Colin stepped across the threshold wearing a handsome black suit with a crisp, white open-collared shirt, holding a bouquet of at least two dozen red roses down at his side.
“Right on time,” she said with a smile, stepping aside to let him in.
“You look gorgeous, Babe.” Colin leaned forward to kiss her, slipping his free arm around her waist. His hand splayed on her back as he pulled her toward him.
She reached up and put her hand on his cheek, then slid it to the back of his neck as he bent down. Their lips met, sending a tingling shiver feathering up her back at the pleasure of his kiss.
“Boy, you smell good,” she whispered, taking in a slow, deep breath before releasing him, her head lightly dizzy from his musky scent.
“These are for you.” He held out the lavish bouquet ensconced in a sheath of clear crinkling wrap.
“Oh, Colin,” she gushed. “They’re beautiful. Let me put them in some water.” She started off to the kitchen and he followed close behind. “Can you get the vase down for me?”
Emily watched as he extended his arm to an upper cabinet to retrieve it, enjoying how GQ and sexy he looked.
She filled the crystal vase with water and carefully arranged the long-stem blossoms in it, before inhaling the scent of the fragrant blooms. After setting the roses in the center of the table, she gently took Colin by the hand. “I want to show you something.”
“I don’t know if we have time, Babe. We have reservations.”
She pushed up on her tiptoes and kissed him softly, enjoying the feel of her body against his. “It’s important, Colin, and it’ll only take a minute.”
“All right, lead the way.”
Emily led him across the deck and onto the lush green grass. The bushes and trees were aglow with tiny white lights, as was the gazebo. He slowed to take it all in. She tugged on his hand to continue following her. When they came to a stop, they were standing in the middle of the lovely gazebo.
“Are you sure you want to be out here?” Colin lifted her hand and lightly kissed her fingers. “I know how you’ve avoided this place.”
“That’s true. I haven’t wanted to come out here since Evan died.”
“Why now?”
“I want you to know my life with Evan is finally in the past. I can’t say I’ll ever forget him, or what we shared—but I love you now, and I’m ready to move on with my life.”
He drew her into his arms, pressing his cheek firmly against hers. “Emily, I love you more than I thought I could ever love anyone. You’re in my thoughts constantly.”
“I feel the same way.”
“I want to be with you all the time—take long walks with you, snuggle with you, fight with you, make up with you, catch bad guys with you…as long as we both shall live.”
She leaned her head back and smiled as she looked up into his misty, adoring eyes. She could see the reflection of the twinkle lights shimmering in them and wondered what he’d meant.
As long as we both shall live? Could it be?
Maybe she’d been worrying for nothing.
In the next moment, he released his arms from around her body and slid down on one knee, in the center of the gazebo, taking hold of her left hand.
“Colin?” Her breath caught in her throat.
He pulled a small black-velvet box out of his trouser pocket. He flipped it open with his thumb, displaying a dazzling marquis-cut diamond solitaire set in a platinum band.
“I was going to do this at the restaurant later, but this suddenly seems like a more appropriate place.”
She gasped and her right hand flew up to her chest.
“Emily Bradford Parker, I love you with my whole heart. I never want to be apart from you again. Will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man in the world? Will you marry me?”
“Yes! Yes—oh, of course, you crazy wonderful man!”
Instantly, he stood to his feet and his arms were around her. His warm, moist lips on hers, and she responded to a wave of passionate kisses.
Emily felt free now—free to love him with her whole heart—and she could not get close enough to him. She laced her hands around his back and held herself against him. A warm tingling sensation started in her breast and radiated throughout her body.
For the longest time they stood together in the middle of the enchanting gazebo, clinging to each