She pressed a hand to her mouth, but smiled at him through the tears. “Am I allowed to say yes now?”
He choked on a laugh. “Yes. You’re allowed.”
“Then, yes.” She kissed him, quick and soft. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He laughed, his heart taking flight. “Thank God.”
“Here. Put it on.” She held her hand out. “It’s bad luck if I do it myself.”
“Is it now?” He held her finger and started sliding it over the knuckle. “Don’t tell me the investigative journalist is superstitious.”
“When it comes to my happiness with you?” She nodded, her eyes on his. “But with everything else, it’s pure shit.”
He laughed, sliding the ring the rest of the way down. “Seriously, though. I got off track here. I promise to spend the rest of my life making you happy. I promise to never let you down.”
“Well, then, you’re off to an excellent start.”
She launched herself at him. He hadn’t been prepared for the sudden movement, and he flipped backward onto his back. From her new position on top of him, she spread her legs on either side of his hips and threaded her hands through his hair.
He caught her behind her neck and tugged her down, kissing her passionately. They were in the middle of the beach, where anyone could see them, but he didn’t give a damn. All that matter was tasting her. Having her.
She deepened the kiss and trailed her fingers down his chest, skimming over his hip bones. When she slipped her hand under his waistband, he groaned into her mouth. “Christine…”
She pulled back from him, closing her hand around his cock. She jerked her hand, sending a shaft of pleasure shooting through his blood. “You know, I did a little bit of investigating myself before we came down here.”
“Oh yeah?” he asked breathlessly, arching into her hand despite their audience. “And what did you find in this said research?”
She tugged again, her hand moving against him again. “See those trees over there?”
Trees? He didn’t see anything but her lush, sweet lips waiting to be kissed. He arched his neck, scanning their surroundings. A few feet away were some palm trees. “Yeah…”
“Nothing is in them. No houses or anything.” She nibbled on his neck and jerked her hand again, making him groan. “We could do anything we wanted, and no one would know.”
“Well in that case…” He picked her up, set her on her feet and rolled to his own within seconds. “What are we waiting for?”
She clung to his hand as they raced to the trees, her laughter bubbling outward and blending in with his. This was life. This was living.
And he never would have gotten there without her.