Page 87 of Under Control

“That’s not a good sign,” he grumbled.

“It is— It is!” She beamed, tears springing from her eyes. “It’s just that onlyyoucould propose marriage in a way that is so nonchalant yet so touching at the same time.”

She took a step forward, reaching up to his cheek as he stood still. He popped open the box, showing her what he’d chosen. It was a stunning, thin gold band, delicate and feminine, with a gorgeous green emerald on it.

“It’s so beautiful.” She breathed in sharply, gently touching the gemstone.

“I figured you want me to find something with ethical origins,” he explained. “I hope it fits. Sometimes fingers can seem smaller when compared to the girth of my…”

“Carrick!” She pushed him gently before he could finish, cracking up as he teased her. “Please. I don’t want to have to tell our children how yousizedmy ring.”

“Our children?” he said, a little twinkle in his eye.

“Well, I want at least two…to go along with the white picket fence you are going to build for me.” She stood up on her toes, planting a kiss on his lips.

“I’ll have to get started on the fence tomorrow,” he said as he slipped the ring onto her finger, taking her lips at the same time. “Today, we can start on the kids.”

And as he kissed her slowly, tasting the tip of her tongue, she moaned then said, “I didn’t say yes yet.”

“I expect some return on my investment, you know.”

Danica sighed, letting the tall, protective man deepen their kiss, enjoying her mouth more and more. As she kissed him back, she knew she’d found herself home—and home was with him. Pulling back just so her nose was touching his, she looked up at him with a sultry gaze, locking and connecting.

“I love you so much,” she whispered. “And, yes, I would love to be your wife.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Danica

“You look stunning,” Addie gasped as she helped Danica zip up the back of her mossy green cocktail dress.

Looking into the bathroom mirror, Danica beamed at her best friend, who was flipping her long blonde hair behind her back. Danica was overjoyed that her former roommate could be there on the day of her wedding.

Danica checked her watch, her eyes widening. “Wow, time has really flown by today.”

Addie reached to the counter, picking up and sipping her mimosa. “Bubbly can do that to a girl. Let’s head downstairs.”

Taking Addie’s hand, Danica led them down the beautiful wooden staircase of Carrick’s Sunset Beach home, which now was her home as well. As they crested the second floor, she looked out of the patio door and saw Carrick off on the beach in the distance, preparing for the evening beach wedding they had planning. It was simple and small—with just a few friends.

“He didn’t want to wait too long.” Addie chuckled, finishing off her drink.

Danica shook her head, grinning. “He said he wanted to get started on kids right away, but I know the real reason he wanted this shotgun wedding. He didn’t want to give me a chance to plan a massive, fussy event.”

Her heart warmed with the thought, watching Carrick, in his well-fitted collared shirt and slacks, organize chairs on the lower patio with Delta. As Danica turned around to find her way downstairs, the doorbell rang. Addie followed her down, grabbing her camera along the way.

As Danica opened the door, she was surprised to see Kendra, the sergeant with LAPD who was assigned to her case.

“Oh, hi, Kendra.” Danica smiled, opening the door a little farther. “How can I help you?”

“Good evening.” The serious, athletic blonde stepped into the entryway, looking around suspiciously. “Is he here?”

“Who?”

As Kendra searched for words, Danica heard the patio door open in the back.

“Sergeant.” Carrick’s voice boomed from the hall as male footsteps echoed through the level.

Danica spun on her heels, watching Delta and Carrick enter the space. Kendra stiffened beside her as though her veins had flashed to ice.

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