Page 66 of Protection for Rowan

She shook her head. “No, this is good. I think I need to move my office, though. Maybe something closer to the Navy base and the airport.”

“That could work.”

She chuckled, and relief filled her. With Charles gone,she really would be able to relax. Everything would have turned out so much worse if Shine hadn’t had a feeling that she needed help. She also needed to thank Thario and all the men on his team. Their work trying to find the jerk had saved her.

First, she needed to feel Shine up against her. When he set her bag down in the den, she took his hand and led him to the bathroom before she began removing his clothes.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

She nodded. “Yes. I know you’re safe. You’re the man for me. I want all of you. And I trust you. Whatever was twisted up in my mind before is better. I need to meditate more, and I need to take time for myself, maybe working less, but I trust you and want you.”

He lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers before whispering, “I love you.”

“I love you, too. You’re the man for me. I want to spend my life with you.”

“Good, because I want to spend my life with you. We’re good together.”

Her heart sped up. “Yes, we are.”

“Marry me.”

Laughter bubbled up because she felt so good. “Yes! When?”

Shine’s smile grew bigger. “This weekend?”

Rowan pulled him close. She couldn’t believe everything was coming together so well. She’d been lucky long ago when they’d been at the same summer camp and on the same flight. They’d saved each other when the plane crashed, and now she was lucky to have run into him again. He’d saved her not once but twice. They were destined to be together.

While he helped her out of her clothes, she helped him remove his. Having him up against her felt perfect. After aquick shower, he led her to the bedroom, where he stretched out so she could get on top of him.

Sex with Shine was more than just sex between them. They were two souls coming together, making something better than they would ever have alone. She was thrilled she got to do this with Shine, the man who kept saving her. Together, they were great, and she knew they were made for each other.

Chapter 51

Squat eyed the phone,unhappy to see his uncle’s name pop up on the display. The last thing he needed was some guilt piled on. He had to answer. Otherwise, he would hear about it for a long time from his parents.

“Hello, Uncle Bill.”

“Christopher, it’s good to hear your voice.”

He couldn’t lie. It wasn’t good to hear from Bill. The man had terrorized him when he’d been younger. Shortness had no place in his family, and Bill had made sure to let Christopher know he also had no place.

“What do you need?”

Bill was silent for a moment but didn’t hang up. “You always were a little shit. Should have pushed you in that well when you were younger.”

Squat abandoned all pretenses. “What do you want, Bill?”

“Danny, your cousin, was at a party last week. Said he saw your ex, Asher, that little cu?—”

“Don’t finish that thought. What was Asher up to?”

Bill let go of a huff. “The bitch was causing problems, so a couple of guys gave it right back. I don’t care for you. I think you’re a piece of shit. Still don’t know why the Navy hasn’t sent you packing. But I don’t think it’s right for women to end up in a situation like Asher is in now.”

“What situation is that?”

“Danny said they put her in the back of their car. Said they were going to sell her on a market they know about.”

Anger filled Squat. He knew the markets existed because they’d shut down some. But hearing Asher was being sold didn’t tell him much. He was across the country and had no way of checking out what Bill was saying. He guessed he should be happy that Bill had called, but he knew from experience Bill only contacted him if he wanted something.

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