Chapter 37

For a man who didn’t know how to cut loose, Gabe was doing a very good job of it. She’d never seen him so laid-back, so relaxed, so…content. He lay stretched out beside her, his scarred leg draped over both of hers, his eyes closed. If it wasn’t for his fingers combing idly through her hair, she’d think he was asleep, he was so utterly limp.

She propped herself up on one elbow to gaze down at him. He looked like a happy, well-satisfied man, and it gave her a little thrill that she’d had a hand in putting that expression on his face. She wanted to paint him like this with the moonlight spilling through the windows, sparking off his dog tags.

Her wounded warrior. Her strong SEAL. Her muse. Her love.

God, did she love him.

She smiled and poked him in the ribs until he groaned and opened one eye. “What is it, woman? I want sleep. You wore me out.”

“Earlier, you mentioned an international office. Where?” She hoped not on the other side of the world, or else she’d never see him.

Both eyes open now, his expression turned serious. “Well.” He moistened his lips. “I was thinking here in Costa Rica.”

“Not Europe?”

“We might open one there eventually, but no. Not Europe.”

“Because of me?”

“There were several reasons. Pricing, location, local laws… But you were the biggest factor in my decision,” he admitted and rolled over so that they were nose to nose. He curled one arm up underneath his pillow and traced a finger down her cheek with his free hand. “I know you love it here and couldn’t ask you to move. So I’m coming to you. I, uh, hoped—I was going to ask you?—”

Gabe stopped short, drew a breath. She’d never seen him look so nervous, and a little thrill jittered around her belly.

“Audrey,” he said softly, “will you move in with me?”

Okay, as far as proposals went, it wasn’t quite what she’d been hoping for. But it was a start. A very good start. She’d have to warm him up to the idea of marriage, because she fully intended to be his wife before the year’s end.

She leaned in to kiss him. “Technically, you’ll be moving in with me.”

Relief filled his beautiful golden eyes. “Is that a yes?”

Silly man. Had he honestly thought she’d turn him down? “Of course it’s a yes.”

With a hoot of triumph, he rolled her underneath his body and kissed her dizzy. His hand stroked the curve of her waist to her hip and dipped between her thighs, nudging her legs apart as his knuckles brushed her clit. She was tempted—oh, wow, especially when he did that with his fingers—to let him keep going, but a knock sounded at the front door.

She slapped her hands against his chest. “Hold up, bub. Someone’s here.”

“Ignore it,” he murmured and scooted down her body until his lips grazed her inner thigh, his tongue snaking out to tantalize the sensitive flesh there. “I have plans for you.”

Her belly muscles clenched at the thought. Maybe…

The knock sounded again, more persistent than polite this time. Damn. She squirmed out from underneath him. “They’re not going to leave.”

“Audrey…” Left balancing on his hands and knees on the mattress, he hung his head and heaved a long-suffering sigh.

“Oh, poor baby got his favorite toy taken away.” She smacked his very fine butt. “We’ll play later. Get dressed.”

“Naked’s more fun.”

“Also inappropriate for company.” She found her discarded sundress wrinkled and still a little damp from their earlier swim, but it would do. She pulled it over her head and started toward the bedroom door.

“Audrey, wait.”

She turned at the odd note in his voice. “What’s wrong?”

Back was the tension the day had bled out of him. Very slowly, moving like a cat stalking its prey in the moonlight, he slid out of bed. “Look at the clock. Who would be visiting at this time of night?”

She shrugged. “Maybe it’s a neighbor. I do have them, you know.” Except the closest one was a mile down the road, and Gabe was right, midnight wasn’t a normal time for an old-fashioned neighborly visit.

“Stay here.” He leaned in and kissed her soundly before she could protest. “Please don’t argue. This doesn’t feel right. Let me check it out first.”

She swallowed hard and nodded, her own anxiety spiking at the worry she saw in his eyes as he pulled on a pair of cargo pants. “Be careful.”

“Always.” After another quick, reassuring kiss, he disappeared down the hall with his gun in hand.

She waited.

And waited.

Heard nothing.

Her heart kicked into high gear, drumming a cumbia beat out on her ribcage until she couldn’t stand it anymore. She peeked out into the hall and saw Gabe standing at the screened front door, scowling at a dark shadow on the other side.

“Audrey?” the shadow called. “Is that you? Who is this guy?”

At the familiar voice, she let out a breath of relief and walked to Gabe’s side. He gave a slight nod, conceding to the false alarm, and holstered his weapon.

Jesus, she was going to kill him for scaring her like that.

She hit the porch light, illuminating her sister-in-law’s face. “What are you doing here, Chloe?”