Page 219 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

"It is now."

"Maddy."

"Oh, come on, Javier."

He exhales through his nose.

"You're impossible."

"And yet you built a restaurant with me."

"That was my first mistake."

"Your first?"

He comes toward me. My smile widens. Javier stops between my knees and lifts the spoon.

"Okay. Because I love you, I'm going to let you taste it one more time."

"That's very generous of you."

He brings the spoon toward my lips, close enough that I can smell onions, roasted garlic, mushrooms, thyme, and the red wine he insisted needed one more splash. Coq au vin. My favorite.

I lean forward. At the last second, he pulls the spoon away and kisses me instead.

I laugh against his mouth. His free hand settles at my waist while mine slides around his neck.

"You cheated," I whisper.

"I learned from the best."

He sets the spoon behind me and kisses me again, deeper this time, slower. I draw him closer with my knees. His arms settle around me, and for a few seconds there is no opening night, no dining room waiting beyond the double doors, no staff finishing last-minute preparations. Just Javier and me, in our kitchen.

When he lifts his head, I'm smiling. He holds my gaze for a moment, then brushes a strand of hair from my face and tucks it behind my ear. Something in his expression changes.

"Hey." I touch his cheek. "What is it?"

"There is something I've been wanting to ask you."

His voice is different now, quiet and serious. I study his face.

"You look worried."

"I'm not."

"Should I be?"

"I don't think so."

"That isn't very reassuring."

His eyes hold mine. Then he reaches into his back pocket.

My smile disappears. Not because anything is wrong. Because suddenly I can't breathe.

There's a small velvet box in his hand.

"Javier."