I crossed the boat and leaned against the railing beside her, slipping my arm about her waist and tugging her tight against me. She glanced my way, a lock of hair blowing across her eyes. I reached up to brush it out of the way.
“It’s lovely,” I said.
“I don’t think lovely quite cuts it,” she said with a grin.
She was right. The air was scented crisp and salty from the ocean. Seattle receded behind us, its skyline distant as the boat kept moving away. Gulls called and swooped. We’d seen a pod of orcas only moments before. I was definitely out of my element, but I didn’t mind. As long as Zoe was with me, I didn’t give a bloody damn where I was.
“Perhaps not. That’s not what I came to say though.”
“Oh? Did you learn how to drive the boat yet?” she asked with a sly grin.
I’d ventured to chat with the boat captain and announced to Zoe I thought we’d paid way too much for a drive over the water, but I didn’t care to tease about that now.
“Luv, let’s get married.”
Her eyes widened and then she started laughing. After a beat, tears were sliding down her cheeks. I tugged her into me, turning my back against the railing and pulling her flush against me. I brushed her hair back.
“I had it all planned, but I didn’t want to wait,” I murmured as I dusted kisses over her cheeks. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
She dragged the corner of her sleeve across her cheeks, interrupting me as I kissed my way to her lips.
“They’re good tears,” she said with a hiccup. “What do you mean you had it all planned?”
I leaned back, soaking her in. “I meant to wait until tonight at dinner. I have a ring and all.”
She stared at me, and another tear slipped down her cheek. “Oh. Oh wow. So you really are asking me to marry you.”
I nodded, wondering if I’d stepped wrong here. It had been roughly a year since that rainy night when I’d finally faced the fact I loved her. In the intervening time, we’d moved in together and were presently in the midst of trying to find a house outside of the bustle of downtown Seattle. She’d weathered the kerfuffle over our relationship becoming public news. As she’d worried, there’d been a few public comments that she’d met me because she’d been hired to handle my legal case. To my relief, several colleagues of hers had publicly noted she’d done precisely as required and referred my case onward. I was still annoyed over that bit because I’d thought it entirely pointless. But, the dust had settled and for that I was relieved. Zoe was a worrier and ridiculously particular. Every so often, it occurred to me I should be thankful she’d broken a few rules for me.
Once again, I wasn’t following the plan and even though it wasn’t her who’d done the planning, I bet it bothered her. That thought made me grin.
She eyed me, a slow smile spreading. “What?”
“Just thinking it’s a better plan with you not to have a plan,” I offered, threading my hand into her hair and pulling her close.
“So, what do you say?” I murmured.
“Yes. Of course, I say yes,” she replied, her cheeks flushing pink. “You can’t think I’d say anything else.”
In a flash, the weight of the moment hit me. I knew well Zoe held my heart in her hands, but my tendency to be confident let me forget to worry about what that meant.
I leaned back and gulped in air. “No luv. It’s not quite that simple. I still can’t quite believe you haven’t run me out. Lest you think I have the upper hand, never forget that it’s the opposite. I’d do anything for you.”
Another tear rolled down her cheek, and then I was kissing her with clouds scudding across the sky and the ocean breeze swirling around us.
***
Thank you for reading Out of Bounds! I hope you enjoyed Ethan & Zoe’s story. Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter at http://jhcroixauthor.com/subscribe/ to get a free copy of another one of my books!
xoxo
JH Croix
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* * *
Brit Boys Sports Romance
The Play
Big Win
Out Of Bounds
Play Me
Diamond Creek Alaska Novels
Follow Love
Love Unbroken
Love Untamed
Tumble Into Love
Christmas Nights
Last Frontier Lodge Novels
Christmas on the Last Frontier
Love at Last
Just This Once
Falling Fast
Stay With Me
When We Fall
Hold Me Close
Crazy For You
Catamount Lion Shifters
Protected Mate
Chosen Mate
Fated Mate
Destined Mate
A Catamount Christmas
Ghost Cat Shifters
The Lion Within
Lion Lost & Found
Acknowledgments
This one goes out to my mom. I finished this book up right when she was busy reminding me life is what you make of it. For her, it’s all about actions, not words. To one of the strongest women I know - cheers Mom! Gracious thanks to Yoly Cortez from Cormar Covers for creating an entire series of amazing covers. My editor held my feet to the fire on this one and made sure Tristan was all the man he was supposed to be. Special thanks to my proofreader angels - Beth P., Terri E., Janine & now Terri D. You never let my books go out without making sure they’re just so. Always…my readers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for cheering my books on!
xoxo
J.H. Croix
About the Author
Bestselling author J. H. Croix lives in a small town in the historical farmlands of Maine with her husband and two spoiled dogs. Croix writes steamy contemporary romance with strong independent women and rugged alpha men who aren't afraid to show some emotion. Her love for quirky small-towns and the characters that inhabit them shines through in her writing. Take a walk on the wild side of romance with her bestselling novels!
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