Safeguarding Kelly(50)
Author: Zoe Dawson

“I almost lost you.” His voice broke, and she pushed up in bed to wrap her arms around him.

 

“You didn’t lose me. You saved me, Jason. In so many ways, you’ve saved me.”

 

“Ah, God, Kelly,” he whispered, his face contorting with raw emotion as he rested against her. He remained motionless for a moment, then he cradled her head in both hands, his mouth covering hers with a lingering kiss. There was such raw tenderness in that kiss that tears stung her eyes. She opened her mouth for him, and he deepened the kiss. With the same infinite gentleness, he moved his mouth over hers, and the tears welled and slipped down her cheeks, his gentleness moving her beyond words.

 

When he broke the kiss, he pressed his forehead against hers. “Kelly, I have loved you for a long time and I’m not going to miss another moment making sure you understand my commitment to you and Kiko. I want you both in my life permanently. Will you marry me?”

 

Trying to deal with the emotion that suddenly clogged her throat, she watched as he leaned back, dug into his jean pocket, and pulled out a black velvet box. He clasped the lid and lifted, revealing a gorgeous, sparkling square-cut diamond.

 

“Jason…Oh my God.” She lifted her eyes from the ring to his face. “Are you sure about this? Our future is in flux. We don’t know what’s going to happen with the Coast Guard.”

 

“I don’t give a damn what happens with the Coast Guard. All I care about is that you and Kiko belong to me. We’ll deal with everything else as it comes. Marry me, babe. Make my life complete.” He looked at her with hope, then down at the ring.

 

Her chest was so full, she could barely breathe. She cupped his jaw and felt the muscles contract as he tried to swallow, and she tightened her hold, willing him to look at her. Finally, he met her gaze, the rawness in his eyes going straight to her heart.

 

She stared at him, the richness, the wholeness, of her feelings nearly overwhelming her as she tightened her hold on his face. “Yes, you’re right. So completely right. Nothing else matters. I’ll marry you,” she whispered vehemently. “You are beautiful and wonderful, and God, I love you so much.”

 

His expression scored with a range of emotions, he closed his eyes and pressed her hand against his mouth, his voice hoarse. “I love you so much, babe.” He removed the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger, then embraced her, holding her for a few minutes.

 

“Okay, now that you’re pledged to me, can you spring me from this joint?”

 

Jason stared at her, then closed his eyes and hugged her hard, his voice breaking on an unsteady laugh. “I think I’m up to the task. Let’s go home.”

 

 

 

 

 

Kelly awoke at dawn, tucked into the curve of Jason’s body, his arm secure around her waist, his breath warm against her neck, and she let her eyes drift shut, loving the feel of waking up in his arms in her own bed. She couldn’t wait to see Kiko, but it was way too early yet to go knocking on Jenny’s door.

 

She was feeling so much better and surprisingly rested. They had talked into the night—not about the Coast Guard or her abduction, or even about his father. Instead, they had talked about their future, one he was sure they would have. He let her know that his mom was eager about helping her plan the wedding and he hoped her mom and sister would share.

 

She said there might be some arm wrestling, some jockeying for position, and some flying crane kicks, but she was sure they would work it out.

 

But now the sun was coming up and she couldn’t wipe the smile off her mouth. Softly rubbing the back of his strong hand, Kelly shifted and looked at the clock on her phone. She eased away from him. As soon as she moved, Jason rolled onto his stomach, giving her a tantalizing view of his well-muscled back.

 

She dragged her gaze away and covered him, then leaned down and lightly kissed his temple. She spent her time making fresh cinnamon buns and doing two loads of laundry.

 

“What the hell are you doing?” he said, low and angry.

 

She looked up from taking the cinnamon buns out of the oven. “Don’t use that tone with me. I’m the one with the MD. Now come over here and ice these before they get cold.”

 

He mumbled under his breath about her losing her mind, that she should listen and she was stubborn.

 

When he reached her, she smoothed her hand over his bare chest, then dragged his head down and kissed him. Then before he could recover, she shoved the bowl of icing in his hands. “I’m going to get Kiko. Be right back.”

 

“Dammit, woman!”

 

“Oh, make some coffee. I forgot.” She blew him a kiss, and he scowled at her.

 

He set his hands on his hips. “That’s not helping.”

 

She blew him another one. “Kiko gets orange juice,” she said as she flounced out of the kitchen. Okay, flounced might be too strong of a word. But she went and she wiggled her fingers at him in a goodbye.

 

When she got to Jenny’s, the woman hugged her hard, tears streaming down her cheeks. Then apologized profusely if she hurt her ribs. Kelly hugged her back, giggling, thankful to have such wonderful friends like Jenny.

 

When Kiko came down the stairs and saw her, she yelled, “Mommy!”

 

She caught her daughter against her with a little wince. Her little arms held Kelly tightly. “I made cinnamon buns. How about we go and have some.”

 

“Is Jason there?”

 

“Yes, he is. He told me that you’ve been holding back a secret. Is it the one I think it is?”

 

Her daughter giggled and nodded. “He’s going to be so surprised I know.”

 

“Let’s go tell him.”

 

Kiko skipped along beside Kelly as they left Jenny’s house and came up the walk to her own. When they entered the foyer, Jason came out of the kitchen, his face pinched into a frown, obviously still peeved at her. Kiko looked at her mom and at the same decibel, Kiko shouted, “Daddy!” Then she ran to him as Kelly’s vision blurred.

 

With a dumbfounded look on his face, his eyes met Kelly’s. She could see how stunned he was, and she could only guess at the kind of emotions he was wrestling with. He crouched down and caught Kiko against him, closing his eyes briefly and holding his daughter with all the love he had for her in his heart showing out of his eyes.

 

He picked up Kiko and walked to her, pulling her into his one-armed embrace.

 

“Are you surprised I know you’re my daddy?”

 

“Surprised and so happy. Are you happy?”