“Wait…are you…” Her heart exploding, words just gone.
He took the ring then turned her hand around. “Yes, Kinsley. I want us. A family. I want you forever.”
Her breath hitched, tears falling.
“I love you, Kinsley. Will you marry me?”
She stared at him, her fingers and feet tingling, her voice absent.
Silence settled in for so long that his mouth twitched. “I know I’m not great at all of this,” he said, “but usually there’s a response at this point, isn’t there?”
She forced her voice to work. “I have envisioned this moment so many times. Dreamed of it, really. But now I’m actually wondering if maybe I died in that chop shop and I’ve gone to heaven. Everything you just said is too good, too perfect. It can’t be real.”
He took her finger and slid the ring on. It was a perfect fit. Whenever her grandmother let her try on this ring, it hung off her finger. She both laughed and cried when the ring settled into place. “Does that feel real?” he asked.
“Yes, but still too perfect,” she said. “I need something…something more to show me this is real.” She wanted him—no, needed him—but Rhett had been worried and scared, and she knew he’d be too gentle, too soft. She didn’t want that. Not now. Not when she needed to believe that all this was actually happening.
A frown tugged on his mouth. “You’re hurt.”
She shook her head. “My hip is tender from landing on it, but otherwise, I’m fine.”
He pulled back. “Today was traumatic.” He jumped off the truck, reaching for her waist. “I’ll take you home, and we can discuss this more there.”
She grabbed his arms, stopping him. “Rhett. Today was traumatic. Horrible for the both of us, but I won’t let myself change because of what they did.” She cupped his face. “I want this. I want you. Show me that what you’re telling me, that I have all of you, is real. I don’t want to be sad. Make me feel better in the way that only you do.”
His warm smile was like a hot bath washing over her. “All right, Kinsley.” He stroked her tears away. “And this, does this feel real?”
“Definitely too sweet for Rhett West,” she whispered. “I’m still not convinced.”
A sexy smile crossed his face. “Hmm, is that so? Then how about this?” He closed the distance between them, and with his hands on her face, he sealed his mouth across hers in a kiss that seemed to never end. “Does that feel real?” he asked when he broke away.
She saw the glint in his eyes. “Too damn good…I’ve got to still be dreaming, better keep trying.”
“I better do better then.” He scooped her up in his arms. In seconds, he had them in his truck, sliding her against the bench seating in the back. Standing by the door, he grabbed her boots and yanked them off, careful of her hip and the bruise already there. In the next moment, her maternity jeggings were also off. His coat followed, and he quickly unzipped his jeans. With that sexy grin in place, he climbed in while she scooted to the other side. He shut the door behind him and locked it before hovering over her. “How about now? You’re half naked in the back seat with your teenage crush. Real enough?”
“No,” she managed, wildfire spreading through her veins. “You’re far too hot. I must be dreaming.”
He chuckled then dropped his head to hers. He kissed her long and slow, savoring every part of her mouth. Nothing lay between them; she felt that now. The barriers separating them had blown apart. Something had changed when she was missing. Something in Rhett. The very thing she’d hoped would happen…he let her in, past the guarded soldier to the young guy she remembered. And for the very first time, Rhett kissed her without restraint and with pure love. His hand slowly dipped between her legs and he groaned when he found her wet and ready for him.
His head lifted to watch her as the tip of his cock found her slick heat. “How about now, Kinsley?” he asked huskily, his pupils dark with lust.
Before she could answer him, he entered her in one swift stroke. Her chin angled as hot pleasure swept over her. “Real,” she rasped. “God, yes, so real.” She slid her hands over his corded neck as he began pumping his hips, slow and long, just how she liked it.
“Look at me.”
She hadn’t realized she’d shut her eyes. When she opened them and gazed into his eyes, she instantly lost herself in their depths. Once dark and guarded, his eyes were now soft and welcoming, showing her something he’d never shown anyone. His vulnerable spots.
His hand slid down to her uninjured hip, pinning her, while he rocked harder into her, never looking away. He gave her something he hadn’t given anyone—intimacy—and she felt every wall she’d put up to protect herself suddenly fall.
She loved him. He loved her. End of story.
But their story would continue, and she relished that knowledge. Dreams came true with Rhett, and as his throaty moans brushed over her, with every thrust, the pleasure grew higher and higher until there was no controlling where he took her.
She came in a powerful hot rush of pleasure, and he followed her.
A long moment passed while she slowly returned to her body and her mind, feeling like, tonight, they’d won. When she opened her eyes, she found Rhett staring at her openly, adoringly. “I love you, Kinsley. Will you marry me?”
“I love you, too.” The words she’d longed to say left her mouth in a hurried whisper. She cupped his face, breathless. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”