Page 159 of One Touch

As I looked back up at my star, I felt Ethan move beside me. When I turned, my breath caught in my throat. There he was, down on one knee, holding a small velvet box.

“Lily Lane,” he began, his voice husky with emotion, “for so long, I was sure I was broken. You showed me how to be whole. I thought I was a coward. You showed me how brave I could be. I hadn’t just forgotten how to love—I had forgotten how to live, too. And you . . . you haven’t just reminded me of what I’m capable of. You’ve let me see that I’m capable of so, so much more.”

I couldn’t stop the tears now, my heart pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it.

“Most importantly of all, you’ve made me see that some things are worth risking everything for. So . . . here’s another risk.” He paused, taking a shaky breath. “Lils, will you marry me?”

He opened the box, revealing a stunning sapphire ring. For a moment, I was speechless, overwhelmed by the depth of love I felt.

“Yes,” I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper. “Yes, Ethan McCoy, I’ll marry you!”

I fell into Ethan’s arms. He smelled so good—just like he always did. Spice, smoke, sandalwood, sex. He pulled me in, slipping the ring onto my finger, then met my lips with a passionate kiss. His hands moved over me, and my body trembled as he pushed deeper, kissed harder, touched my soul.

As we broke apart, breathless, I couldn’t help but giggle. “You remember when you told me you were as romantic as a dead fish?” I paused. “And then that time you told me you’d destroy me?”

Ethan’s low chuckle rippled through me. “I guess I’ve upped my game.”

His hands slid down my back, and I felt a familiar heat building inside me. “Speaking of upping your game . . .” I murmured, trailing kisses along his jaw.

Ethan’s eyes darkened with desire. “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting, future Mrs. McCoy?”

“Well, we’re already outside under the stars, next to a fire. It’s warm out, almost too warm for clothes . . .”

Without another word, Ethan pulled me in tight, his lips crashing against mine. As we sank onto the blanket laid out beside the telescope, I couldn’t help but think this wasbetterthan any romance novel I’d ever read.

And as he started to move inside me, I had the strangest feeling, like the universe was watching us. Smiling. Somewhere, up above, my star was burning, bright and beautiful. It would be there, looking over us, for all of our happy ever after.

***

---