Page 46 of Burning for Him

“Mmmaybe. Want to test that theory in a little while with round two?”

He snorted, then grinned. “You’re going to be the death of me, woman.”

“But what a way to go, right?” She kissed him until they needed to come up for air again. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

She brushed her fingers over his eyebrows, and her tone grew serious. “You know, I waited for what seems like forever for this. Don’t ever leave me.”

Grasping her hand, he brought it to his lips and kissed her fingertips. “Not a chance in hell, sweetheart. I’m here for the long haul.”

“Good because so am I.”

EPILOGUE

One year later...

Doug stood up from his office chair, then sat back down again. It was the fourth or fifth time he’d done that while trying to summon up the courage to knock on Ian’s door. He honestly didn’t think the man would turn him down, but he was still scared shitless.

He covered his face with his hands in frustration, but a loud knock had him dropping them again. Jake stood in the open doorway with his arms crossed, glaring at him. “What the fuck is up with you? I’m in my office trying to get some work done, and you’re over here, standing, sitting, standing, sitting, standing, sitting, and looking like you want to puke. If you’re going to hurl, take it outside or something. Don’t mess up the bathroom.”

Their offices were across the hall from each other, so it was no surprise that the other man noticed Doug’s inane antics. “I’m not sick. I’m just...I need to go talk to Ian and...Shit, I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”

Jake stared at him for a few moments before a slow grin spread across his face. “Ah. I get it. Don’t worry about it. You’redoing the right thing. I think he’s been expecting you to ask if you can marry Jenn.”

“Yeah? Really?”

“The women have been gossiping lately, wondering when you’re going to propose. Ian caught wind of it and blew his top before Angie calmed him down. Now that he’s had some time to come to terms with it, I think you’re good to go. I mean, you’re already living with her, so he had to know a ring was coming at some point.”

He moved into Jenn’s apartment a few months ago, after they’d discussed it for a bit and decided that living at the compound instead of his place made sense. He no longer had to drive to work, and it was closer to her job than the condo, which he eventually rented out to one of the married bodyguards who worked for him. Jenn was also able to hang out with her aunts in the she-shed or see her nieces and nephews whenever she wanted. Of course, her uncles had to chime in and proclaim it was safer for Jenn to live at the compound. That had been the final tipping point for Doug when he thought about all the danger that had and could still come her way because of her association with everyone at Trident. Surprisingly, her uncles hadn’t given him a ton of shit about him moving in with her—there’d been some, but as usual, Jenn shut that shit down quickly.

Doug flopped his head back against the chair. “What if he’s just waiting for me to ask so he can say no?”

Leaning against the door jamb, Jake shook his head. “If he wasn’t okay with you two being a couple and living together, you’d be shark food by now. I know we all gave you a hard time in the beginning, but that’s what happens when you’ve known a woman you consider family since she was born and watched her grow up. Even before everything that happened with her folks, we were all overly protective of her. I’ll be the first to admitthat, but given our military backgrounds and the lifestyle we’re in, it’s to be expected. But to Ian, she’s more like a daughter than a niece. He’ll be the same way when Peyton is old enough. I feel bad for any little high school shit who wants to date her. Poor guys will show up to take her out, and he’ll be sitting there, cleaning his guns, and making them piss their pants.”

Doug snorted. “And Nick’ll be sitting on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, cackling his ass off, I’m sure.”

A boisterous laugh erupted from Jake. “You got that right. I might sit right next to him to enjoy the show.” He paused for a moment. “Seriously. You and Jenn are good for each other. You make her happier than I’ve seen her since before her folks died, maybe ever. If this is the only thing holding you back from proposing, just go talk to him. I think he’ll surprise you.”

Although not entirely convinced, he forced himself to stand. “You’re right. He’s had plenty of time to kill me before now, and I haven’t given him any reason to say no, right?”

“Right.”

Jake moved out of Doug’s way so he could exit the office, but then the man followed him down the hall toward the reception area. Doug glanced over his shoulder. “Where are you going?”

“To find Junior. He’s helping Stefan with the new class. For once, I’ve got some hot gossip before my husband, and I can’t wait to throw it in his face.”

Doug chuckled and shook his head. “Just tell him to keep his trap shut until I actually do this.”

“No problem.”

They separated by Colleen’s desk, with Jake slapping Doug on the back before striding toward the door to the parking lot. “Good luck.”

“Thanks.” He stopped beside Colleen. “Is Ian busy?”

She smiled up at him. “Just signing everyone’s paycheck. He’s not on the landline, but he could be on his cell, so knock first.”

“Thanks.”

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