Page 50 of Sweet Temptation

She whirled to find him leaning against the island. He winked at her as he popped one of her appetizers in his mouth. “I taste...coffee? So good.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were back today?” Her shriek echoed off the high ceiling. Love, excitement, lust—so many feelings flooded her, overwhelmed her, and before she could even think about what she was doing, she was on him, arms around his shoulders, drawing his head down for a kiss.

“Fuck,” he muttered against her mouth as she plastered her lips against his. She’d always let him take control of their kisses, but now her tongue flicked out, traced the seam of his mouth, demanding entrance. He sank into her, fisting his hands in her hair as they tasted each other for the first time in months.

“Let’s go to the storage room,” she mumbled against his lips with a grin. “Dinner will wait, and I bought a lock for the door.”

He groaned against her, crushing her to him before pulling back. They were both out of breath, barely aware of Amy’s wolf whistle as they stared at each other, cornflower blue eyes into the icy green.

“I’m two weeks late because I was waiting to pick up something I ordered,” he started, reaching into his pocket.

“You’re doing this right now?” This time it was Theo who whistled. “You don’t waste time, my man.”

“It’s been long enough.” John looked sideways at Theo, who grinned and clapped his hands together. “If I may have your attention, everyone! Gather around.”

“What’s going on?” Meg spoke slowly, but a terrible hope was building inside her. She’d gotten through the last few months on coffee and nerves, worried that every time she saw John’s face on her phone screen, he would tell her he’d changed his mind, that he couldn’t leave his old life.

John waited until Jo, Theo, Beth, Ford, Amy and Mamesie had gathered around. Even Jada and Ava were there, and the latter caught his eye and winked—he’d gotten her opinion on what was in his pocket.

Pulling out the small velvet box, he dropped to one knee, and Meg made a choking sound.

“I know most people are together for a lot longer than we’ve been before they get engaged,” he started, and Meg made another sound, pressing a hand to her mouth. “But I think we both know. We’ve known since the first time we saw each other that this is it.”

Ava sighed when John cracked the box open to reveal a vintage diamond ring. He thought he saw Amy brush hands with her out of the corner of his eye, but he couldn’t focus on anything besides Meg.

“I’ve been looking for the right ring since I left, pretty much.” He took it from the box, tossing the box aside. “I wanted something that made me think of you. I found this little vintage shop in San Jose, and when the salesperson told me it was a pear-shaped diamond, I knew it was right.”

He winked at her, and she blushed.

“Meg Marchande, I don’t know what our futures hold. And as of this moment, I’m unemployed, so understand when I ask this that you’re about to be my sugar mama.” He grinned up at her as he winked again, and she burst into laughter, bouncing on her toes. A timer went off, and he naturally looked toward the source of the sound. She placed a palm on his cheek and drew him back to her.

“Hurry up! I have steaks in the oven.”

He laughed again but did as she asked.

“Marry me, Meg.” He slid the ring onto her finger. “As soon as possible. Tomorrow, even. Let’s make it official.”

She made a sound that was a half sob, half gasp.

“Yes,” she choked out. “But not tomorrow. Next week, so I have time to cook food for the reception.”

He felt a tingling at the soles of his feet, in his gut, traveling out to encompass his entire body. Had she... Had she just said yes?

He’d achieved a lot in his life, but this...this was probably the best thing he’d ever done.

“Was the ring what you were waiting for?” Meg looked at the diamond on her finger as though she couldn’t believe it was real. She turned her hand back and forth, catching the sparkle of it in the fluorescent light.

“Nope.” He waited until he had her attention again, then reached into his pocket once more. This time he drew out a small silver key ring, with a brass key dangling from it.

“What’s that?” Ha. She’d known what he was going to do from the second he’d pulled out the velvet box, but this—this would be a surprise. And, he hoped, a gesture that showed her he meant what he said.

He wanted to marry her—tomorrow, next week or whenever. And this...this proved that he wanted to stay.

“Does the address 44 Faraday Court ring any bells?” Elation swept through him as her eyes widened. He laughed when she grabbed at the key.

“Are you kidding me?” She slid the key ring over her pointer finger and lifted it into the light. “How the hell did you know about the house? I was crushed when I got the Aronson deal and then found out it had been sold.”

“It was sold to me.” Unable to resist, he dipped his head for a kiss. “Of course, your name is on the title. I figured that was fair, since you’re my sugar mama now.”

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