A Reunion And A Ring (Proposals & Promises 1)

He rose on one elbow, and she could see him just clearly enough to tell that his expression was very serious now. “We’re all-in this time, right? No more getting scared and running away?”

“I wouldn’t have come here today if I wasn’t ready to fully commit to you,” she answered evenly.

“I’m in, too. And to prove it...”

He turned to rummage in the nightstand drawer, from which he drew out a small box. “I dug this out after I left your place the other night. I’m not sure why exactly, but I’ve been carrying it ever since. Maybe in the hope that I’d finally have the chance to give it to you. I’ve wanted you to have it for more than ten years now.”

Sitting against the pillows with the sheet tucked beneath her arms, she blinked a little when he turned on the lamp. “What is it?”

“It belonged to my dad’s mother. I inherited it when I was just a teenager. I was going to give it to you for your twenty-first birthday, but, well...”

She bit her lip. They’d broken up two weeks before that birthday.

“Anyway, it’s always been yours,” he said quickly, putting those bad memories to rest. “I never wanted to give it to anyone else.”

Her hands shook so hard that he had to help her open the box.

The vintage ring was lovely. A simple gold band was set with a diamond flanked by two sapphires. None of the stones was particularly large, but all three were perfect. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

Gavin closed his hand over hers. “A

ll-in?”

She had to admit she was still a little scared. She suspected she would always worry when Gavin donned his badge and weapon and went out on the streets. Every report of an injured officer would terrify her. But she’d learn to deal with that. Maybe she’d make friends with J.T.’s wife and Avery’s wife and the husbands and wives of some of Gavin’s other coworkers. Maybe she’d pick up a few tips from them on how to deal with the fear. The man she loved was a cop, and he wasn’t going to change until or unless he was ready for something new. Because she’d fallen in love with him—twice—just as he was, she realized she didn’t even want him to change.

They’d been given a second chance. As he’d advised, she was going to appreciate every minute they had together. Starting now.

“All-in,” she told him, her voice entirely steady this time.

His smile flashed in the shadows.

She set the box aside and turned to wrap herself around him, one hand sliding beneath the sheet as she pressed her mouth to his throat.

“What are you doing?” he asked, making no effort at all to resist.

She smiled up at him. “I’m enjoying the moment. Do you have a problem with that?”

She could tell by the way he hardened in her hand that he had no problems at all.

With a laugh, he flipped her onto her back and towered over her. “I could get used to this new risk-taking Jenny.”

“Good,” she murmured, drawing his mouth down to hers. “Because I plan to be around for a very long time.”

His murmur of approval was muffled in a kiss that sealed the deal.

* * * * *

Look for Tess’s story, THE BOSS’S MARRIAGE PLAN the next installment of Gina Wilkins’s new Special Edition miniseries PROPOSALS & PROMISES

Keep reading for an excerpt from FOLLOWING DOCTOR’S ORDERS by Caro Carson.

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