Page 24 of House Rules

“Sean…I can’t believe this.” I shake my head. “I’m surprised you knew right away it was me. I’ve changed so much.”

He laughs. “Yeah, you changed. Grown up. I have, too, but I’d know you anywhere. You’re still that sweet, fun-loving, sexy-as-hell girl I fell for ten years ago.”

He pushes a candy into my mouth and lets his thumb linger there for a moment. His eyes darken as his gaze drops to my lips. “What do you say?”

I’m about to say yes when reality hits. “You live in New York. I’m in Chicago. There’s no way…”

“I really hate that word. In fact, I don’t want you to ever use it with me again,” he says, his voice hardening.

My entire body quivers at the command in his tone. “What word?”

“No.”

“But—”

He presses his lips to mine to seal my protest, then says, “My head office is around the corner. I’ve already made the change. The only thing left is for you to pick out whatever house you want to live in.”

He wants to live with me? Is this just about sex, or more? Oh God, do I dare hope it’s more? My heart couldn’t take the alternative. “This is all coming at me rather fast.”

“Now, there’s a word I want you to use all the time.”

“What word.”

His grin turns wicked. “Coming.”

My legs wobble, and he pulls me against him. “Do you think you could take the afternoon off? I’d like to take my fiancée out to celebrate our engagement properly.”

“Your fake fiancée, you mean,” I remind him.

“No.” He pulls a box from his pocket and drops to one knee. “I love you, Kennedy. Will you be mine?”

I stand there, shell-shocked, looking at the man I love—the man who loves me—down on one knee, proposing for real. I sink to the floor next to him. “I’ve always been yours, Sean. Always,” I say, and press my lips to his.

He kisses me deeply then pulls back and says, “And I’ve always been yours, Kitten. Now, let’s get the fuck out of here so I can tie you up and make you purr.”