Page 73 of Power Play Pursuit

“You're the most amazing man I’ve ever met, James Adler. I love you so much, and I would be honored to be your wife.”

His smile widens into the biggest grin he’s ever sported, and he dips me low before kissing me, as though we’re at the end of a movie.

As I giggle against his lips, I know I made the right choice. Marissa couldn’t have said it better. James is the perfect man for me.

He brings me back up, then takesthe ring out of its box. “Now, I don't know if it’ll fit, but we can always resize it.”

I put it on, and it’s a little loose. “We should put it back for now. I’m afraid I might lose it.”

“Shoot. I was hoping you'd have her finger size,” he says, caressing my hands.

My forehead creases as I meet his eyes. “Um, what are you talking about?”

“Look inside the ring.”

When I bring it to my eyes, I see that it’s engraved. “To my Diane. Now and forever.”

“James, what—” I gasp, a hand flying to my mouth. “Your grandma!”

“Yep.” He nods, his eyes glassy. “It was her wedding ring. My grandpa gave it to her before leaving for the war and, well, he never came back.”

My heart falls. “Oh no.”

He takes my hand and squeezes it softly. “But she loved that ring—and my grandpa—all her life. When she was in the nursing home, she gave it to me and said, ‘One day, you’ll find the perfect woman to give it to.”

I shake my head slowly, my heart nearly bursting. Could this man be any cuter? I don’t even know how I’m still standing at this point. He was on the ice, body checking other tough guys, merely two hours ago. And now, my boyfriend is opening his heart to me. No, myfiancé.

My eyes stay glued to the treasured ring. “I—this is beautiful, and perfect. I'm so honored that you're giving such a precious heirloom to me. I promise to take care of it.”

“I thought about giving you that ring the first week I met you, Elizabeth Bowen. I always knew you were the one. I just had to make you see it too.”

“It's crystal clear now,” I say, brushing my fingertips over his jaw before dropping a long kiss on his lips. He kisses me back before dragging his lips along my jaw, exploring every inch of me.

Out of nowhere, he makes the Raptors sound, and I chuckle, pulling back to look at him. “By the way, did you know they use a turtle mating sound to create that raptor call in the movies?”

He freezes, still holding me. “Well, that’s disturbing.”

“So, are you gonna stop now?” I ask, defying him with my gaze.

He bumps his forehead with mine, a smile on his face. “Not a chance.”

As he lifts me up, his lips blaze a trail of heat down my neck, and I burst into a fit of giggles. This is exactly how I imagine our future together. Full of kisses and giggles—and probably a few turtle mating sounds.

---