Hot Zone (Elite Force #2)(71)
Author: Catherine Mann

News of Lisabeth’s pregnancy had caught her by surprise, but Amelia had done her best to ensure any postadoption paperwork proceeded smoothly. Aiden and Lisabeth had been tapping into every support line imaginable to help Joshua bond securely, and they had additional counseling help in place for any contingency after the baby was born.

Everything was being done by the book. Jocelyn Pearson-Stewart had shown them too well how playing fast and loose with the rules could wreck precious lives.

Authorities in the Bahamas and the States were still threading through the tangled mess by cutting deals with Courtney, Erin, and the military nurse, Lieutenant Gable, in exchange for information. So far, two young children had been rescued from a transaction Oliver had overseen. Amelia shuddered to think what could have happened if they’d been lost forever in the abyss of a child-prostitution ring.

She shivered and Hugh’s arms wrapped tighter around her.

“Do you want to go inside?” His deep voice vibrated against her back.

“Let’s stay here a while longer, if the real-estate agent isn’t in a hurry.”

“Actually, I convinced her to have coffee across the street. We’re free to hang out a while longer.” He ducked around in front of her, leaning against the rail. “I was hoping we could talk.”

His green eyes went serious, crinkles at the sides fanning out. Her stomach flipped as hard and fast as a fish flopping in the distance.

“Okay, is there some kind of problem?” She smoothed the collar of his camo—he’d come straight over from work.

“I was thinking, since your stuff is still in storage, you might consider moving it here rather than searching for another place.”

Surprise stilled her. She’d been so careful to give Hugh time and space in the their relationship that she hadn’t been fully prepared for this moment. She’d told herself she was fine living separately. Taking it slow. But—wow. The thought of being with him full time grabbed hold of her heart.

“You’re asking me to move in with you?”

“That’s part of why I wanted to make sure the place met with your approval before I bought it.”

Nerves—and excitement—kicked up her pulse. “And the other reason?”

Holding on to the rail, he dropped to one knee in front of her. Her stomach dropped right along with him. There was no mistaking his intent.

He pulled his hand from his pocket, holding a small black-velvet jeweler’s box. “Amelia, will you marry me?”

Such simple words, but the feeling behind them, the emotion in his eyes and in his voice, was so far from simple, it humbled her. This complex man who had every reason to fear risking love again was giving himself, his heart, his future to her.

She sank to her knees, clasping both of her hands over his. “Of course, I will—move in, marry you, spend the rest of my life loving you.”

Hauling her to his chest, he hugged her hard and close, whispering “Thank God” against her hair with so much relief she couldn’t help but be moved. Then he kissed her or she kissed him. They moved so fluidly together it didn’t matter. The way he turned her inside out with a touch, a stroke, the glide of his mouth along her lips… her skin tingled, the heat radiating inward and rivaling anything that sun could crank out.

He eased her to her feet again, ending the kiss with a final brush across her lips. “I do have a ring here.”

He creaked open the velvet box to reveal…

She clapped a hand over her mouth.

A marquise-cut diamond of orangey pink hue, in a platinum setting with white diamonds on either side, refracted rays from the setting sun. “It was my mom’s. It’s never been worn by anyone but her. She passed away a couple of years ago. I would like you to wear it. I want you to marry me, be the mother of my children…” He paused, a long swallow working down his neck, hinting at just how big a risk he was taking here, offering up his heart again. “And God willing, should we be so fortunate, I’d like you to grow very old with me.”

Too choked up to speak, she simply held out her left hand. And it didn’t so much as tremble. She was that sure of her love for Hugh, that sure of how well they fit together.

He slipped the ring in place and pulled her hand back to his heart. “I understand that this is all happening fast, and if you need a long engagement, I’m okay with that. But I can’t just date and pretend we’re testing the waters when I know that you’re the only woman I want to be with. I know that’s not romantically poetic—”

“Shhh…” She placed her fingers over his mouth, unable to resist staring at the ring on her finger. “I understand what you mean, I understand you. And your proposal is wonderfully romantic and perfect in every way.”

“Ooh-rah!” he whooped, scooping her into his arms. “I think it’s time to sign the paperwork on this place so we can start celebrating back at the hotel.”

“I’m hoping our celebration will be clothing optional?” She looped her arms around his neck.

“Damn straight.”

His green eyes glinted with a heated promise as Hugh carried her over the threshold into their first home and into their future together.