Page 66 of Nigel

"I would say Iam. Speaking of which-" He started to move again, but sheclamped her thigh over his.

"What are youdoing?" he asked laughingly.

"Making you stayput. I am too comfortable."

"It will onlytake a minute." He kissed her roughly on the lips beforeextricating himself. He went to get his briefcase and took out asmall square box and an oblong one. Her eyes went wide as he cameback to join her.

"This first, Ithink." He popped the square box open to reveal the moststunning square cut diamond she had ever seen. "I guessed yourring size and hope it fits." Taking her left hand, he spread hersurprisingly long and elegant fingers. Taking a deep breath, hestarted to slide the ring on.

"Wait."

"What?"

"You did not askme," she told him huskily.

"I did."

"Ask me now."

A smile creased hislips. "Ava, would you do me the honor of being my wife?"

"You aresupposed to go down on one knee."

"Ava."

"Please."

With a deep sigh, heslid down onto the hardwood floor, one knee bent. "Marry me,please."

"Yes." Shewas fighting tears.

The ring was aperfect fit and she could not stop staring at the large stone. "Iam going to need a bodyguard."

"Do you likeit?" He was back on the sofa next to her.

"I love it. AndI really am not going to ask how much you had to shell out."

"Because youwould not want to spoil the moment." He opened the oblong boxand had her gasping. The dazzling necklace shone bright on the bed ofblack velvet and shot flames everywhere. "It matches the ring."Taking it out, he looped it around her neck, the teardrop diamondnestling between her breasts. "What do you think?"

"I think you arespoiling me." She lifted her head to look at him, tears blurringher eyes. "I think I am dreaming, that there was no way thiscould be happening to me at this point in my life.

And I think - damnyou for making me cry again. I am not the crying type. And- Oh God!"She burrowed against him; her face pressed against his throat. "Ilove you so much that I cannot - I cannot-" She could not finishthe sentence, so overcome with emotions that her throat was tightfrom them.

"I love you toodarling." His voice was hoarse, his body trembling. "And Inever thought that this would happen to me. I am a fool over you."His fingers caressed her back. "I am giddy like a schoolboy andI just want to do everything for you. I want us to be a unit so muchthat I can hardly wait for you to bear my name and everything else."

She did not respondand he waited for her to compose herself. He was feeling more than alittle shaky himself, the emotions crowding inside him. She liftedher head, the tears making her cheeks damp. "Let's go upstairs.I want to thank you properly."

"I concur."His hazel eyes studied her. "Okay?"

"No." Shesniffed. "Not yet. I want to feel you."

"Then let's getupstairs." He rose and took her hand to help her up.

*****

"I should havecome with you," She was sated and glowing from the rather tenderlovemaking they had indulged in as soon as they hit the bedroom. Shehad one leg thrown over his and was trailing her fingers through thehairs on his chest. "I wanted to as soon as you left."

"You would nothave been here for the incident." He felt whole and contented,so happy that he was tempted to break out in song. This voluptuousbeauty in his arms had brought him so much happiness that he couldscarcely contain it.