The engine on the ski boat gurgled to life again as her brother backed the craft, then roared away into the night.
Leaving her alone on the deck with Jordan .
Jordan tipped her face up to his. “Is this a yes or a no?”
The yes already sang inside her, begging to be set free, but goodness, she deserved to revel in this moment. “Could you repeat what you said out there?”
She expected him to grin that arrogant smile of self-assurance. She’d all but told him he’d won, after all.
Instead, his face stayed sober. Intense. “I love you, Brooke. Not because you’re carrying my child, although Lord knows that stirs something inside me I never could have imagined. I love you because you’re you. And when I’m around you, I’m a better me. Together, I believe we can build one helluva lifetime.”
He’d made his case well.
Joy rushed through her as strong as any tide tugging the yacht. “I guess we’re a very lucky couple, because I happen to love you, too.”
She rested her hands on his chest. A gust of breath rocked through him at just her touch. She understood the feeling well. Brooke arched up to meet his kiss, his mouth warm and wonderful and blessedly familiar against hers. A yearning, equally as familiar and growing stronger every day, began to build inside her. A longing they would be able to fulfill, thanks to her doctor’s okay.
She looped her arms around his neck to deepen their kiss—
A tiny foot booted inside her. Hard. Hard enough so that Jordan jerked back in surprise.
He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. “Wow, I guess I should be used to that now, but it’s still so damn amazing.”
She grasped his hand to flatten along their child. “I totally agree.”
They stood together for—well, she lost track of the time until he lifted her hand, the ring magically appearing in his other hand.
“Brooke, will you marry me?”
He’d asked. Not demanded. She hadn’t expected two signs in one night. But then she’d never expected to fall so utterly in love with Jordan Jefferies.
She extended her fingers. “Yes, I will marry you, and love you and share my life with you. Together.”
His eyes closed briefly and she understood the feeling. She knew him now as well as he knew her.
His eyes blinked back open and he slid the ring onto her finger, sealing its placement with a kiss to her hand. Then he let out a shout that sent her laughing just as he scooped her into his arms again. He took her place in the lounger, cradling her in his lap.
She’d expected he would take her below deck, but at the moment he seemed to be more interested in holding her, kissing her, stroking her and drawing out the moment in a way she would cherish all her life.
Especially since she knew they would eventually end up below deck.
Finally, he pulled back, his thumb fiddling with the ring on her finger. “If you prefer something of your own choosing for an engagement, we can pick it out together. I won’t be offended if you wear this on your right hand.”
She shook her head, lifting her hand so the moonlight could catch the facets of the cut. “It’s perfect.”
“You’re sure? You really don’t want to go jewelry shopping?”
“You silly man.” She clasped his face in both hands, his five o’clock shadow rasping tantalizingly along her skin. “We both have enough money to buy anything we want.
This ring is about things so much more important than money. Sentiment.
Family. Love.”
He stroked his knuckles down her cheek, his eyes shining with a hint of awe and a lot of love. “You really do trust me, then.”
“This ring and the fact that you knew to choose it for me tells me everything I need to know.”
His killer, gorgeous smile returned. “And to think I almost screwed up by spending a mint.”
“You can still do that if you really want.”
His laugh rumbled against her chest and she enjoyed the chance to laugh along with him with ease, secure in their love.
“How did you manage to get this ring and still find me so quickly? I haven’t been gone long so you must have set out in the ski boat right away.”
He stayed silent and the answer slowly dawned on her. “You’ve been carrying this set around? For how long?”
“Since the day I left your office, right after you turned me down the first time I asked.”
And to think the sentiment, his understanding of family, and yes, even the seeds of love had been there right from the start if only she’d been able to see through her own fears. “I guess I’m the one who’s been silly.”
“Not at all. You’re a wise one, Brooke Garrison. It’s good we’re getting this right.”
“It’s going to stick. This marriage idea. The way we love each other.”
“Damn straight. And it’s only going to get better.” He eased up from the lounger, keeping her in his arms as he turned toward the stairway leading below deck.
“Merry Christmas, beautiful.”
She nipped his bristly jaw with a kiss. “Merry Christmas, to both of us.”
Epilogue
He’d seen her many times. He’d always wanted her.
Tonight, once her family finished their meal, he would have her.
Jordan covered Brooke’s cool, slim fingers tucked in the corner of his arm as they sat together at the reception dinner after their wedding. Eager to make things official, they’d scheduled the nuptials for the first weekend after Emilio and Brittany’s return from their European honeymoon.
The January ceremony had been a small family affair at a chapel on the beach in the Bahamas. They’d had enough with media frenzies and gratefully accepted Cassie’s generous offer to host the private reception. A lavish event, the house full of candles, flowers, food—and family.
He’d never seen Brooke look more beautiful than at their ceremony, with the Bahamas sunset streaming across her creamy skin and her golden yellow dress. The glow had glinted highlights on her dark hair, swept back in a twist—with a lone strand slithering free, of course.
He stared around the table of smiling faces and couldn’t help but contrast this happy gathering with the tense confrontation the first time he’d eaten with her relatives last month.
Tonight, her two sisters wore their green bridesmaid gowns, his groomsmen in tuxedos. He’d chosen his brother and his new business partner, Parker, surprising himself with the decision as well as the oldest Garrison offspring.