Page 24 of Tempting Gabe

Denials never meant anything. He was her hero. She moved her hand and touched his stomach and changed course to rub his side with the scar. "Good because you asked me to be your girlfriend and I..."

He interrupted. "I asked you that because I was shy about sayingI love you."

Seriously? Without a thought she said, "I love you too."

"Really?" His eyes widened, but his hands curled around her thighs.

Too much talking. She could smell home and wanted to be fully with him. "Kiss me, Gabe, and make me forget the rest of the world."

"Done." He said and kissed her again.

This time they needed no more words. His kiss set off a heat storm. All she wanted was him. To give him access to do whatever he wanted, she simply laid on the couch.

He brushed her hair out of the way while he continued to kiss her. Then he went lower and kissed her neck. Her shirt felt awkward and tight and in the way.

With a shift, she reached down to lift her shirt.

He moved his weight, but the moment she freed her belly, he planted kisses there.

The ache inside her understood that joining with him was all the medicine she needed.

Needy and wanting were never part of her normal. Now she was Gabe's and this had to last forever. Love won.

Chapter 12

The next morning, she woke in his bed, curled into him. Last night had been taxing but delicious. Her body still had muscle memories of how good she felt and pleasure still raced throughout her body. She turned and gazed out the window. The blue ocean swelled with waves and her heart grew in rhythm.

Gabe shifted in the bed beside her. She flipped and stared at his Roman like nose and whispered, "Good morning."

"Morning." He reached out and tugged her closer.

Without a word, she snuggled into his chest. She licked her lips as she tasted him there. "So how do we begin a simple day together?"

His eyes widened. "I don't know about simple, but I was hoping you'd move in here, permanently."

"That fast?" Her pulse began to race though she knew she was safe.

"I want to ask you to marry me, but that might be too fast, so I was thinking of a way to slow down but still keep you close."

Marry? To stay with Gabe forever gave her a place where she belonged. Her eyelashes fluttered but she pulled away. "That's sweet, but I think..."

"Yeah?" He leaned forward and his head joined her pillow.

She opened her eyes and sat. "Fiancée is a nicer word than roommate."

He pushed up and sat next to her but a smile slowly appeared on his face. "It is. If I bought a ring, would you say yes?"

Everything was perfect in the sunlight. She turned toward him. "Why don't you try and ask without it? Don't be shy."

"I'm not shy and you're right." He then took her hands in his.

This was it. Her heart raced. "I am?"

"Will you marry me?" The words came out of his lips.

"Yes." An explosion of the same word reverberated through her. She was his. Forever. With Gabe, she had a home and a happily-ever-after.

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