Page 150 of Better Late Than Never

I stared at him. “But… I mean, I can only—I can’t get a visa and the Navy won’t move me or my stuff unless we’re… married.”

My own words made my heart stop.

So did the way he smiled. “I know—that was my next question.”

“Your…” My jaw went slack. “Are you…”

“Yes. I am. I miss you. And I love you. And I want us to be together—full stop.” Still gripping my hand, still holding my gaze, he went to one knee. “Will you marry me, Alex?”

For a couple of heartbeats, I couldn’t even breathe. Was this real?

But the earnestness shining those beautiful dark eyes said that, yes, this was real. Connor really was proposing to me.

I managed a quiet laugh as my own eyes welled up, and I nodded. “Are you fucking kidding me? Of course I will.”

The way he smiled—oh God. This reallywasreal, wasn’t it?

Then he was on his feet and his hands were on my neck, and he pressed the softest, most tender kiss to my lips, and I almost cried.

He really wanted this. All that sleep I’d lost, thinking he’d eventually decide I wasn’t worth the effort, and now… this.

He wanted a future. With me. He wantedforeverwith me.

I touched my forehead to his. “I love you, baby.”

“I love you too.” He brushed his lips across mine. “And I don’t care if we do a big shindig like Quinn and Savannah, or if we do it at a courthouse on a Tuesday afternoon.” He ran his thumb across my cheekbone. “I just want you as my husband, and I want you on the same side of the ocean as me.”

“Me too,” I whispered shakily. “And I don’t care about the venue either. But… the sooner the better?”

I had a split second to irrationally worry that would put him off, but his eyes lit up and he kissed me again. “How long are you in town?”

“Six days.”

“Think that’s enough time?”

Holy shit. Were we… Was he…

“You really want to do this?” I drew back and met his sparkling eyes. “Get married like…now?”

“I’m in if you are.” He sobered a little and glanced toward the reception we’d left. “Or… maybe not quite that soon. I don’t want to overshadow the kids.”

“No, of course not. But soon?”

“As soon as possible. We can always do something quick—maybe in Gibraltar when you come visit after you graduate?”

My heart fluttered. “Yeah. Yeah, let’s do that! Then we can have a reception or something later. So the family can be there.”

His smile was the best thing in the world. I didn’t give a damn if we did this next week or next year. Connor wanted to marry me. He wanted this for real. That was all I cared about.

“Obviously we’ll keep this between us for now.” He tilted his head toward the reception. “Since it’s their day.”

“Of course.” I grinned. “We’ve kept secrets before, so…”

His quiet laugh lit up the whole night. “Yeah, but this one won’t be quite such a disaster if it comes out.” He half-shrugged. “I just don’t want to steal the kids’ spotlight.”

“No, definitely not.”

His laugh turned to a soft smile as he caressed my cheek. “I wasn’t even going to do it tonight—I left your ring in the room—but… I don’t know.” He kissed me gently. “Just didn’t want to wait any longer.”

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