“He told me of his desire for us to reside at McInnis Keep for half the year."She glanced anxiously up at him. "Do you mind?"He stopped and turned to face her, gathering he hands in his. "Genevieve, I would agree to six months in hell if it meant being with you."Her cheeks warmed and she smiled, joy spreading like wildfire through her soul."Well, I hope you don't think six months at McInnis Keep is akin to hell," she teased."If I'm with you, anywhere is heaven.”

“Impulsively, she leaned across the truck and kissed him on the cheek. He glanced over in surprise when she pulled away, but pleasure glowed in his eyes."What was that for?""Just seemed like the thing to do," she said."Well, feel free to do it more often," he encouraged. "I assure you I won't mind.”

“She laid her head against his collarbone, and he kissed her temple. To her shock, she felt a shudder roll through his body about the same time she registered wetness against her skin. Tears. His tears.She started to turn around, but he tightened his grip.“Stay,” he said in a choked voice. “Just let me hold you, baby. Just let me hold you.”

“Genevieve burst into laughter and hugged him fiercely, because otherwise she would cry. Not because she was unhappy but because joy crowded every inch of her heart and soul. She was about to burst with it.”

“This is better than a romance novel." P.J. said with a wistful sigh. "You read that stuff?" Cole demanded. "Why the hell do you ask the question like that?" P.J. said, annoyance evident in her tone and expression. "You just didn't seem the type," Cole mumbled. She flipped him the bird, and Shea had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. P.J. was easily half Cole's size but she also looked like she had the confidence to take on the much larger man. She might even kick his ass. The idea intrigued Shea greatly. "I'm tempted to shove one of my romance novels up your ass." P.J. said sharply. "But I love my books too much to desecrate them like that, I'll settle for my boot." Cole held up his hands in surrender. "I won't say another word. Romance novels are great. I love romance novels. I think everyone should read them.”

“Instead of answering her, he moved over her in a powerful rush. He took her mouth roughly, devouring her lips as his tongue plunged inside, tangling with hers.Her body surged to life, arching up into his. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he gathered her tightly against him. Their bodies were as fused as their mouths. Between her legs, she could feel him so hard. Hot.”

“His eyes narrowed. “First, the marriagewill take place. Just as soon as you’ve regained your senses and realize that tis the only sensible option left to you.”When she would have opened her mouthto dispute his assertion, he shocked her by clamping his hand over her mouth.“You will be silent and allow me to finish. I have doubts that you’ve ever been able to hold your silence for more than a moment in your entire lifetime,” he grumbled.She huffed but his hand tightened on hermouth.“I can only assume that my son overheardme speaking to my men of our marriage. If you would have but cautioned him to hold his tongue, he would not have repeated it beyond his question to you. But now, you’ve announced our marriage to the entire clan.Some might even consider it a proposal. In which case, I accept.”He finished with a grin and then steppedback, releasing his hold on her mouth.“Why … you …,” she sputtered. She workedher mouth up and down but nothing wouldcome out.A cheer went up from the crowdassembled.“A wedding!”