Under Pressure (Body Armor #1)(105)

When he returned, he found Cat in the bed propped against the headboard with the covers pulled up to her chin to ward off the chill.

She said, “Gimme,” and gratefully took the coffee he handed her. “Mmm. Delicious.” After two fortifying sips, she cradled the warm cup in her hands and eyed the other things on the tray. “So...what’s all that?”

Leese smiled. “A proposition.” He got into bed beside her, letting her wonder while he drank a little coffee too.

Finally she set her cup aside on the nightstand and reached for the sketch of a room. She studied it a minute, then said, “This looks like your guest room, but a little different too.”

Also setting his cup aside, Leese scooted over to sit closer to her. “It’s the guest room, but I had a designer reconfigure things so it could be a studio.”

Surprise widened her eyes. “A studio?”

“More specifically, your studio. I wanted it to be similar to the room you had set up at your house.”

“Why?”

“Your art is important to you, so it’s important to me.” Before she could question him further, he showed her a pamphlet. “And this is from the local shelter.”

She blinked, clearly confused.

Leese opened it to photos of dogs. “What do you think?”

“I don’t understand.”

“We both wanted a dog, right? I figured we’d get one from the shelter.” He teasingly kissed her. “You’re not one of those snobs who need a pet with a pedigree, are you?”

Her eyes got a little glassy and she whispered, “No.”

“Good. Me either. And my yard is already fenced. So when the shelter opens up today, we’ll go get us one. Or hell, maybe two? Whatever you think is best.”

She bit her lip, then whispered softly, “Two.”

“Perfect. Two it is. Now open your gift.”

“My gift?”

Leese handed her the small box, moved the tray to the floor, then lowered the sheet below her breasts. “Open it.” He liked the way the opal rested just above her cleavage.

Breathing deeper, she whispered, “You can’t keep buying me gifts when I can’t reciprocate.”

He gave her a hot smile. “You reciprocated enough for twenty gifts, trust me.”

“You’re saying you liked the dance?”

“The dance, the way you kissed me and the sex afterward. But that’s nothing new, Cat. You know I love having sex with you.”

She swallowed, nodded. “I love it too.”

Still she held the small box without opening it. Leese figured she knew what it’d be, so maybe she just needed some time. He’d give her a few minutes more.

Until then...he cupped her breast. “I also love watching you paint. And seeing you laugh. The way you argue and how you sip your coffee.”

That made her laugh.

Leese bent and kissed the warm skin just beneath her left breast. “I love your heart,” he whispered. “How you trust it and your instincts, how loyal and brave you are.”

Cat threaded her fingers into his hair. “I love those same things about you. And your body.” She tugged until he lifted his face so she could look into his eyes. “Not just how good you look, though you’re seriously hot. But you’re also strong and so capable.”

Sweeping a hand down her side to her hip, and pushing the blanket away in the process, Leese said, “You’re strong in your own way, honey, and your body is about the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. I definitely love it.”

“You know, Leese, that’s an awful lot of love words.”

She sounded worried by that, but Leese didn’t relent. “Know what else I love? The honest way you say what you think and feel. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that’s wrong.”

She took in a shaky breath and nodded. “Okay.”

Lastly he kissed her forehead. “I especially love the way you think, how you deal with all the twists and turns of life.”

After a fortifying breath, she whispered, “I love everything about you.” Her gaze held his. “I already told you that.”

“Just once,” he reminded her. “And I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.”

With no hesitation, she said, “I love you, Leese.”

God, it felt good. Because she hadn’t yet unwrapped it, Leese took the small box from her. The ribbon pulled away with ease and he lifted the velvety lid. “I love you too, Catalina. Will you marry me, live here with me, adopt a pet or two, eventually have some kids and let me love you forever?”

She stared at the ring, her breath coming faster and faster—and then with an elated scream she launched herself at him, taking him to his back and kissing his face all over.

Leese hooked her legs and flipped her right back over so he could settle between her legs. “Can I take that as a yes?”

“Yes!” Tears clung to her lashes. “I know it’s crazy and insane, but I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone or anything.”

He smiled, and his heart felt full. “Same here. And yeah, it’s a little crazy, but in a good way.” He took the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger. “Do you like it?”

She looked at the ring as if she hadn’t really seen it before. It wasn’t an extravagant diamond, but a moderately sized cushion-cut diamond with opals on either side that matched her necklace.