“Then let me help you. We’re a team—a partnership.” His eyebrows lifted. “I can give you a reference.”
She smiled and tilted her head. “What exactly would you be giving me a reference for, Dr. Travers? What skills would you list on my reference?”
She was taunting him, and she knew it. And so did he.
His grip tightened around her waist as he pulled her closer. “Let me see. I could definitely give you a reference for your kissing. Full, delicious lips that always have a hint of strawberry.” He bent down and captured them with hers as she wound her arms up around his neck.
“What else?”
“Dressing up. Or dressing down.” His eyebrows lifted, and then he started to nuzzle in at her neck. “For work and for pleasure. Particularly the midnight striptease.” His lips were working their way around the bottom of her neck, sending a delicious array of sensations zinging over her skin. Desire curled in her belly, her breath hitching in her throat. “That deserves a paragraph all of its own.”
“Just a paragraph?”
“Well, I have to leave room for your other skills.”
He was pressing against her. His firm, warm length along the length of her, with no mistaking how he felt. The raw emotion in his eyes was mesmerizing, waves of longing surging through her.
She reached up to touch the slightest hint of stubble on his jawline and whispered, “What have I told you about stubble rash and delicate skin?”
He grinned. “I’m a doctor. Believe me, I can cure any kind of skin condition.”
And he didn’t hesitate. He swept her off her feet and carried her straight out the door.
Chapter Fifteen
“I got it!”
He heard the shriek before she was even through the revolving glass door of the swanky office block. He jumped to his feet and ran to meet her, sweeping her up in his arms. “You got it? You did? They told you right away?”
“They offered me the job on the spot. I start next week!”
He spun her around, lowering her feet to the ground and planting a kiss on her lips. The sparkle in her eyes didn’t show a hint of fatigue, even though they’d spent the last two days preparing for this interview.
“They must have spotted a star in the making as soon as you walked through the door.”
She rested her hands on his shoulders. “No,” she said, “they looked over all the work I’ve done and the experience I have and were particularly impressed with my recent volunteering to help Seacliffe continue to fund Helen’s House. Apparently someone gave me a reference that made it sound as if I were a guardian angel.”
“Maybe you are.” He picked her up again and spun her around. “Forty-eight hours. We’ve spent the last forty-eight hours practicing for your interview.” He glanced at the clock tower next to them. “I think we’ve got some lost time to make up for. And I know exactly how to do it.”
“How?”
He pulled her toward his truck parked at the side of the road. “There’s only one place we can do this. Get in.”
“Why? Where are we going?”
He reached over and squeezed her thigh. “I’m going to take you to a place that’s out of this world.”
Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Isn’t that where you take me every night?” she quipped.
He gave her a teasing smile. “Oh, this will be even better. I promise.”
…
“You’re joking, right?” The biggest smile in the world was on her face as they pulled up outside the convention center.
He lifted his hands from the steering wheel. “Where else could we be? Look around you. It’s like another world here. A world full of R2D2s and C3POs. Stormtroopers, with a liberal sprinkling of Chewbaccas, Darth Vaders, and Luke Skywalkers.” They were all walking around the parking lot next to them.
He handed her a silver-wrapped parcel with a big red bow. “This is for you.”
“What is it?” She lifted one of the edges of the paper and her face lit up. “You didn’t?” The paper and bow started to fly everywhere. “You did!” She let out a screech as she pulled the beautifully made costume, complete with silver necklace and belt from the packaging.
He couldn’t have arranged anything more perfect. “They’ve got their own Throne Room in here. Want to take a visit?”
She put her finger on her chin. “Let me think about it…do I get my own matching Han Solo?”
He pulled out another package from the side of his seat. “Oh, you bet you do. Let’s go.”
The convention center was buzzing. The washrooms were packed. And Colt paced. Twitching every time a Princess Leia exited the doors. Finally, when he couldn’t stand it any longer, she appeared, more gorgeous than he could ever have imagined. The replica costume that Leia wore in the last scene of Star Wars—to present medals to Han, Chewbacca and Luke—could have been made with her in mind.
“What took you so long?” His heart was clamoring in his chest, nerves making him jittery.
She patted her elaborate hairstyle. “It takes time to create something like this.” She gave him a twirl. “What do you think?”
“What do I think?” He took her by the hand. “Come with me.”
He strode through the crowds, giving one of the security guards a nod at the doors as he walked her through to the replica Throne Room and flung out his arms. “What better place to celebrate?” Then he settled his hands on her waist, pulling her tight against him. “I can’t think of anywhere more perfect to be right now.”
She gave a sigh and looked over her shoulder. “It is pretty perfect here.”
He bent forward and whispered in her ear. “I know what could make it even more perfect.”
She tilted her head and fixed him with her sparkling green eyes. “Oh, you do?” She ran her finger along the edge of his jaw. “And what might that be?”
He picked her up and spun her around. “I always thought that last scene in the original Star Wars movie lacked a little something. A little something extra to make it all the more special.”
The unevenness of her breath betrayed her calm exterior. Her words were whispered, barely heard. “What was it?”
“This.” He dropped down on one knee and held his hand out toward her. “Every man should find their own Princess Leia. Every man should find the woman they connect with. The woman they can conquer the world with.” He took her trembling hand, trying to hide his own trembles. His stomach was lurching. He’d planned this all so perfectly. He’d spent weeks searching for the perfect ring for her. A two-carat pink, heart-shaped diamond. He didn’t want anyone to doubt how much he loved this lady. He was just praying right now she would let him put it on her finger. “I’ve found mine. I love you, Selena Harris.” He pressed her hand close to his chest. “I can’t imagine living a single day without you. Will you marry me? Will you let me be your own personal Han Solo? Will you promise to come to every crazy convention with me? Because I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Your wish is my command.”
He pulled the box from his pocket and opened it slowly, watching as her eyes widened. Did that mean she liked it? His heart was thudding some erratic rhythm against his chest.
Her hand flew up to her mouth. “It’s beautiful, Colt.” The tears were forming in her eyes. “It’s perfect.”