Page 88 of The Problem with Princes
As I walk out onto the terrace a movement catches my attention. I turn and suddenly the Mediterranean isn’t important anymore. There’s a much better view standing beside a potted palm and a trellis of bougainvillea.
“Ty.” His name floats out of my mouth. He’s here.
“Man, you’re a sight for sore eyes, Grace.”
All I want to do is rush into his arms. But it’s like I’m rooted in place. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I was thinking the exact same thing.” Without another word he takes a step and I meet him halfway, flinging my arms around him.
As if he can’t hold himself back any longer, he drops his head and takes my lips in his. Pulling out my bottom lip, he draws back from me slightly. He releases my lip and drops his head further, kissing along the curve of my neck.
My skin reacts with both chills and heat. His stubble tickles my neck, causing goosebumps upon goosebumps to roughen the surface of my skin.
I shiver in his arms and his kisses travel up to my hairline and onto my earlobe.
I can’t get enough of him. It’s been so long. Too long since I smelled him. Tasted him. His hands are around my waist, and he pulls me tighter to him. “Oh, Gee.” He breathes out against my neck. “How I’ve missed you.”
He finally pulls back, both of us more than a little breathless.
“How did the interview go?”
I splay my fingers through his hair, loving the feel of it. “I crushed it.”
He drops his forehead to mine and chuckles. “I knew you would. Did they say when they would decide?”
I lean my head back so I can see him squarely. “Are you just being polite, or do you really not know any of this?”
He gives me a shocked expression. “I know nothing, but what you tell me.”
I grin. “Prime Minister Gounaris’s secretary just called to offer me the job.”
“Yes.” He picks me up and twirls me around. “I’m not surprised. You were the best candidate.” Telling Ty my news is way better than telling Texie. I’m so glad he’s here.
“How did you know? I thought you weren’t a part of it.”
He shakes his head. “I wasn’t. But I can’t imagine anyone better suited for the job than you.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask him. “This is one of the houses I was sent the portfolio for.”
He looks around. “I know. It’s one of my favorites. When I saw it was one of your options, I thought you might prefer it.” He drops a kiss on the tip of my nose. “We can see the others, if you like, but I think this one just feels like you.
He puts his arms around my waist and pulls me tighter to him. But he does not lean down to kiss me again. He stares at me, as if he’s memorizing every freckle.
I put my hands on his chest and feel his heart hammering beneath my palm.
Ty leans in and gives me one more fierce kiss on the lips. “There is something I have wanted to ask you for months.”
I lean my head back, looking at his face—admiring that small dimple at the side of his eye. “Oh? I’m here. I thought all your dreams had come true.”
“All my dreams but one.” He reaches into his pocket, while keeping me pressed tightly against him, and withdraws a blue ring box. “Grace Martindale, will you marry me?”
I smile down at the platinum setting holding the large, princess-cut emerald with two baguette-cut diamonds on each side. I let out a gasp and glance up at him as he slides it onto my finger. “I thought you’d never ask!” I put my hands on his cheeks and pull his lips to mine.
He picks me up and twirls me around the terrace as the breeze carries our laughter out to sea.
Epilogue
BARAK
