Sharp Shootin' Cowboy (Hot Cowboy Nights, #3)(78)

“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” she whispered.

“Yes,” he replied, his eyes never leaving hers. “Now I’ve got something to say to you.” He clasped her chin, tipping her head up. “Since you’ve come all the way out here, I have to assume you’re finally ready to hear it. If I’m wrong about that, and you’re not, I’m asking you to speak up now, before I make a giant ass of myself.”

“You’re not wrong,” she whispered.

“Good.” He gave a short, dry laugh. “I’d hate to think I wasted all this scenery.”

He slid his hands down to her shoulders. “I’ve been waiting a long time for the right woman, Haley, one I can both love and respect. I’ve been waiting because I don’t compromise, because I’ve never settled for second best. I’ve been waiting for you.”

He paused, giving her time to absorb his words.

“We were meant to be together. I’ve been patient, hoping you’d eventually see that too, but every time I thought we might be getting close…”

“I panicked,” she said. “I panicked because this didn’t feel like I expected it to. Like I thought it was supposed to. I thought when it happened it would be warm and wonderful, but it wasn’t like that with us…well, not completely. I felt vulnerable, scared, insecure—”

“Welcome to my world.” He gave another dry laugh. “I spent eight years in a war zone and never felt any of those things until Haley Cooper came along—all five-foot-nothing of you. Even now, you have the power to devastate me. Do you know that?”

“Then maybe it’s time I laid those fears to rest.” She brought her hands up to his face. “I love you, Reid. I know that now.” Her green gaze never wavered. “I think I’ve been in love with you for quite a while, but I wouldn’t acknowledge it because it didn’t fit. I thought love had a certain formula. I thought it had to be built on friendship and shared ideals. I thought all we had together was shared lust… I was wrong.”

He shut his eyes on a groan of relief. She’d finally given him what he desired most.

Haley had surprised the hell out of him by showing up like she had. But then again, she’d never done anything in half-measures. Her passion was one of the things he loved most about her, but he needed not just her body, but her heart. He might be able to take the first, but she had to give him the rest. He never would have opened his mouth if he hadn’t thought she reciprocated at least some of his feelings, but he’d still harbored some doubts. Until now.

“If that’s really how you feel,” he said, “I think it’s time to lay it all on the line.”

Her forehead wrinkled. “I thought we just did that.”

The uncertainty clouding her eyes made his pulse drum in his ears, but he’d already crossed the point of no return. There was no holding back now. He took a fortifying breath. “That was only half of it. There’s more. I want you, Haley… I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

*

She couldn’t believe the words that just spilled from his mouth. But it still seemed impossible. “This is all happening so fast.”

“Hardly.” His mouth curved sardonically. “It’s been almost seven years since you slapped that twenty on the pool table. Seven years, sweetheart. It’s a snail’s pace. I’m offering you everything I have. Everything I am.” He caressed her face. “Marry me, Haley. Let’s prove to the whole world that two strong people with widely differing views can make it work.”

“Do you honestly think we can?” she asked.

“Depends on how much we want it,” he repeated his earlier reassurance.

“I do, Reid. More than anything, but—”

He silenced her with a finger to her lips. “We’re smart people. We can figure it all out.” The same finger gently traced her mouth. “Marry me, Haley. I swear I’ll love, honor, and cherish you, if you’ll let me.”

She could hardly breathe for the pounding in her chest. He’d just offered her everything she’d ever wanted, voiced everything she’d never thought to hear in her wildest dreams.

She swallowed hard, taking the biggest leap of faith ever. “Yes, Reid. I’ll marry you.”

The answer was barely out of her mouth before his lips claimed hers in a long, lush kiss, the kind that sent ripples of desire all the way to her toes. His hot mouth moved slowly up her neck to hover at her ear. His hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs teasing her nipples. His breath was hot and humid on her skin. “When is the boat coming back for you?”

“In four days,” she replied. “I told him to send out a posse if I’m not back by then.”

“Then that only gives us ninety-six hours.” He grinned, big and sexy. “We’d better not waste any of it.”

Between fevered kisses, they kicked off boots and peeled off clothing. Moments later, a squeal ripped from her throat as Reid pulled her into the crystal clear pool. The steamy water engulfed them, but nothing compared to the heat of his hands and mouth.

He settled on a natural ledge, pulling her onto his lap. She wound her arms around him and shut her eyes, suffusing her senses in the feel of his hard, muscular thighs supporting her body and his hungry mouth feasting on her breasts.