Page 349 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

“We couldn’t risk the stalker getting away,” Lara insisted.

As he waved his deputies to collect their captive, he shook his head. “Can’t say I blame you.” Then he narrowed one eye. “That doesn’t mean I’m good with the two of you playing cop.”

The deputies dealt with the prisoner, hauling him up, replacing the chains with handcuffs.

Dominic cradled Lara protectively, his soft exhale stirring her hair. “You were amazing.” He shifted her in his arms, nudging up her chin until their eyes met. “I think you’re my perfect partner in crime. I’m just glad we found ourselves on the right side of the law.”

Dampness clung to her lashes, evidence of the emotional intensity of these past few minutes—not to mention the turbulence of her entire day. Despite it all, she’d shown remarkable strength.

He lovingly smoothed his fingertips along her hairline before he tucked the soft tresses behind her ears. “How about waking up tomorrow to the first day of the rest of our lives together?”

Stunning hope filtered into her eyes as she gazed up at him. “I’d say…it’s about time.”

A gentle laugh rumbled in his chest. He leaned his forehead to hers. “I agree. Let me make it up to you.”

“I’m listening…”

Behind them, headlights bobbed as the police cars backed down the driveway, leaving them in semi-darkness. Only the moon and stars illuminated them.

“First, we’ll kick things off with a champagne brunch, toasting your freedom. Followed by a leisurely ride in my convertible, feeling the wind in your hair.”

“And then?”

“We’ll need to get the dust out of your hair. I’ll lower you into my tub and bathe you in a bubble bath.”

“And then?”

“I’ll lay you down in my bed and kiss you head to toe. Before I make love to you.”

“And…then…?”

He loved that she kept him honest. He would honor her for the rest of their lives together. He smiled into her hope-filled gaze.

“And then I’ll ask you to marry me. You’ll protest. Say it’s too soon. And I’ll tell you I’ve waited my whole life to find you again. What would you say to that?”

“Yes,” she whispered, smiling up at him. “Yes, to everything.”

“You’re my everything.”

His lips sealed over hers in a kiss that would begin the rest of their happily ever after.

Epilogue

ONE YEAR LATER…

Lara glanced through her camera lens and adjusted the aperture.

Across from her in the low-slung seat of his Corvette convertible, Dominic glanced at the sky and shook his head. “As a subject, I’m not that interesting.”

She shot him a wicked grin. “I completely disagree.”

The wind whipped her hair in front of the lens. Hovering in her seat, she tossed her head to clear the view and managed to capture several shots of his stunningly handsome profile, his smile tucked into his cheek, revealing a faint dimple.

God, he was gorgeous. And all hers.

Still smiling, she lowered her camera, unhooked the extended lens and placed the separate pieces into her padded camera case. She’d caught a few great shots of the scenery as they drove through the mountains on their way to a car show in southern Colorado.

Contentment settled warmly inside her. Last October, when her world had fallen apart, seemed like ages ago.

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