were buried in his thick hair.
The next two weeks were full of looking at properties and horses.
“I think I’ll go for an even dozen.”
“Properties,” she asked with a little smile.
He chuckled. “No, horses.”
“And the property?
“The one in Middleburg. It’s perfect.”
It was gorgeous and her favorite. It featured a large house with good horse facilities, which included an eighteen-stall barn with wash stall, tack and feed room. One bedroom and three-bedroom apartments as well as a large indoor ring for teaching and training in all weather, nine paddocks and three larger pastures all fully fenced with plenty of room for a cross-country course with the sixty acres it came with.
It was a whirlwind of moving and furnishing the place, but finally the day came when they were going to move in.
Harley took his hand shortly after they put the finishing touches on the home and guided him down to the barn. “I have a surprise for you,” she said. She opened the door and they walked into the interior.
Aleksei gasped when he saw the black horse in the first stall. “Captain Hook,” he cried out and rushed to him as the stallion whickered. He petted him for several minutes. Then turned to her, grabbed her up, and whirled her around. “How did you make this happen?”
“I pulled some strings. I figured they aren’t going to care if you take your horse out of Russia. I thought he should defect with you.”
He laughed and kissed her softly.
“Now I have something to show you,” he murmured.
She followed him to the front of the property where there was a drape over the sign. He pulled the cloth off and Harley smiled. “Jolly Roger Equestrian. Very fitting.”
“It’s also very fitting that I ask you something.” He got down on one knee and pulled out a black velvet ring box. She covered her mouth and laughed. “Will you marry me, Harley?”
“Yes,” she said, her eyes filling, her heart so full. He rose, opened the box and she almost fainted. The ring was so gorgeous, sixteen emerald-cut diamonds set on a platinum band. He took it out of the box and slipped it on her finger.
She threw her arms around his neck and held onto him for several sweet moments. “I love you, my forever mouse.”
When she let him go, he slipped his arm around her waist and drew her close. They turned and walked toward the house, toward their bright new future…together. Forever and happily ever.
* * *
