Page 26 of She's Got that Heat

“Or…” I walk my fingers up his chest to tickle his chin. “Maybe I should just clear out the apartment completely. You wouldn’t mind if I moved in with you this weekend, would you?”

I squeal as I’m lifted in the air and spun around twice. The second my feet touch the ground again, Damon kisses me. We’re always kissing, and it’s interesting how each one has aslightly different energy. This one, he’s letting himself relax into it completely.

Pulling away, I examine his eyes, which are positively glowing. “You knew I was going to say yes soon, right?”

He’s so adorable when he grins like that. “Yes, but you don’t count chickens before they hatch, and all that.”

“Well, the hatching will commence on Saturday morning. Mrs. Meno found someone perfect starting next month. How’s that sound?”

“Perfect.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “Do you need anything while I’m here? Coffee? Juice?”

“I’m good, thanks.”

He looks toward the security camera but grabs my ass anyway. I pull my dusting cloth out of my apron pocket and smack him with it. “The nerve!”

“Please, you love it.”

“And I love you.”

Damon steps closer to murmur across my lips. “I love you so much, Allie. I promise I’m going to be good to you.”

And as he walks out, holding the door open for Mrs. Cole so she can come in, I know in my heart that he’s absolutely right.

EPILOGUE ONE

DAMON

* One Year Later *

It’s been an intense but fantastic weekend so far.

Sprawled across the enormous bed in an elegant hotel room in Kingsville, I can hear Allie puttering in the bathroom, probably taking off her makeup from our fancy dinner out.

I brought her to the city this weekend for a very special six-month wedding anniversary trip. Friday was spent at the hospital for an x-ray and a CT scan, to confirm that her migraines are just that: migraines.

I did some reading, and sometimes in the middle of terrible pain your mind can start spinning, worrying that it could be something even worse. I wanted both of us to know for sure that it wasn’t, so we could tune out that nasty voice out if it ever cropped up.

They’ll book her for an MRI if they find anything on the scans, but we’re fairly sure that everything is fine. Allie had asked the technician if they looked clear, and she said she wasn’t allowed to say anything – that it’s up to the doctor to send resultsin a couple of weeks. But then she mouthed the words “all clear” and gave a big thumbs up.

I wasn’t sure about any potential reactions to the contrast material for the CT scan, so I took Allie straight back to our hotel room Friday night and fed her smoothies, fresh fruit, and a light dinner to flush it all out of her system, just to be extra sure.

After all that excitement, today was spent strolling around checking out art galleries, bookstores, and having a quiet drink at a beach-themed place called Endless Waves. There was no beach glass nearby for her to hunt for, but I’ve taken her to various beaches several times to search for jewelry materials. She made necklaces for both of our mothers last Christmas.

Then we went to that fancy Italian spot for dinner, where it was nearly impossible to stop making out right there in the booth.

Finally, Allie comes out of the bathroom, and my jaw drops open. Her makeup is gone, and her long, dark hair is piled on top of her head in a messy bun. She’s wearing nothing but the hotel bathrobe, her wedding rings, and a smile.

As she slowly walks toward me, I stand up, strip, then slip back into the bed, patting the spot beside me invitingly.

“In case I haven’t mentioned it to my sweet husband ten times already,” she says, fluttering her lashes, “getting diagnostic brain imaging for our anniversary is the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard of.”

“I hope it was also romantic taking my beautiful wife out for a spectacular dinner tonight.”

Allie slips into the bed, cuddling up next to me. “Yes, that was amazing. But I’m sure you’re very sleepy after that steak.”

“Not at all.” I raise my eyebrows suggestively. “I actually think I’m energized.”

Her fingers walk a slow circle around my chest. “Energized, hmm? Maybe we should burn some of that off, or you’ll neverfall asleep properly. We do have that gallery opening you wanted to take in tomorrow.”