Page 161 of Protective Heroes

Still holding her hand, he eased back the lid to the ornament-shaped box he clasped. “I meant it when I asked you before. You’re the one for me, baby. I can’t take another day of you not being mine.”

Tears welled in her eyes, causing a whirlwind of emotions within him as well.

“Willa Cruz, will you take me as your husband?”

Fear held a death grip around his heart.

Air refused to fill his lungs.

Her gaze danced between his and then his whole world fell out of slow motion and hit fast-forward all at once.

Like a fucking hurricane.

He was ready.

Willa threw herself into his arms and he took her weight against him, held her close and protected her against what was coming.

Perched only on one knee, he fell back and cushioned her weight as they toppled over. She claimed his in a fiercely possessive crush. The force she used to convey her emotions knocked the air right out of him. Luck or fate, he didn’t know, but he sure as hell wouldn’t waste another minute.

He wrapped his arms around her and hoisted her to straddle his waist. This was fast becoming his favorite position. “So, I take that as a yes?”

“¡Sí, mí amor! Oh, Nathan, yes. Yes. And I meant my answer earlier.”

“I had to make sure it wasn’t in the heat of passion.”

“I understand.”

He gathered her hand in his arms once more. Gently, if not reverently, he eased the diamond engagement ring around her finger.

“Do I want to know how you managed an engagement ring on such short notice?” The tease pulled her beautiful lips into a smirk that made him want to kiss her long after the Christmas lights came down. On sultry summer nights and freezing winter nights for years, decades to come.

“It took a few favors, ones I’ll probably be paying back for years to come, a couple run red lights and a parking ticket, but I managed just fine, don’t you think?”

Her eyes lit up with such joy he didn’t ever want to see them filled with pain again. Especially if he could help it.

“Te amo. You know that right? That I love you?” she purred into his ear.

With those two words, he was home. “Love you too, amor.”

His Spanish sounded rough and little off-key even to his ears, but the giggle for his efforts, and the way her breasts swayed temptingly in front of him made it worthwhile. No way could he resist plucking the sweet plums for a taste.

“Don’t think for a minute that I’m done with you. Now, about that resignation. I think a spanking for Christmas is in order.”

She winked. “Yes, Captain!”

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