Page 125 of Hot for the Jerk

Up to the gate I crawled, leaning out to punch in the code.The gate swung open, and I rumbled over the gravel to the gray house on the end.

Another yawn claimed me before I got to the door.It was open because nobody on the hill ever locked their doors, and I stepped inside, only to find the most incredible, romantic scene of my life.

White pillar candles of every size illuminated the otherwise dark room, and there he was, on bended knee, holding a ring box.He also had something else in his other fist.

My hand flew to my mouth in a gasp.

“Before you say anything, this has Marco’s approval and blessing.He helped me set it all up,” Jagger said.“The pillow was his idea.”That’s when I noticed the pillow under his knee, which just made me smile.

I swallowed.

“Raina Moraine Romney-Aaronson,” I cringed at his use of all my terrible names.The only name in there I liked was “Raina.”The rest could burn in hell.And Jagger knew how I felt about those names, so he said it on purpose.

I blinked a few times as my throat grew tight, and the backs of my eyes burned.

“I’ve loved you for so long, even when I thought I hated you.”

I hiccuped a laugh-sob.

“You challenge me.You amaze me.You inspire me.You encourage me.You give me strength, and hope, and love, and confidence.And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.I’ve never met a stronger, smarter, more headstrong woman, and while you drive me nuts, you also make me love you more and more every damn day.”His chin trembled beneath the luxurious beard.“Would you please, please become my wife?Become a McEvoy and ditch those other horrible names.”

I laugh-sobbed again, then nodded until my head threatened to fall off my neck.“Yes.Yes, I will marry you.”

“Thank god!”came a voice from upstairs.“It’s about time, you two!”

“You’re supposed to be in bed,” Jagger replied, smiling as he slid the ring onto my finger.

I pulled him up, and he took my mouth with a starved man’s passion and intensity.I fell into his arms, breathing in his exhales and letting him consume me, cradle me, and cherish me the way I always dreamed a man would.

When we finally came up for air, I was breathless and deliriously happy as tears of utter joy slid down my cheeks.Holding my face in his hands, he wiped the tears away.

The crinkle of a package against my cheek had me reaching up and taking it from him.“What’s this?”

I met his gaze, confused why he had an unopened pregnancy test.My eyes flew open.

“You’re over a week late,” he said, the excitement in his hooded eyes undeniable.“You’ve been working so much lately, I bet you thought it was stress.Or that you didn’t even clue in to the fact that you were late?”

I shook my head, because he was totally right.This summer was already gearing up to be our busiest yet, and I was swamped.

“Do you … should I …” I glanced behind me at the two-piece bathroom in the downstairs hallway that led to Jagger’s home gym.

He shrugged.“We could have two things to celebrate tonight.”

“Idoneed to pee,” I said, nodding.

“Can I come down yet?”Marco called from upstairs.

“Up to you.”Jagger made one of his adorable half smiles.

“Come on,” I replied.

My son thundered down the hall and the stairs, throwing himself at us.“Will Jagger adopt me when you guys get married?I don’t want to be the only Aaronson.I don’t want to be an Aaronson at all.I want to be a McEvoy.”He held an arm around each of us and stared into our eyes.“Can I be a McEvoy?”Then he spied the pregnancy test in my hand.“What’s that?”

“Uh …”

“Dude, I will absolutely adopt you,” Jagger replied.“I can’t wait to make it official.”

Marco beamed.

---