Page 51 of Fade (Fighting Fate)

My tongue ran over my lips without thinking. Damn, he was hot. I’d already worked out he’d gotten bigger over the last few months during our lovemaking the night before, but seeing him so clearly on display while doing push-ups almost had me panting.

Glancing down the street, I saw I wasn’t the only one who was enjoying the view. A couple houses down, across the street, two teenage girls stood staring, mouths open, completely unaware I was looking at them.

Turning my attention back to Daniel, I took the opportunity to watch him work out. I thought about him going away again, this time for good, and something inside me felt like it was about to break.

Who was I kidding? There was no way I could just let him go to San Diego while I stayed here. Yes, I loved my new job, and yes, I loved having my independence, but what did any of it mean if I lost Daniel? I’d be alone.

Closing the door, I ran across the lawn and tackled him to the ground. Daniel laughed and rolled us so he was on top of me. “Hey, Princess,” he said, leaning down to press a quick kiss on my lips.

That was nowhere near enough for me. Gripping the back of his neck, I pulled him down to kiss me properly.

“I’m all sweaty, babe.”

I groaned. “I know . . . ” Then I kissed him again. Heatedly.

Daniel gave up fighting and let his weight settle on top of me before kissing me thoroughly. When he pulled away, I was panting like I’d just gone a round of cardio.

Daniel chuckled. “If we don’t stop, I’m going to take you right in front of all the neighbors, and I’m not sure if those young girls across the street will enjoy the show . . . ”

“Oh, they were enjoying the show all right . . .”

“So were you,” he said, leaning down to kiss me again.

I grinned. “Yes, I was.”

“Hmmm . . . ” he murmured. “I kinda like that.”

Running my hands over his shaved head, I inhaled with deep satisfaction. “I spoke to Alex today,” I said. “I told him we’re moving to San Diego.”

He pulled back to look at me, his expression serious. “You’re definitely coming?”

I hummed my assertion with a smile.

Daniel’s gaze intensified. He watched me from dark eyes, his gaze moving over every inch of my face. I could see the love shining out of him. I could feel his devotion.

“Marry me,” he said softly.

I stilled, utterly shocked. “What?”

“You’re it for me, Princess. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, you’re my soul mate. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Please,” he said, his voice imploring. “Marry me, Princess. Be mine. Forever.”

My mind instantly went to the last day I’d seen or heard from my parents. I still hadn’t told Daniel about that day. He and Ryan seemed to be getting along okay, and I didn’t want to be the one to destroy that, because I knew the minute Daniel found out what Ryan had done, things would change between them.

Ryan had apologized to me not long after it’d happened, saying he didn’t know exactly why he’d done it. He’d said something about desperation and not knowing how to give me up. It didn’t make any sense to me, but I just wanted to move on and focus on my new life.

Staring into Daniel’s eyes now, I could feel the difference. I could see the love and honesty he was offering. It wasn’t desperation, and it wasn’t fear. It was love.

“Daniel,” I managed to choke out. I didn’t know what to say. This was twice in the space of just as many days that he’d hit me with something huge.

“We don’t have to do it straightaway. We could wait as long as you want to. I just want to hear you say yes. I want to know that you’ll be mine forever.”

My head was whirling. Married? I mean, I knew, technically, we’d been dating for almost a year, but I didn’t even think we’d spent four months of that time in each other’s company. Yeah, we’d Skyped practically every single night over the last six months, but that was different. Wasn’t it?

Pushing at him so I could sit up, I straightened my top and hugged my legs to my chest. I needed some space so I could think straight.

Daniel shifted so he was sitting slightly away from me. Forcing myself to look at him, I licked my lips, stalling while I tried to think of my response.

I was surprised to see a slight grin on his face as he watched me. Narrowing my eyes, I cocked my head to the side. “Do you really want to get married?”

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