"Can I look now?"

Hick maneuvered Annabeth by holding on to her arms and gently pushing her forward. She had her hands out as she shuffled along.

"Not yet, beautiful. Almost."

He walked her over the sidewalk until they stopped before the cabin he had rented for them in the Colorado Mountains. Looking over her shoulder, he made sure the view was perfect then let out a held breath. He untied the scarf wrapped around her eyes and pulled it away. "Okay, look."

Annabeth's face lit up as she pressed her hands to her cheeks. He took a step to the side and watched the joy on her face as she discovered the special accommodations he had found for them. The cabin's sides were made of rough-hewn logs chinked with tan mortar with a wall of windows covering most of the front on the top story. A large porch wrapped around the front and disappeared around the back where a covered hot tub waited. The entire structure sat on a slight hill covered in leaves and pine needles. Her green eyes flicked over the cabin and zeroed in on the spectacular sea of yellows, red and oranges painting the mountains behind it. Her perfect lips circled in an 'O' of surprise. "Oh, Levi, it's beautiful!"

That was the reaction he was looking for. With a grin, he relaxed and tossed the scarf to rest on his shoulder. Taking her hand in his, he looked at the building through her eyes. The reality far exceeded the pictures sent to him by the booking agent.

"It's not bad. I was a little bummed when the original one I found wasn't available when we were ready. The agent suggested this one instead. It has a fireplace, hot tub, king size bed with down covers and vaulted ceilings. There's no sauna here, but I figured trading that for this view would be worth it. I hope you aren't too disappointed in having to wait two months past the time I promised you. On the bright side, we caught the September foliage perfectly."

She pulled her hand out of his and threw her arms around his neck. Looking him in the eyes, she smiled and shook her head gently. "I'm not disappointed at all. If you tell me the kitchen is full of food, so we don't have to leave this week, I'd call it perfect."

"I'll do you one better. I booked the concierge service to come here once a day. We'll have a nice meal daily." He nipped at her nose playfully. "We don't even have to get dressed if we don't want to. The chef will come, do his thing and leave without ever having to see us."

"I can't even begin to think how much this whole thing is costing you. It seems so extravagant."

He stared into her eyes, becoming lost in their liquid depths. Cupping her face tenderly, he whispered, "Nothing is too good for you, my Georgia. Every penny I spend on us is money well spent." He grinned at her mischievously. "Besides, how am I going to have my wicked way with you if I don't wine and dine you first?"

Her eyes sparkled with mirth as she took his teasing good-naturedly. "Those sound like pretty nefarious plans, Mr. Salter."

"Mmmhm. I have plans for you, Ms. Switcher. Wicked, sensual, naughty plans that will take the entire week to execute properly."

He saw the tiny hairs on her neck stand to attention at his words, and she shivered in his arms. Her eyes darkened with desire, and she licked her lips slowly causing a groan to erupt from him. She looked so damn delicious standing there in her jeans, sweater and those gawdawful ugly slouch boots she favored. Wisps of her crimson hair danced about her face as the chilled breeze caught them. Snagging one, he tucked it behind her ear then slid his hand to cup the nape of her neck. Staring deeply into her eyes, he traversed the slight distance between them and captured her lips in a tender kiss.

He tasted the sweet flavor of the strawberry balm she used as he nipped and sucked on her lips. A soft sigh brushed his mouth as she surrendered, pressing herself tightly against him. His hand slid up and under her sweater, splaying over her back in a possessive manner. She felt right in his arms, and he was never going to let her go. Slowly his hand slipped down, cupping her amazing rear in his palm and squeezing. She gasped and rubbed herself against him like a cat - all hot and feral.

The kiss deepened as the fire between them leaped from smoldering embers to raging inferno. He felt her hands slip into the hair at the base of his neck, clutching desperately as she took his onslaught and returned it with renewed fever. Their tongues tangled and fought, stabbing impatiently as hands curled and nails scratched. He released her mouth, turning his attention to her jawline and neck, pressing hot kisses followed by nips and soothing licks until her breathing became pants and her legs trembled.

His eyes zeroed in on the silver line marring the creamy expanse of her shoulder. He had yet to forgive himself for her injury, but he knew she held no animosity toward him. Right then and there, he made a solemn oath to himself and her to never, ever allow her to be put into a situation where she could be harmed again. Yeah, part of him knew that was impossible, but at least the alpha male protector inside felt marginally better. When he remembered how close he had come to losing her, he felt sick. That was one feeling he never wanted to experience again.

He kissed the mark then followed it and bit playfully on the area where neck and shoulder met causing her to gasp and turn to goo in his arms. He grinned. He loved every squeak, moan and sigh from her.

"Hick?" Her voice had taken on that heavy drowsy sound he equated with her need for him. He forced himself to release her shoulder.

"Yeah?"

Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright. He felt her trembling against him as he held her tightly in his arms. She swallowed and bit her kiss-swollen lips. "I... I want you," she breathed.

He knew the smirk on his face would piss off most people, but not her. He pressed her tightly against him again, letting her feel the way she affected him. Nipping her ear, he whispered, "Then let's do something about that."

He reached down, hooking his hand under her knees and lifted her easily into his arms. She tightened hers around his neck and squealed as he picked her up. Carrying her onto the porch, he stopped at the door. "The keys are in my pocket."

She reached in, finding them easily then gave him a squeeze that made his eyes cross. "Naughty girl," he growled at her. She giggled, unlocked the door and opened it for him. He marched them across the hardwood floor, slammed the door with one foot then threw her on the oversized sofa facing a huge stone fireplace. "Too far to the bedroom," he answered her unasked question. Easing down on top of her, he slid his hand under her sweater and around to the back where he unfastened her bra. "You're not going to need that for a few days," he murmured then proceeded to undress her slowly. When she was bare, he took in her body appreciatively. "My beautiful Georgia. I love you more and more every single day, and I can't wait to show you how much."

"Then love me, Levi. Show me everything."

He smiled.

 

 

Later that evening, after they had finished the amazing dinner provided by the concierge service, Annabeth managed to get dressed despite Hick's best intentions. She had compromised and was wearing one of his Navy tee shirts and nothing else. It wasn't as loose as she would have liked, but it did at least cover her girl bits, so she wasn't flashing Bambi and the rest of the woodland creatures. It was silly to think that way, but she couldn't help herself. All those gorgeous windows brought the outdoors right inside.

Standing at the sink, she dried the plates they had used and put them away. The cabin was beautiful and had all the amenities you could ask for. They had only been there one day, and already she was dreading having to leave. They had yet to try the hot tub, so she sent Hick out to make sure it was ready to go. After the workout they had in the bedroom, her sore muscles could use a nice long soak.

She heard her cell phone ding and frowned. Everyone knew she was going to be out of pocket this week and were told only call if it were a dire emergency. Dropping the dishtowel over the stove handle, she found her purse and dug in it until she found her cell. Pulling up her text messages, she saw it was from Hick. Most likely, he had gotten into the tub and was too lazy to get her, electing instead to send a message. She smiled to herself.

Swiping the screen, she looked at the emoji puzzle he had sent. They hadn't played the game much since Phoenix. First, she was recovering, then getting everything together to move and now living with him; it was just something they had let go. She wrinkled her brow as she studied the picture. It contained a man, a ring, a woman and a question mark. Normally, the answers came to her immediately, but this one was going to take a little time.

Keeping her eyes on the screen, she padded through the back to the deck. "I'm not sure I know this one. It may take me a..."

She looked up to see the man of her dreams on one knee. He had a dozen red roses cradled in one arm and the other lifted up towards her holding a small red velvet box containing a gorgeous ring with a beautiful emerald center surrounded by tiny diamonds.

The cell clattered to the floor as her eyes misted and her fingers covered her lips. She couldn't speak; only stare at him in shock as he grinned at her.

"Many years ago, my grandmother told me stories about how she and my grandfather had fallen in love on a ferry. They had a whirlwind romance that lasted less than a week before they were married. My grandfather worked hard to give her a life worth living. They started out with next to nothing, but he slaved away for years until he saved up enough money to open a small bistro in Boston. They worked together until it grew into three five star restaurants. On their fortieth anniversary, he gave her a beautiful pendant containing diamonds and emeralds, one for each of their three children and fourteen grandchildren. He told her family was their treasure. Three years later, he died of a heart attack while sitting at his desk. Grandmother had the pendant broken down into rings for each of us with the stipulation that we boys find the right one to give ours too. She said that we would be grafting into the family so to be careful of whom we choose."

He looked at the box in his hand. The emerald caught the light and reflected it back making it look as if a green fire burned in its center. "The minute I met you, I thought about this ring, waiting patiently in a lockbox. I fooled myself into believing it was just wishful thinking. We were friends, then friends with benefits and I told myself that is all we could be. But my heart knew better. For months, I wrestled with myself, going back and forth, trying to convince myself that we could only ever be friends. Each time I held you in my arms, I realized just how precious you were to me. Every time we parted, I felt a larger piece of my heart leave with you until there wasn't anything left of it with me. Annabeth, you are my heart. You are my life and my reason, and I can't imagine one more second of not having you be mine. I know we wanted to be casual and we've only recently moved into a personal, intimate relationship. I know we haven't discussed marriage, but I know you are it for me. I have made mistakes. I have hurt you, and I haven't always been there for you. But if you will let me, I'll spend every second of every day showing you how much I need and love you. Annabeth, will you let me love you? Will you let me care and cherish you until we are old and gray and die in each other's arms at 120 years old? Will you marry me?"

Annabeth's breath caught in her throat. Once upon a time, she had dreamed of the day she would be swept off her feet by a prince charming just like the books she devoured as a child. As she grew, she realized that not everyone had a happily ever after. But now? Now she could see it - a future with Hick, sharing that life worth living, holding on to each other through the bumps and pitfalls that awaited them. She smiled as tears slid down her cheeks and she nodded. Swallowing hard, she yelled, "Yes! Oh my God yes, Levi. I'll marry you."

He took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger. Then rising, he drew her into his embrace and kissed her soundly. When he had finished, she looked at the ring. "Annabeth Salter. It has a nice sound to it."

He nuzzled her neck. "The best part? You won't have to change the monogram on your sheets."

"Speaking of sheets," her eyes found him, and she waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Yes ma'am," he intoned then swept her off her feet and took her into the bedroom.