'Yes,' she breathed.
It was all he needed to hear. He sank into the warm, silky water, braced his back against the side, and pulled her with him so she straddled his hips. She gasped as his erection slid against the heat of her, and for as much as he ached to complete their union, he held back.
He smoothed damp, unruly strands away from her face. 'Then I promise to give you love and laughter, and a happily ever after.'
She stiffened, her eyes widening in shock. 'Are you…'
'Proposing?' he suggested.
She settled her hands on his shoulders and nodded, hope and uncertainties mingling in her gaze.
He lazily, leisurely stroked his hands along her spine to her hips, loving the feel of her. 'Yes, I am.'
'You really want to marry me?' Disbelief tinged her voice. 'I mean, that's a big step, a huge commitment-'
'One I'm finally ready for,' he assured her. But doubts still lingered for her-he could see them in her expression, and suspected those uncertainties tied in to his profession. 'Would you believe that working on divorce cases makes me more aware of how difficult it is to make a relationship work? I've felt that way for years, and I've developed an appreciation and respect for my parents' strong marriage. Those traditional values are what I want for myself. With you. And just so you know going into this, I want kids, too.' He grinned, knowing that wouldn't be a problem for her at all. Knowing, too, how much fun they'd have making those babies.
A joyful moisture filled her eyes. 'A family,' she whispered.
'Yeah, a family,' he agreed. 'One for us to love, and share, and grow old with.'
She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. 'It scares me how much I need you, Ryan,' she said after a poignant moment had passed. Her open honesty humbled him. Tangling his fingers in her hair, he gently pulled her back, just enough to look into her eyes. The water lapped between them erotically, her taut nipples brushed against his chest, but Ryan resisted the urge to give in to the tantalizing delights beckoning to them.
'Hell, Jessie, this is all new to me, too.' He smiled in understanding. 'I was hoping we could figure out this love and forever thing together.'
A shiver passed through her body, and a hint of remorse creased her delicate brows. 'You're right, of course. We'll work on it together. I guess old insecurities die hard. Can you forgive me?'
'Ah, sweetheart, there's absolutely nothing to forgive.' He caressed a thumb along her frown, making it disappear beneath his touch. 'Just say you'll marry me so I'll know you'll always be mine.'
A sassy, naughty sparkle suddenly entered her gaze. Sliding intimately closer, she squeezed her knees shamelessly against his hips. 'Umm, do you think you could
He groaned as his erection strained between them. Knowing her innocent request would lead to a thrilling build-up to her ultimate surrender, he played along. 'I'll certainly do my best,' he drawled, and guided her warm and willing mouth to his.
Her lips parted, soft and welcoming. His tongue dipped and parried and swirled with hers in a slow, deep, rapacious kiss. Beneath the water, he glided his flattened palms up her thighs, until his thumbs parted her slick flesh, stroked rhythmically, and expertly brought her to that exquisite crest.
Stopping his illicit caresses before she fell over the edge, he lifted his head and met her heavy-lidded gaze. 'Marry me,' he murmured.
Her face was beautifully flushed with arousal and the heat of the water, her breathing heavy. 'Maybe,' she said huskily, then dampened her lips with her tongue. 'I think you need to be more persuasive.'
He grinned wickedly, and slanted his mouth possessively over hers. With his hands on her hips, he lifted her, brought her flush against his length, then let her sleek, wet body slowly glide back down his chest, his belly, until his hard, aroused flesh demanded entrance between her silky thighs. She moaned and shuddered, and with excruciating slowness, he impaled her on his shaft, sheathing himself in measured, gradual degrees until he was deep inside her.
He inhaled sharply as she rocked urgently against him, intending to coax him to a quick climax. He stilled her seductive movements with his hands on her waist and struggled for a semblance of control.
'Before I let you take advantage of me like you intend to, I need an answer first,' he rasped, trying not to lose himself in the dark desire shimmering in her eyes. The pure adoration. 'Be my wife, Jessie. My lover. My best friend.'
Framing his face between her hands, she captured his gaze in the romantic candlelight. 'Yes,' she said without hesitation. 'I'll be all those things for you… your wife, your lover, your best friend.'
A cocksure grin tipped his mouth. 'It's nice to know I haven't lost my touch.'
She rolled her eyes at his teasing comment. 'Considering all the years ahead of us, I'll make sure you have plenty of practice.'
Oh, he didn't doubt her claim for a second. And as he seduced her body with pleasure, and she gave of herself with abandon, he knew he was a lucky man, indeed.
Janelle Denison
