Page 56 of Jonathan

“How were they on the ride?”

“I nearly had a riot on my hands. Every single one of my men were vying to see who would take them.” Picking up the sponge, he started on her feet. “You would think they had never seen beautiful women before.” His eyes narrowed. “At least they have stopped making passes at you.”

“Are you kidding?” She arched her feet in pleasure as he rubbed circles in her insteps. “One look from you had them scurrying away.”

“Good!” He muttered grimly. “I am the only one who’s supposed to look and touch.”

“You cannot stop anyone from looking. I have seen the way the women who came to the ranch in the last few days looked at you.”

“What women?”

“The ones who are here for the jam making or whatever. I have a feeling that most of them are here just to take a peek or to get noticed by you. And they resent the hell out of me.” He had reached her calves and were kneading the muscles.

“There’s a way to stop that.” His voice was casual, and his head bent to the task.

“What? Poke their eyes out.”

His chuckle was soft and warmed her heart. He had been more than a little aloof and distant since the incident and even though she had insisted that it was not on him, she knew he blamed himself.

“Nothing that extreme.” He met her eyes. “You can marry me, put a ring on my finger so that they know, I belong to you.”

Her feet jerked in his hands as she stared at him. “Is that a proposal?”

“It is, yes. So?”

“It’s not very romantic, is it?”

“You want romance? Rose petals on the bed, spelling out ‘marry me’?”

“That would be nice.”

“I am head over heels in love with you. When you’re near, I cannot breathe. I almost lost you and it dawned on me that I cannot live without you. I want to go to bed with you every night and wake up with you in my arms.” His eyes were intense, his face slightly flushed with purpose. “Put me out of my misery and marry me Kamilah.”

“My work…!” She began weakly, feeling as if her heart was about to burst out of her chest.

“I would never get between that. I know how important it is to you. We own a jet and a helicopter. If that’s not enough, we have shares in a commercial airline.” He slid towards her and wrapping his arms around her waist, pulled her on his knees. “I cannot let you go.

If you leave I will follow you. To the ends of the earth and drag you back here with me. I am not losing you. Even if I have to tie you up and lock you in my suite. Please say yes.” His voice had thickened. “I need you in my life.”

“Jon…!”

“Please.” His hands soapy and wide, cupped her breasts. “Don’t make me beg darling. Marry me. We could get it done before Christmas. I know you probably have some things to tie up back home.

We could take the jet and fly there tomorrow or Saturday and spend a couple of days. I have not taken you on a date. I know you love the theatre. We could make an adventure out of it. I can spare a few days. Say yes.” He demanded hoarsely.

“I was going to propose before the awful incident happened and I have been trying to work up the courage to do so ever since. But I did not know if you hated me or blamed me. All I know is that I cannot let you out of my sight. Not now, not ever.”

Emotions swamped her. She had told her friends that she was not certain how she felt, but that was a damn lie. She had also told them that she had to go back home, but it was not home anymore.

She who had thrived in the city and would never dream of doing small towns, had fallen in love with a man who lived in one, hell, who owned one. She loved him and even the thought of being away from him was making her crazy.

“Are you finished?” She asked quietly.

His eyes narrowed as he stared at her, uncertain of her mood.

“For now, yes. And if you are thinking of saying no, think hard – think very carefully. I am not above tying you to me.”

“I see.” Lifting her hands, she rubbed the suds over his neck and shoulders. “Will I have to bake?”

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