Love's Tender Bond [Bonding Camp 6] (Siren Publishing Menage and More) (10 page)

If he wanted to talk about marriage, she’d rather he didn’t do it here, while she was giving him a massage. If he was really serious about asking her to marry him, wouldn’t he do it at a more apt time? Of course, she wasn’t sure how this sort of thing worked. No one had ever asked her to marry them before. A zip of excitement shot to her heart thinking about the possibility of a proposal. Maybe tonight would be the night. Heat rushing through her, her mind turned over the possibilities. She had the distinct feeling her life was about to change drastically.

Missy let Sam snooze on the table while she organized the massage room, watching to be sure he didn’t roll over and fall off to the floor. When he yawned and stretched, she turned to smile at him and he slid from the table and gave her a kiss. With a promise to see her later in the evening, he left Solitude and Missy was alone again.

Now she perused her reflection in the mirror of her bathroom, hoping her nervousness didn’t show in her eyes. He’d be here in fifteen minutes. They had agreed to spend the evening together, just the two of them, quietly watching television. Something an old married couple would do. A knock on her door jarred her into action. “Coming!”

She opened the door to her suite to find Sam standing there, smiling. “Hi.”

“Hi.” He stepped inside, slid his arms around her waist, and kissed her softly, his lips sliding over hers.

Missy molded her body to his, wrapping her arms around his neck. He tasted of mint and smelled of some woodsy scent. She wanted to coil herself around him and take him into her soul.

“That’s a nice welcome,” he said, raising his head. “Are you going to invite me in?”

Missy giggled. “Come on,” she said, taking his arm and pulling him inside, closing the door behind them. “Let’s go sit down. I’ve made some popcorn.”

Sam moved to the small loveseat that sat in the middle of Missy’s little living room. Her suite was smaller, but she liked it. It was cozy and homey and she wouldn’t have it any other way. He sat down and patted the cushion beside him. “Before we settle in for the night, I want to talk to you about something.”

Her tummy immediately tightened. Was this going to be the talk she had been anticipating since he had brought the subject of marriage up? Her hands became clammy, but she sat beside him, folding her hands in her lap. “It sounds serious. Is everything okay?”

Sam chuckled and took one of her hands, pulling it from her lap. “Don’t be so nervous. Things are fine. Better than fine, actually.”

“Well, what did you want to talk to me about?”

His face softened, his clear blue eyes gazing into hers. “You and I have become pretty close these past few weeks. I’ve never been so connected to someone before.” He closed both of his hands over the one of hers he was holding.

Missy trembled inside, hoping this conversation was leading where she thought it was. She had thought about it all day, about what her answer would be if he should ask her to marry him.

“We’ve talked about our families,” he continued, “and the fact that both of us really don’t have one to speak of. I’ve missed that during my life. Watching other people with their parents and brothers and sisters and me, with no one. I thought my whole life would be spent basically alone in the world but then—you came into my life and now I don’t feel so alone.” He squeezed her hand and then, to her amazement, he slid off the loveseat onto the floor.

Kneeling in front of her, still holding her hand, he smiled up at her. “Missy, I’m quite a bit older than you and in certain ways, a little old-fashioned. You and I have talked about things I’ve never discussed with anyone before and it seems we are of the same mind.” He took a deep breath and swallowed, his Adam’s apple moving up and then down. “Missy Blue, would you do me the honor of living the rest of your life with me? Would you be my wife?”

Missy wanted to scream but desperately controlled the urge. “Sam, are you sure?” She didn’t want him realizing he had bent to the moment and asked her out of a sense of need.

“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.” He squeezed her hand. “Marry me, Missy. Please?”

“Sam Rodgers, yes, I will marry you.”

He burst from his place on the floor and caught her up in his arms, pulling her from the loveseat. Raining kisses on her face, he told her over and over, “I love you, I love you, I love you.”

Missy laughed, happiness filling her completely like champagne bubbles coursing through her veins. She finally had someone to share her life with, someone she trusted to know her completely and love her no matter what. She and Sam shared a tender bond that would never break. Capturing his face between her hands, she gazed into his eyes. “I love you, Sam.” Then she pressed her lips against his and closed her eyes.

THE END

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christelle Mirin loves a good story. Her love of reading led to her writing career. She writes every chance she gets, including carrying a notebook along with her to her regular job just so she can jot down notes and plotlines. Christelle lives in Ohio with her husband, son, two dogs, and once in a while, her grand-dog. She has two daughters who live in nearby states and one granddaughter whom she loves dearly. Living along a river, Christelle’s family enjoys the water, whether boating, Jet Skiing, or just sitting on the bank and relaxing.

To learn more about Christelle and her works in progress, visit her website at www.christellemirin.webs.com and find out more. There you’ll see some personal photos, learn what she’s working on, and while there, be sure to visit her blog.

For all titles by Christelle Mirin, please visit

www.bookstrand.com/christelle-mirin