Page 53 of Steamy Ever After

"Carter ..." My tone is gentle but persistent.

"What?" He chokes out the word then stops abruptly, giving me such an intense look that I can almost feel his pain.

"I have a proposal for you."

He rolls his eyes and rears back. "Riiiiiiight." His sardonic tone reveals unmistakable thoughts.

"I'm serious," I affirm, my eyes never leaving his.

"And you weren't serious yesterday? That's rich."

I take his arm. I can barely look into his eyes because I know I'm partly to blame for the pain I see there, but I also see a love that won't let me pull away.

"I'm going to make this short and sweet—and it's a true proposal. A bargain. I will marry you."

His brow hikes and he waits patiently for me to continue.

"I'll do it if you go to counseling."

A smile tugs at the corners of his mouth and I get a glimpse of the Carter I fell in love with. His smile turns wicked. "Is that a bribe I hear, Miss? You know you can get into a world of trouble for bribing a cop."

"Maybe I like trouble," I coyly respond.

He steps toward me, closing our distance. "You're a bad girl, Lacey Michelle," his tone is low, like a growl, sending sexy chills down my spine.

"No one but you and my mother have used both my name and tone so effectively," I respond, my voice just a hint above a whisper. "I'll risk a little trouble to make my point."

He hooks his arm around my waist and pulls me tightly against his body, making my breath hitch as desire rushes to my core. "State your case, woman."

I quickly rearrange my thoughts which tumbled like a fast-falling Jenga game the minute his lips came close to mine.

"What's coming up with Rose is going to be hard. I know because of what I went through with my mother."

"And?" his arm tightens.

"You're going to need your head on straight and your thoughts aligned for her. I think I can help."

"How so?" He gives me a wary look.

"Marry me. Marry me now." I take a breath. "My only condition is that you agree to counseling for your OCD."

He gives me a look of disbelief, as his warm breath skates across my lips. "You're serious?"

"It's a good proposal," I answer breathlessly. "You won't get a better one."

He studies me, then lets me go, and continues walking along the shore, but this time the water rolls over his feet.

"It's not possible, Lacey. Mom said she is going to see the doctor as soon as we get back."

"Agree, Carter." My tone is firm. "Trust me, and agree."

He stops to study me. "You sound like my mother. Hardheaded."

A flicker of happiness rushes through me. "To me, being compared to your mother is high praise that I'll take and, yes, I am as hardheaded as she is." I feel I'm about to burst from the exciting news, and I hope and pray he'll agree. "We can get married now. Here. I spoke with the pastor at St. Matthew's by the Sea. If we get the marriage license tomorrow he can perform the ceremony on Friday—if you agree."

His expression is soft and contemplative and in stark contrast with the determined look in his eyes.

An unsure weight lifts from my chest. "What I'm proposing is rushed and chaotic and completely spontaneous, feelings of which you aren't familiar. And I get that you don't like spontaneity but, if you agree, I think I can offer something that will make you happy."

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