Page 40 of Bewitched

Her heart sped up as she lifted the lid off. It was too big for a ring box, so she figured she was safe. The last thing she wanted was for him to suggest they get married. Nestled inside the box was a bracelet. Lifting it out, she saw that it had charms attached. One was a heart and the other was a little boy. Tears slipped down her face, and she wiped her cheeks quickly with the back of her hand. “Oh Blake, it’s perfect. How did you know I love charm bracelets?”

He lifted it out of her hand, placed it on her arm, and fastened it. “I gave you a heart in Jordan, and I’m giving you another one so you know I’m serious. I plan on filling this thing up for the rest of our lives.” Slipping his arm around her shoulder, he held her close. “We’re going to be something, Paige. And if it’s up to me, it’s going to be something we want to hold on to.”

Leaning into his big body, she felt the sincerity of his words. He wasn’t a man who said things he didn’t mean. He was a man of action. If he said it, he did it, and that was that.

Which meant she had a choice to make, and it wasn’t fair to either one of them if she didn’t do it quickly. Leading someone on was crappy, so either she let him in or let him go.

Blake kissed her head and lifted her hand. “Maybe I should find an ice cream charm.”

“I’m going to have a double scoop of ice cream. Prepare yourself.”

“Make it a triple. That boy of mine loves ice cream, just like his daddy.”

Standing, she turned and faced him. “Thank you for this lovely bracelet. I’ve always wanted one.” Framing his face, she leaned in and kissed him. “You are a good man, Blake, and I’m lucky that my son will have such an amazing father.”

He pulled her into his lap and kissed her back. “Paige, I want you to be happy. Do you want that for me?”

“Of course.”

“Honey, will you just admit that I’m your boyfriend? It’s not that much to ask, considering you’re carrying my son and sleeping with me.”

Throwing her head back, she laughed. “Okay, Blake. You’re my boyfriend.”

“Give me a kiss and then I’ll leave it be.” He leaned over and waited.

Tugging him down, she gave him a good one. “Happy?”

He gave her another kiss and then winked. “Getting there. It’s taken me days to get you to admit it, so yes, it’s a start.”

“I knew you had a plan. I’m afraid that was just the first step. I’m scared to death to find out what else you have planned.”

He ran his finger over the heart that hung on the necklace he’d given her in Amaan. “Probably not going to be happy until I own your heart completely.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Hopping off his lap, she waited. “I need my ice cream now.”

“Okay.” He stood and picked up the basket. “Which way to the ice cream?”

Tugging his hand, she led him toward the stairs. “Follow me.”

“Always,” he replied as he laughed.

As they walked along the path, she finally admitted to herself that Blake wasn’t the sort of man who would be satisfied with some wimpy boyfriend title. He was a man who wanted everything. The problem was, once he had everything, would he stick around? His job was in San Diego, and he was gone for months at a time. If she did fall head over heels for him, then she was going to be alone in Texas with a baby and a broken heart while he was on the other side of the world. That’s what she was afraid of most. Once he had her heart, she wouldn’t ever get it back.

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