Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 141281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 706(@200wpm)___ 565(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 706(@200wpm)___ 565(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
“Brrr!” I push myself into his chest. “This better be good. It’s got to be like fifty degrees with this wind.”
“You’ve got all of me for warmth, princess. That enough?” His eyes are glowing as I nod. Like I’ll ever need anything more. “Anyway, didn’t have much choice. There’s something we’ve gotta get done by Christmas. Let’s walk.”
He leads us to the small winding staircase going down to the beach.
Even with my toes turning blue, I’m too curious to resist, so I follow behind him as fast as my boots will carry me.
I kinda love how every change in the seasons brings a few new outfits that make him want me more.
And I need to dress warm for the internship downtown coming up now that I’ve got my degree. The office is buzzing with reporters and media sharks who judge too much off first impressions.
Dressing to impress landed me a SEAL, so why not an awesome career, too?
By the time we’re leaving footprints in the sand, the wind isn’t as bad as I expected.
The Pacific looks as untamable as ever, the waters churning with the wind, slapping the shore with angry kisses.
Chris points at Dad’s place in the distance, aiming his finger at the small beach bar, now closed up for winter. It feels like forever ago when we met, right after I watched him striding out of the sea like some legendary creature.
My warrior prince.
My destiny.
It’s true and cliché and as campy as it sounds.
Guess how much I care?
“Over there. That’s where it started,” he says, hooking an arm around my waist and pulling me close. “You remember that night, babe? I still dream about it. I held on to it for life—literally, while those fucks were bashing me in the face.”
“I do. It’s all that kept me from breaking down every second you were missing. But I think about Vegas too, when we finally knew we weren’t crazy. Then I’d start crying because I wondered if it was all we’d ever have, a few good memories...”
I don’t mean to tell him about that and ruin the vibe, but it just bleeds out.
“I’m alive, Delia, and so are you.” He turns me around, holding me gently against his chest. And he reminds me how lively we both are when I feel his wall of hard, protective muscle under my face. “Believe it or not, I didn’t drag you here to fuck,” he whispers.
“For realsies?” I laugh because it actually surprises me.
I was sure he had something kinky in mind.
Maybe he’d throw me down, rip off my clothes, and warm us up the fun way.
Why do my nipples feel so hard just thinking about it? I swear it’s not the cold.
“That’s for later,” he promises, inhaling sharply “I just hope you still have the energy to keep up with me tonight once I show you this.”
I don’t get what’s happening when he pulls away.
What’s he doing?
A second later, the whole world condenses.
Everything swells brighter like a flame catching wind as he fishes around in his pocket, kisses me deeply, and slowly sinks to his knees.
“Cordelia,” he whispers, grabbing my hand with the same fierce confidence that always shines in those sea glass-green eyes.
Only, is there something else in that look today?
Is he nervous?
When I blink and look down at the little black box he’s holding, offering it like I really am his princess and that’s not just a cheesy nickname, I almost black out.
“Holy crap. Wait. Chris, are you...?” I bite my tongue and wince.
Real smooth.
But if there was ever a time to shut up and let him speak...
If this is what I think it is, I don’t even know how I’ll ever switch off tonight. Maybe for the next century.
A single flick of his thumb pops the box open.
I catch a glimpse of a gold ring inside studded with jewels.
Big rocks. Way bigger than a well-paid security specialist ought to be able to afford. It looks old, too,—gorgeously antique.
I want to pick it up for a closer look, but my arms are paralyzed.
My eyes are totally glued to him, my face hot, my lungs stalled and waiting for him to break the windy silence that falls over us like a spell.
“Marry me, Cordelia Burr.” It’s a command, not a request. I smile so hard my cheeks sting as he says, “You lit me up the first time I ever got my hands on you. In Vegas, you said you knew. So did I. I knew you’d bewitch me for life. You made me feel shit I never thought I could, much less describe. You showed I had it in me to fight for you, to fall for you, to give you the best of myself. Hell, you showed me what the best parts are.” He pauses, drawing in a shaking breath.