The Enforcer - Kelli Callahan Page 0,58

says. “All that matters is that you’re safe now. You have nothing to worry about. And I’m never going to leave you again.”

“What?” I gasp tears streaming down my face looking after him, as he presses his lips against mine.

“I promise you.”

“Are you saying it’s really over, and I can go home?”

“Yes,” he nods, “you can go home.”

“I don’t have a home to go to,” I whisper, thinking of incinerated building and my child homeless.

“Then we’ll build one,” he says.

“You’ll build a home with me?” I ask as he skims his fingers up and down my cheek.

“Yes, I will. I want to build a life with you. I want to spend every day with you and every night with you. I want to wake up in the morning and see your brown eyes, smiling into mine,” he whispers. “I want to start a family with you. I want you to marry me.”

“What?” I gasp, staring at him.

“Yes. Marry me. Spend the rest of your life with me. Make me the happiest man in the world,” he says, and I look around.

“Jake, are you really proposing to me in a hotel room?”

He looks up as well; then, grabbing me around the waist he tosses me over his shoulder and runs down the stairs.

“Jake, what are you doing?” I gasp, my voice shaking with each step as his long strides eat the ground before him.

“Doing this right,” he says. Opening the door of the hotel, the sunlight blasts us, and he tosses me in the passenger side of the car.

“Where are we going?“ I laugh, feeling delightfully young and foolish.

“You’ll see,” he says, shoving the keys into the ignition. He throws the car in reverse and speeds down the busy road.

“Jake, be careful, we’re gonna get in a car accident,” I shriek closing my eyes and buckling myself quickly.

“No, we’re not. We’re fine.”

“Then you’re going to get a ticket,” I argue.

“No, I’m not going to get a ticket.” I can hear the smile in his voice.

“How do you know?” I ask, peeking through my fingers as he weaves in and out of traffic.

“Because I have an understanding with the chief of police.”

“Is that so?” I laugh despite my fear.

“Yep. He owes me one; so, he can’t arrest me, or give me any tickets for at least a year.”

“Is that really an agreement you came to?” I ask, finding it hard to believe.

“Well, more or less, but if he decides to be an asshole about it, I’ll remind him. Don’t worry.” He throws me a smirk as he pulls quickly off the road.

I uncover my face, and brace my hands against the dashboard, trying to stay upright.

“Jake, you’re driving like a maniac,” I say, looking out at the lake sign.

“Come on, let’s go, it’ll be worth it,” he says racing around the car to open my door. He grabs my hand and pulls into his arms, throwing me over his shoulder again.

“Jake, is this completely necessary?” I ask, amused.

“Oh, believe me, it’s more than necessary,” he says. “You’re gonna love it so much. I only wish that I thought of it sooner.”

“Okay?” I say uncertain as he jogs into the woods, and I see nature bounce up and down around me. “You know I can walk.”

“Yeah, I know you can,” he calls. “But this is more fun, don’t you think?”

“I guess so.” I try not to be nauseous at the rapid up and down motion continues.

“Alright here we are,” he says, dropping me on the ground so suddenly I fall on my butt.

“Jake,” I snap.

“Oh sorry,” he says with a chuckle, reaching down for me, “Okay, here we go.” He helps me dust off. “Diana, you are one of the most fascinating women, I’ve ever known. Do you know why that is?”

“Because I don’t hang out in biker bars?” I ask, and he stares at me.

“Haha funny. But you know what? That’s an excellent example of you. You’re clever, you’re quick with a comeback and always surprise me. On the outside, you look so elegant, like you belong in some kind of country club or on the arm of some English diplomat.”

I smile enjoying the compliments.

“You’re absolutely breathtaking. You’re poise. You’re…” He starts gesturing around failing for words, touching my heart even further. “You are the most sensational woman I have ever known.”

“Jake,” I whisper, feeling tears come to my eye for a whole new reason this time.

“I really don’t know what I would do if I never met you. You make me