Melting The Ice (31 page)

“No…actually it’s yours.”

A noise that sounded suspiciously like a growl escaped Lani as the officers shut the door behind them, promising to be in touch.  Ava stared at the closed door trying to wrap her mind around what had become her reality.  She collapsed onto the sofa and buried her face in her hands.  She wasn’t crying; just resting her eyes for a moment but Cian thought otherwise.  She felt the cushion dip beside her and his arms close around her.

“Hey…don’t cry…” he crooned to her, resting his chin on top of her head.  She laid her head against his chest listening to the beat of his heart.  It was several long moments before she let out a rueful laugh.

“I’m not crying.” He pushed her back far enough he could see for himself that she wasn’t crying at all.  She didn’t look mad either.  She appeared tired and maybe even a little stressed but other than that was regarding him with a half-smile. “Do you have any more crazy exes that I should know about?”  He laughed and shook his head before settling her back against him.

“Not that I’m aware of, anyway.” He gave serious consideration to her question for a few seconds mentally running through the females he had dated over the years and couldn’t think of a single one that would flip out like Lani…then again, he never would have imagined Lani flipping out like that either. “What about yours?”  She giggled at his question.

“I believe you’ve already had the pleasure.” He laughed too, knowing she was referring to Patrick.  He held her gently, his hands running absently over her back.  It had been an eventful day; and of all the crazy things that had happened, the one that surprised him the most was Ava not blaming him for the scene Lani had just subjected them to.  He had felt his heart plummet when he had seen his ex-girlfriend lying across his bed wearing the ring he had been within moments of finally putting on Ava’s finger…he had never felt so helpless.  How the hell do you explain something like that?  If the situation were reversed he would have…well, he didn’t know what he would have done but it would probably have involved kicking someone’s ass.  Come to think of it, Ava would have wiped the floor with Lani if Cian hadn’t gotten off the phone when he had. Would he have believed Ava?  He pondered that for a moment and smiled to himself; he would have believed her because she was the woman he loved and she wouldn’t lie to him.

“Do you remember where we were before we were so rudely interrupted?” He quipped, coaxing another laugh from her.  She leaned her head back against his shoulder to smile up at him and nodded her head, her blue eyes regarding him lovingly.  “Do you still feel the same way?”  Her smile became a broad grin and she shook her head.

“No…I don’t feel the same…you know what I realized?”  He shook his head hesitantly, his gaze mildly concerned.  Her hand slid over his jaw covered in five o’clock shadow to caress him.  “I knew I loved you…but I didn’t know I trusted you…completely.”  His mouth came down on hers in a long, passionate mating of lips, pouring everything he felt for her into the kiss.  He felt euphoric knowing that she not only loved him but trusted him as well.  The kiss went on and on becoming hotter by the minute.  He wanted nothing more than to lay her down on the sofa and make love to her…her mouth and body were driving him wild.  He gentled his mouth against hers easing away from her until they were no longer touching anywhere but their lips.  After one more lingering kiss, he grasped her by the shoulders and set her away from him.  Her eyes were glazed with passion as her arms came up to reach for him.  He caught her hands in his and held them easily in his grasp.

“Cian…” she gasped wanting to be back in his arms.  Her mouth fell open in shock when he slid off the sofa onto one knee and looked at her apprehensively.  She gaped at him when he held the beautiful ring he had picked out for her between his thumb and forefinger, the big diamond sparkling at her while his brown eyes stared intently into her wide-eyed gaze.

“Ava Talbot…will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

The moment of truth had arrived.  She swallowed hard and took a deep breath and opened her mouth to respond but all that came out was a choked sob as tears started trickling from her eyes.  He was momentarily alarmed until she threw herself into his arms, nodding her head for all she was worth.  “Yes…” she choked out between sobs. “Yes…yes…yes…”  He sighed with relief and he hugged her hard, burying his face against her neck.  She spent the next few minutes in Cian’s arms sobbing and clinging to him, his murmured words soothing her.  Normally, it damn near killed him for Ava to cry…but she was crying happy tears at the thought of being his wife and that gave him a feeling of tremendous satisfaction.  When she finally managed to get herself under control, she leaned back and wiped at the tears on her face, her smile beaming at him. “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to cry all over you…”  He grasped her left hand and gently slid the ring onto her third finger.  They both stared at the symbolic piece of jewelry for a few seconds, looks of awe on both their faces at the giant step they were taking before their eyes met.  Huge smiles wreathed their faces.  Their mouths met in a kiss that was so tender and full of emotion, words were completely unnecessary.  Somehow, their clothes disappeared and they made love to each other on the sofa, taking the time to cherish the love they shared, letting their bodies speak for them. 

When they were done, they lay wrapped around each other on the sofa, a light blanket draped over them while they exchanged long, drugging kisses.  Neither was anxious to move into the bedroom.  She held her hand and admired her gorgeous engagement ring…she was actually going to marry Cian Secord.  Who would have ever thought?

“What are you thinking?” He asked drowsily, his hand stroking lazily over her arm.  She giggled.

“I’m thinking we’re gonna have to burn your bed…”  He burst out laughing and gave her a light smack on her rear.  She leaned up one elbow to look into his handsome face, her wildly curling hair falling over her shoulder when she placed a warm kiss on his lips. “I was thinking I’m the luckiest woman in the world.”  His hand grasped the back of her neck and pulled her down for a longer kiss. 

“I love you, Ava…” He interspersed his words with light, smacking kisses. “You coldhearted woman.”  She laughed and hugged him to her hard.  She really was the luckiest woman in the world.