Page 118 of Viper

Desire scorched his flesh. He couldn’t wait to take her back to the room . . . if the next few minutes went well.

He let his gaze roam over her perfect figure: the slim wall of her abdomen and the dip of her navel; the sleek and muscular legs carrying her effortlessly toward him.

Goddamn.

He dropped back on his elbows to watch her and slid the ring box beneath his back on the towel.

“Hey sexy,” he said, as she stopped in front of him.

She grinned from ear to ear. “Did you see how long I held my breath? I didn’t think I’d last that long after being so rusty.”

She sat on her towel next to him and crossed her legs. Water dripped from her long locks onto her thighs. She looked so tanned and gorgeous, he wanted to take her right here.

“I didn’t time you, but you were under for a while.”

She unscrewed her water bottle and took a long swig. “I can’t wait to scuba dive before we leave. I love freediving, but I’m ready to push myself a little further.”

He caught her fingers. “I’m proud of you. It can’t be easy getting back in the water after all that happened.”

Her smile slipped, and he almost wished he hadn’t brought it up. She held his fingers, her gaze drifting toward the sea.

“I’ve been thinking a lot today. As horrible as it was being hunted and kidnapped by Craig, it made me see things differently. If all of that hadn’t happened, we probably wouldn’t be here right now. Together.” She squinted in the sunlight, the action creating a cute little ripple in her brow.

He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. “Maybe not,” he conceded. “But even if you’d shot me down, I would’ve tried again.”

She leaned back, matching his pose. “Oh yeah? I’m almost sorry I’ll miss that.”

He chuckled and tickled her side, eliciting a giggle.

He tried to keep his gaze on her face and not on the perfect pillows of her breasts spilling out from the red bathing suit. “I’m serious. Now, I wouldn’t stalk you, but I’m not above asking twice to get what I want—if I sense there’s a yes hidden.”

One eyebrow rose in confusion. “Huh?”

He sat up, stealthily sliding the ring box to his side. “Here’s an example. If I asked you to marry me and you said no, I’d ask again at a later date. Because I know you love me and one day you might say yes.”

She blinked twice then slowly rolled to a sitting position, her eyes wide and her full lips stealing the words he’d rehearsed a hundred times.

“What do you mean?”

A slow smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He pulled out the box and flipped the lid to reveal the platinum-set emerald-cut two-carat diamond he’d purchased in town yesterday while she’d taken a diving lesson.

“You took my breath away five years ago, Paige, and I’m not sure I ever got it back,” he said with a chuckle. “Especially since watching you dive sends me into cardiac arrest.”

She let out a laugh. Tears dotted the corners of her eyes.

“Paige, will you be my wife? Because I’ve done a lot of shit in my life, but the only thing worth doing is loving you.”

A slight sob caught in her throat. “Yes!” she cried, launching her arms around his neck and raining kisses on his jaw. “A thousand times yes!”

His heart pumped wildly with exhilaration. He breathed in her warm, salty scent. She smelled like the ocean, nature, and everything he’d ever loved.

He eased her hand from his neck, and carefully pulled out the ring, and slipped it over her dainty finger. The diamond sparkled in the sunshine, matching the glimmer in her eyes.

She pulled away and touched his bottom lip with her thumb. “You make me so happy, Troy. Thank you for being the strongest, bravest man I know. If it weren’t for you going after what you want⁠—”

“And ignoring your brother?”

“Exactly. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t be this happy.”

He brought his lips down to hers. Warmth spread through him like wildfire. Her hands roamed over his abdominal muscles, and he almost wished he’d proposed in the hotel room so he could properly seal the deal.

She broke away. “Hang on. If we don’t slow down, we’re going to get charged with fornicating on the beach.”

She tugged him down on the towels and rested her head on his shoulder.

“I can’t wait to tell the guys⁠—”

“Oh, Molly and Laine are going to freak!”

“No, I mean I’ve got to tell them that I’m the strongest and bravest man you know. Pretty sure they didn’t get the memo.”

Paige’s laugh was like music to his ears. He pulled her against his side and kissed her hair.

In a few days, he’d have to leave. But this moment would live forever in his heart.

And so would his love for Paige.