Page 52 of Lawson & Jill

“God, Jill, you choke me up when you say things like that. You always seem to have the right words.” He pulled her off the bed and onto his lap.

She looked up at him with wide eyes. “I thought sometimes my smart mouth upset you.”

“Except for the Battle of the Van, you’re good.” His eyes twinkled. She traced his dimple.

“Okay, I’ll cool that for a while. It upsets Lesley, too, and she’s finally getting better.”

“Glad to hear it.”

He didn’t say anything else. Just stared at her.

“Uhm, Law, either we get naked, or we pack the car.”

Now the second dimple showed up. “See, you’re perfect, always willing to get naked.” He stroked back her hair. “How’d I get so lucky?”

“You asked me to go out for coffee and dessert.” She winked.

“Maybe.”

She let her head drift against his chest. “Have I ever told you what I really think?” Jill asked tentatively. She knew she hadn’t, but she now felt secure enough with Law to tell him her fanciful thoughts.

“What, Baby?”

“I think that maybe Lorraine and Xavier wanted us to be happy and arranged for us to meet that night.”

He tipped her chin back and she looked into his deep blue eyes. “I like that idea. I like it a lot.”

She sighed, knowing that somewhere her cousin was happy for her.

Slowly, Lawson lowered her onto the bed. “Oh, the naked option. Lucky me.”

“Jillian Lee, you little hussy, we just got dressed. Naked is not an option. As a matter of fact, you’re not dressed enough for our trip.”

“Huh?”

“Jill. The best thing that has ever happened in my life has been meeting you. Laughing with you. Loving you.”

His voice had that smokey quality that went straight to her heart.

“I love you, too.” She wound her arms around his neck. She needed to say more, but his gaze was too intent. She lost her breath.

“Every damned day is better with you in it. Every moment is brighter and I’m happier. Baby, I couldn’t survive if I wasn’t able to spend the rest of my life with you. I swear to you, I will do everything in my power to make you happy and keep you safe.”

He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a blue box, and flicked it open. “Will you do the honor of marrying me?”

Oh my God, he looks unsure.

“Yes!” Jill kissed his neck.

“Yes!” She kissed his chin.

“Yes!” She kissed his lips.

Their kiss was sublime.

“You’re crying. Stop crying, Baby.”

“I can’t, Law. These are happy tears. You’ve given me everything I’ve ever wished for.”

He brushed away her tears. “You’re sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. I’ve finally come home.”