After a wild dig through her purse, she came up with a triumphant grin on her face. “Put this on me?”
Gia handed him her ring, then kept something back in her other fist.
Jason wondered what little plot she cooked up now, but he smiled. “My pleasure, wife.”
In the solemn silence, he slid the ring onto her finger. This time, he knew it would stay there. Joy lit up every nerve and jetted through his veins. He couldn’t imagine being any happier than he was right now.
“There,” she breathed, looking down at the symbol of their marriage all glittering in the falling light. “It’s beautiful…but not perfect.”
“It’s not?”
Gia grabbed his left hand in hers, set it against her cheek, kissed his palm. Then she looked into his eyes and, with shaking fingers, she settled a perfect platinum band around his finger. “I bought it this morning when I figure out what I wanted. In our rush to Vegas, we never picked out a ring for you, and I wanted you to have something from me so you’d always remember that you’re my husband.”
Fuck if he didn’t feel his throat close up as he choked on the moment. “It’s incredible. I’ll cherish it because you gave it to me.”
“I love you, Mr. Denning.”
“I love you, Mrs. Denning. Hell, I enjoy saying that.” He laughed, filling with light and joy and more happy tomorrows. “I’ll probably say it a lot.”
“Good.” She grinned, then gazed out the windshield. “I think all the moms and kids are gone.”
He glanced around the empty parking lot. “I think you’re right.”
Gia opened the door, stepped out, and bent to toss him a come-hither look. “You know, I’ve been a very bad girl, Master.”
Jason wondered what she was up to but figured he’d like it. “You have. I still owe you one hell of a spanking for deserting me for so long.”
“You do,” she agreed. “You’ll always keep me safe, right?”
“Always, to my last breath.”
Her smile filled with mischief. “Then spank me…and whatever else you have in mind. That is, if you can catch me.”
Her words clicked through his brain and had registered with his libido by the time she slammed the car door and started jogging into the park. He’d finally have her here, where their relationship had almost ended once—and now she’d trusted him enough to surrender. She’d love him more than enough to make it sweet.
“It’s on, baby,” he muttered as he jumped out of the Porsche and clicked the fob to lock it as he ran after her. “When I catch you, I’m going to spank your ass red and take you right then, right there.”
As she reached a towering tree, she curled her arm around the trunk, then peeked back at him with a grin that lit up her whole face. “I can’t wait…”