The Perfect Murder by Kat Martin
FORTY-TWO
Kenzie sat on the sofa in Reese’s living room. It was late. They had spent hours with the Dallas police. Troy Graves, who had only been wanted for questioning in regard to the Poseidon, was now in police custody and facing charges of attempted murder, among a long list of others.
Two of the Poseidon crew had been arrested on an array of charges that included discharging an explosive device on a marine vessel, resulting in grave personal injury. People were going to jail. Kenzie thought the sentences they would receive were well-deserved.
Her gaze went to Reese, who stood at the wet bar opening a bottle of vintage Cristal champagne. She wasn’t exactly sure of the occasion. Maybe just that both of them were still alive.
He carried the champagne over, filled two crystal flutes, and set the bottle in the silver ice bucket on the coffee table.
“What are we celebrating?” Kenzie asked as he touched his glass to hers and took a drink.
“Actually, I’m just trying to work up the courage to say what I’ve been wanting to say for a while now.”
Her stomach curled. After the incident with Troy in the office, Reese had said he loved her. She knew he cared for her. He had proven it again and again. But there were different kinds of love.
From the start, she had been waiting for the time he would end things, try to return the relationship merely to friendship. As he had always done with the women he dated.
She took a big sip of champagne. Maybe that time had come.
“Go ahead,” she said. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
He looked nervous. Reese was never nervous. Her stomach tightened into a knot.
He took a drink of champagne. “After the way I kissed you at the office, the gossip is going to spread like wildfire.”
Her heart squeezed. She took a deep breath and tried to prepare herself. “You’re right, it is.”
“There’s a way we can fix that.”
Her eyes burned, filled with tears. She loved him. She would make it easy for him. “What do you want me to do?”
Shock hit her as he went down on one knee in front of the sofa, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a blue velvet box.
“I want you to marry me. I love you, Kenzie. With everything inside me.” He opened the box and a diamond solitaire sparkled in the lamplight. “I’ve never felt this way about a woman before. I never will again. Say you’ll marry me and I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy.”
For an instant, she couldn’t breathe. Then she threw her arms around his neck, nearly knocking him over. “Reese.” She hung on tighter. “Reese, I love you so much.”
He eased her back enough to look at her, his amazing blue eyes filled with love. “Is that a yes?”
“Of course it’s a yes. I love you. Griff loves you. Gran loves you. If you’ll have all of us, then yes, yes, a thousand times yes.” She went back into his arms.
“I want us to be a family,” he said, nuzzling the side of her neck. “I want us to have more kids. If...if that’s what you want, too.”
She smiled at him through her tears. “I do, I absolutely, do. Griff wants a brother. We can give him one.”
The last of his tension slipped away. “Or a baby sister who looks just like you.”
Kenzie brushed away tears. “I feel like I’m dreaming.”
“If you’re dreaming, we both are, and it’s a beautiful dream. You’re everything I ever wanted, baby. I can’t wait to start a life with you.” Reese slid the ring onto her finger and very thoroughly kissed her.
It was late morning now, the sun well up. Kenzie had been awake for a while watching Reese sleep. He was lying on his stomach, dozing softly beside her. Her gaze ran over the beautiful tattooed wings stretching across his wide shoulders. She traced one of the feathers with the tip of her finger, then shrieked when Reese erupted beneath her, laughing as he turned over, bringing her with him, setting her on top of him.
“Good morning,” he said, grinning. He was aroused, she realized, and a rush of desire slipped through her.
She smiled down at him. “After making love all night, I can’t believe you’re thinking about sex.”
Reese cupped her breast and gently caressed her. “And you’re not?”
She laughed, her body softening beneath his touch. “I’m thinking about it now.” She leaned forward, her long dark hair cocooning them as she lifted a little and eased him inside her.
Reese groaned as she took control, setting up a rhythm he quickly matched. Gripping her hips to hold her in place, he drove into her, heightening the pleasure. Demanding and giving, they took from each other, took and gave until there was no holding back. Pleasure erupted, fierce and sweet, carrying her over the edge. Reese followed a few moments later.
“I love you,” he said as he curled her against his side and settled an arm around her. “I can’t wait to marry you.” He gave her a last brief kiss. “In fact, I bought you an early wedding present.”
“You did?”
“If you don’t like it, we can sell it and buy something else, but I’ve been looking at the property for a while now. It’s a big two-story home, with plenty of room for all of us. Maybe I was thinking of marrying you even before I figured it out.”
“Oh, Reese, that’s a wonderful present. I can’t wait to see it. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. We’re just getting started.”
Kenzie thought of the family they would make together, trusting him with her heart as she hadn’t been able to do before.
Kenzie smiled. As Reese had said, they were just getting started.
