He couldn’t breathe either. A myriad of emotions clashed within him, rendering him speechless, breathless and his heart did a hard, painful thumping pattern against his chest.
She was finally in his arms again and he didn’t plan on ever letting her go.
“I can’t believe you did that,” she murmured against his neck, her warm, damp lips brushing his skin. He shivered at the contact.
“I love you, Stephanie. I’d do anything to prove that to you.” He withdrew from her and slipped his fingers beneath her chin, tipping her head up so her gaze met his. “Anything.”
“I love you, too,” she admitted, blinking hard. Her eyes were swimming with unshed tears and his heart cracked at the sight of them.
“Don’t cry, baby.” He kissed her, his mouth brushing hers, trying to communicate all of those tender feelings he had for her without saying them.
Her arms slid around him, clutching at his back and he deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping inside her hot, wet mouth. She whimpered, her fingers clawing into his back, grappling at the fabric of his shirt and his cock twitched in response. He broke the kiss and stared down at her.
“Where’s your bedroom?”
“Down the hall, first door on the right. But Justin...” she began to protest but he ignored her.
Even though his knee throbbed and hurt like a bitch, he gathered her in his arms and picked her up, carrying her to her bedroom. She shoved at his shoulders, insisting he put her down, but he ignored her.
“Your knee,” she said, pushing at his shoulders with her slim hands again. “I saw you out on the field and you were limping. You’re hurting Justin, and I must weigh a ton.”
He gave her a little toss in his arms. “You’re light as a feather.”
With a giggle, she rolled her eyes. “You’re very kind but you’re also lying.”
Kicking her bedroom door open wider to allow their entry, he strode inside the small room, setting her on the edge of the bed. He loved this woman so much and he couldn’t wait to get her naked and writhing beneath him.
It had been far too long since he’d felt her skin against his.
* * *
Stephanie stared up at him in wonder, still amazed that Justin was here with her in her bedroom.
She’d thought him lost to her forever.
Justin came down on his knees, bringing him face level with her. He reached into his front pocket and withdrew the small black velvet box he’d shone earlier on TV. She held her breath, anticipation curling through her body, making her anxious and she clutched her hands together in her lap to keep from reaching for him.
He gazed at her with warm eyes, his sensuous mouth curved in the faintest smile. “I want you to be my wife, Stephanie. I can’t imagine living my life without you any longer.”
She said nothing as he popped open the tiny box and revealed the stunning two carat diamond solitaire nestled within. A gasp escaped her and she watched in awe as he pulled the ring from the box and held it toward her hand.
“Will you wear my ring, sweetheart? Will you marry me?”
Stephanie nodded and she could hardly breathe, she was so stunned at the beauty and sparkle of the diamond. The beauty and sparkle of this very moment they were sharing.
She held out her hand and he took hold of her wrist, slipping the diamond on the ring finger of her left hand. It was a perfect fit. Much like the two of them were a perfect fit.
“I love it,” she whispered, her gaze lifting to meet his. He stared at her, his golden gaze dark and intent on her face. “I love you, too.”
With those effortless, quick reflexes of his, he lunged toward her. Pushed her back onto the mattress and pinned her to the bed with his hard, warm body. He braced his elbows on either side of her head, bearing most of his upper body weight so he wouldn’t crush her. His expression was one of pure longing as his eyes wandered over her face, his lips parted sexily.
“I want you to move in with me,” he demanded as if expecting an argument.
“Okay.” There was no point in putting that off now they were going to be married.
His eyebrows rose. “That was easy.”
“Ssh.” She smiled. “Don’t let it get around that I’m easy.”