Eight Months Later

I wake to the sun streaming in through the windows of Riley’s Malibu house. He says his love-hate relationship with Los Angeles is all over, and that he only bought property in Malibu because he wanted beach access, but I know better. After all, as Ian Taggart told me when he was in town last month, Riley knows perfectly well that Malibu isn’t really Los Angeles.

I smile at the memory, because that was also the day when Ian told Riley that he was off the books of McKay-Taggart for the next four months, freeing Riley’s schedule for another consulting gig—this time for Her Secret Service, Lyle’s next movie based on Serena Dean-Miles’ erotic thriller.

I roll over, enjoying the feel of the cool sheets against my naked skin as I think about all the wonderful perks that consulting job will bestow on me. Then I frown, realizing that cool sheets mean that I’m alone in bed—and have been for a while.

“Hey, beautiful.”

Riley’s voice caresses me, as smooth as whiskey and just as intoxicating. I prop myself up on my elbows and raise my brows. “You want to explain to me why, on the first day of my two-week vacation, I wake up alone in bed?”

“Might be because I had to feed your cat.” He takes a step toward me. “Or it might be because I had to answer the door. A delivery man brought this.” He passes me a letter-sized brown envelope.

I sit up, confused, pulling the sheet around me for warmth more than modesty. The windows are open and the breeze off the Pacific is cool. “What is it?”

“Open it.”

The envelope is closed only with a clasp, so it’s easy enough to get inside. I turn it over and a plane ticket falls into my lap. Confused, I read the destination, then frown as a slow anger starts to boil inside me.

“That lousy prick,” I say. “Taggart said he wasn’t going to offer you any more freelance work for four full months so that you could concentrate on Lyle and Serena’s movie.”

“Yeah, but that gig doesn’t start for another three weeks. This trip is only for ten days.”

“Ten days in China starting tomorrow,” I say after another glance at the ticket. “Dammit, Riley, this trip is over my vacation.” I will myself not to cry, but all I want to do is burst into tears. I haven’t taken a vacation in forever and I only took time off now because Riley specifically told me he wanted to spend it together.

“Huh,” he says, his brow furrowed as he takes the ticket from me. He turns it sideways, narrows his eyes, then steps back and says, “Oh! Of course.”

“What?” I demand, confusion piling on top of my irritation.

“You need this, too.” He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a small, flat box. Like a jewelry store might use for a bracelet. I open it, then see another ticket folded up on top. I smirk, then pull it out, laughing when I see my name on it.

“Not a mission,” I say, rising to put my arms around him. “A vacation for two.”

“That’s not exactly accurate,” he says, and if it weren’t for the twinkle in those dark, dreamy eyes, I’d be worried all over again. Instead, I’m intrigued.

I take a step back. “Okay,” I demand. “What have I got wrong?”

“Anything else in that box?”

I shoot him one suspicious glance, then poke at the pad of cotton on which the folded ticket had been sitting. My finger hits something hard, and I immediately lift my head, looking once again at Riley, who looks incredibly pleased with himself.

I pull off the cotton to reveal a platinum ring with a stunning diamond, its facets catching the morning light and gleaming like starlight.

My legs go weak, and I fall back onto the bed at the same time that Riley drops to one knee in front of me. “Not a vacation. A honeymoon.”

“A honeymoon,” I repeat.

"We can stop in Vegas on the way. Or we can break convention and do the honeymoon first.”

My lips twitch. “Aren’t you jumping the gun a little?”

He flashes me a wide, sexy smile that’s just a little sheepish. “Natasha Black,” he says, taking the ring from my palm. “Will you marry me?”

I laugh with delight, and I’m pretty sure my heart has skipped a beat or two. “Yes,” I say. “Oh, yes, Riley. Of course, yes.”

He slides the ring onto my finger, then kisses me in a way that makes clear I belong to him. As if I had any doubt at all.

When we break apart, I sigh happily then tug his hand so that we both drop down to sit on the edge of the bed. “Why China?” I ask as I gaze into the fire of my engagement ring.

“I wanted to go someplace exotic,” he says. “And where we could get completely lost together. What better place than somewhere we don’t speak the language?” His brow furrows. “You don’t speak Chinese, do you?”

I laugh. “No. And if the idea is to get lost with you, I have absolutely no motivation to learn it.”

“Good.” He brushes a strand of hair off my face. “Shame on you for thinking I’d leave you alone on your vacation.” Mischief twinkles in his eyes. “I really should punish you for that.”

“Absolutely you should,” I say, pulling him down on top of me. “Spank me. Tease me. Punish me. And then make love to me. Slowly, please. And very thoroughly.”

“Sweetheart, I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.” He cups my face and looks into my eyes with so much intensity I almost can’t bear the passion I see there. “Nothing except marry you, and I’m already planning to do that soon.”

“Yes,” I say, hooking an arm around his neck and pulling him close, craving the feel of him against me, inside me. “Yes,” I repeat before I lose myself in the magic of his touch. “You absolutely are.”

THE END

 

I’m so grateful to Lexi Blake for letting my play in the world of McKay-Taggart, and I was sold on the concept from the moment Lexi told me about her vision of a superhero universe, where characters from one world crossover into another. I’ve always known Lexi was freaking brilliant, and I think this project just sealed the deal for me. Not to mention the bonus of being part of a collection with some of my favorite authors and friends!

 

I love Riley and Natasha, and have since the moment they popped onto the page in Wicked Dirty. I hope you love them, too!

XXOO

JK