Epilogue
Four weeks later…
The party reminded Jared of when he'd first met Parisa. In fact, there were many of the same people present at the wedding of Jasmine Kumar and Westley Larimer. This event was much smaller than the engagement party—only family and a few friends, less than fifty people. But there was still a large buffet, plenty of champagne, and a classical pianist adding a beautiful score to the reception at the Larimer estate in South Hampton.
Jasmine and Westley had said their I do's in the backyard, and now the guests were being treated to a magnificent dinner on the covered patio. It was a cold February evening, so heat lamps and candles bathed the area in a warm glow.
As he glanced around the patio, his gaze caught on Parisa. She wore a stunning dark-red silk dress with a few beads that caught the light, her legs bare, her black heels high, her hair falling down around her shoulders in luxurious, silky waves. His pulse jumped, and he felt a rush of awareness, connection, and love for the beautiful woman who had stolen his heart at first glance.
Over the past month, they'd gotten even closer, sharing all the details of their lives, learning each other's bad habits, laughing together while watching sitcoms from the seventies, competing with each other at cards and other games, spending long nights just talking about anything and everything.
Parisa wasn't just his lover; she was his best friend. How on earth had he gotten so lucky? He probably didn’t deserve her, but he was going to spend the rest of his life trying to make her as happy as she made him.
He smiled to himself as he watched her talking to Jasmine and Anika—the friends of her youth, but also two women she'd become even closer to in the last few months. He was glad to see them smiling, laughing. It could have all ended so differently.
Parisa turned her head and caught him staring—just like she had the night of Jasmine's engagement party. She raised her champagne glass and gave him a nod, an intimate look burning up the space between them.
A moment later, she broke away from the women and walked over to join him.
"I've been neglecting you," she said, taking his hand in hers.
"Not at all. I want you to have fun."
"I have fun when I'm with you."
"You can have fun when you're not with me, too. As long as it's not our kind of fun," he teased.
She smiled. "You don't have to worry."
"You don't have to worry, either."
"I know." She squeezed his fingers. "It was a beautiful wedding—quiet, intimate, understated, exactly what Jasmine wanted. She found her voice with Westley."
"And he realized that getting married was about more than a big show when he almost lost her." He paused, curious about something. "What kind of wedding would you want?"
He laughed. "Hell, no. When I propose to you, you will know it. And it will happen. I just want us to get everything figured out first."
"We're almost there. We both have jobs in DC now. I'm going to work on a new task force, and you're going to head the Domestic Protection Division of the CIA. You thought you were getting fired, and instead you got a big promotion."
"I'll be riding a desk, but I'll be making more money."
Her brow lifted in concern. "It is what you want, right?"
"It is. Really," he reassured her. "I'm happy to still be working toward keeping this nation safe, but I don't need to be in the field to do that. I'd rather be with you."
"In our new home in Georgetown, and our weekend getaway house in Upstate New York."
"It's all coming together. And I'm looking forward to getting to know your mother and stepfather better." They'd already spent one long evening with them, and he'd been happy with the warm welcome they'd given him.
"I haven't lived in the same city with my mother and stepfather in about eight years. It will be weird but also good to have family dinners again. I'm excited to meet your family, too," she said.
"They can't wait. We'll be in Hawaii tomorrow."
They were going to spend the week there before settling into their jobs in DC. And he had a very special evening planned—on a beach, at sunset, with the woman of his dreams—the woman he would ask to be his wife. He almost wanted to do it now, just because he couldn't wait. But this was Jasmine's night, and he wanted the proposal to be only about him and Parisa.
"Shall we dance?" Parisa asked, as the music began, and couples drifted on to the dance floor.
He set his champagne glass down on a nearby tray. As he did so, he saw a familiar face and one he didn't quite trust.
"Parisa," Vincent Rowland said.
"Vincent," she said with surprise. "Have you been here all evening?"
"No. I just arrived. My plane was late, unfortunately, and I missed the ceremony, but I heard it was lovely."
"It was," she agreed.
"It's good to see my godson so happy," Vincent added, tipping his head toward the bride and groom, who were smiling deep into each other's eyes as they danced together. "To think what they went through to get here."
"They were definitely tested, but they're going to have a long life together."
"Yes." Vincent glanced in Jared's direction. "I don't think we've officially met."
"Jared MacIntyre." His real last name was Beckham, but aside from Parisa and his family members, no one else knew that. His mother had kept her name of Montgomery when she married, so he hadn't lied when he'd told Parisa that. He'd become Jared MacIntyre when he entered the CIA, and he would remain that until he quit.
"Vincent Rowland."
"I've heard a lot about you," he drawled.
A gleam entered Vincent's eyes. "All good, I hope."
"I know your son was very important to Parisa. I'm sorry for your loss."
"Yes, thank you. Jamie was very important to me, too." Vincent cleared his throat. "I'm going to offer my congratulations to the families. Parisa—I'm sure we'll see each other again soon."
"I look forward to it," she said.
As Vincent walked away, Jared put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a tight squeeze. "I don't trust him."
"I don't, either, but it's been very quiet the last month—for both me and my fellow agents."
"You know what they say about the quiet before the storm…" He saw the frown cross her lips and regretted his comment. "Sorry."
"No, you're right. There was something creepy about the way he said he'd see me soon. But I don't want to think about Vincent tonight. I just want to be with you. Whatever comes next, we'll deal with it."
"Together," he said. "I love you, Parisa."
Her gaze warmed with pleasure. "I love you, too, Jared. Shall we dance?"
"Putting my arms around you seems like the perfect idea. And I'm a really good dancer." He swung her out onto the dance floor with a flourish.
"I would have expected nothing less."
He could have shown her some impressive moves, but once he put his arms around her, all he wanted to do was hold her. He'd show her his moves later, when they were alone, when they were in bed.
She gave him a happy smile. "I'm right where I want to be."
"Me, too. Let's stay this way forever."
"That sounds almost long enough."
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Want more romantic suspense, continue reading for an excerpt from , the first in the two-book Deception Duo.