Page 57 of Jonathan

His heart hammered, and hope soared through him like a storm cloud.

“Not unless you’re baking for me.”

“How many nights will I have to sleep alone while you’re what? Riding the range?”

He grinned at that.

“None. I will come home to you, whether through rain or shine. I have no intention of sleeping away from you.” He felt his body tingling at her touch. She was rubbing the suds into his chest.

“In that case,” she continued briskly. “I would say you have a positive response to your unromantic proposal.”

His body felt as if it was poised to take flight. “I am going to need to hear the actual words.”

“You are one very pushy cowboy, aren’t you?”

“The words, darling, and a declaration of love.” His hands were moving up her back slowly.

“All of that.”

“Yes.”

“Well,” She eased out a breath and wrapped her hands around his neck. “I love you.”

Emotions choked her and formed a lump in her throat. Tears filled her glorious eyes and sent him spinning. “I thought it was a game. Wanted it to be. I never came here looking for romance. That was the last thing I thought I wanted. I never knew how dissatisfied I was with my life until I met you.

I thought that work could make up for the lack and I threw myself in, until I met you and everything changed.” She swallowed. “I changed. You changed me, darling. I love you so damn much that I cannot…” She had to swallow again.

“Make love to me. I want to feel you deep inside me. I want you giving me babies. Starting with one. And yes! God yes! I will marry you as soon as we can make the arrangements. I want big and splashy…” She arched her head and laughed in sheer joy of being alive and in love with this wonderful man.

His breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, he simply held her, absorbing the magnitude of her words and the love that radiated from her. He buried his face in her neck, feeling the warmth of her skin and the steady beat of her heart against his chest.

“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive, Kamilah.”

She pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes, her own still shimmering with tears. “We have so much to plan,” she said, her smile widening. “A big, splashy wedding, just like I’ve always dreamed.”

He grinned, his own excitement bubbling to the surface. “Whatever you want, my love. We’ll have the most beautiful wedding anyone has ever seen.”

She laughed, the sound like music to his ears. “And then, our life together,” she said, her voice softening. “A life full of love, adventure, and happiness.”

“But first…” Rising with her wrapped around him, he stepped out of the tub and grabbed some towels. With the water making puddles around him, he carried her into the bedroom. Spreading one of the towels down, he laid her down carefully.

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t. I need you.”

With his eyes holding hers, he toweled her dry, using the soft material to slide over her skin, the movement erotic and exciting. When he reached her lower body, she was already on fire for him.

“Now, please.”

“Not yet.” His voice was hoarse with emotions, his body swollen to painful proportions. But he was determined to take his time. He wanted to draw it out. Wanted to seal their engagement with love and care. “You’re mine. Say it.” He rasped. He was using the tip of his finger, covered by the soft cloth to worry her mound.

“I am yours.” She was gasping, her body arching towards his finger.

“Tell me you love me.” He plunged the fingers into her and had her arching, body trembling.

“I love you.” God!” The climax slammed into her starved body and had her calling out his name.

“I can’t.”

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