Protecting Rose (28 page)

“No.” Nate took her hands in his. “When they found him in Chicago at some high dollar fundraiser, he knew the game was over. He pulled a gun, and Rick shot him. He’s dead.”

“Oh.” She was momentarily stunned. She hadn’t wanted him dead, just locked up for the rest of his life. Then she reminded herself that he was a total heartless bastard who had murdered her parents and tried to murder her.

“Good.” Her voice rang harsh in the air.

Nate laughed and his eyes devoured her with a look of both pride and love. “That’s my girl.”

“So what happened to the money?”

He shook his head. “We don’t know. It’s just gone.”

“So, I’m broke.”

“Well, not exactly. He missed a few small accounts.” Nate laughed. “Well considering how much he took, that is. You still have about six hundred thousand dollars. Not exactly chump change, but nowhere near the ten million your parents left you.

“I don’t care about the money.” All she cared about was that she had people that loved her. That Nate loved her. And she loved them. Really, what else mattered?

“I love you, Cassandra-Rose. You’re an amazing woman, and I want to spend the rest of my life loving you.” He slid off the couch and came down to the floor on one knee.

Rose caught her breath.

Nate pulled a black box from his pocket. He met her gaze with a nervous grin and opened it. Rose glanced down to see an exquisite diamond ring nestled on a bed of red satin. It was a simple design in white gold with a large center marquise. Perfect. It was perfect.

“Rose-Cassandra Marie Townsend, will you marry me?”

Rose gasped and tried to speak, but her voice was frozen. She blinked.

Nate’s voice shook as he continued. “I know I’ll never be able to provide for you the way you’ve been accustomed. But I promise to love you forever and to spend the rest of my life keeping you safe and happy.” He paused, cupping her cheek with one hand. “What do you say, babe. Will you be my wife? Spend your life with me. Have my babies. Grow old with me,” he ended on a whisper.

Rose looked deeply into his baby blues and saw her future. She squealed and launched herself off the couch and into his arms, knocking them to the floor. She rained butterfly kisses all over him.

Lying on his back, looking up at her, he asked in amusement, “Is that a yes?”

Rose was overcome with emotion and unable to speak. Tears of happiness dropped to his face. With a moan, she nodded. “Uh huh.”

Nate lifted his arms around her and lifted the ring from the box.

“Give me your hand,” he demanded with a possessive gleam in his eyes.

She held her hand down to him, and he slipped the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit.

She squealed again, grasped his face, and kissed him long and hard. Lifting her head, she looked down at him, her body vibrating with happiness. “You know, Nate, we aren’t exactly broke.”

“I know, babe, you have six hundred thousand dollars. A lot of money, no doubt. You put it in an account to spend
on yourself
.” He buried his hands into her hair and leaned up to kiss her. “I can support us. The house may be small, but it’s really nice here, and it’s paid off.”

“I know you can, but that’s not what I meant.”

Nate kissed her again, before he rolled her onto her back. He reached down and unbuttoned her blouse before cupping her breast in his large gentle hand as he explored her mouth with his tongue. His erection poked against her leg as tingles of anticipation shot to her center. Talking time was just about over.

“Mmm” was all he said. He moved from her mouth to her neck and down to kiss the swell of her breasts. First one, then the other, before releasing the front clasp of her bra. His fingers tweaked her nipples until they were taut with anticipation.

“Nate,” she said breathlessly. “I still have my family home. It...it’s worth over three million. We can sell it.”

That seemed to have gotten his attention. He lifted his head to look at her with arched brows. He paused.

Rose stilled. Was he one of those guys intimidated by a woman with money? She held her breath.

“Wow,” was all he said before he lowered his head back down.

“Um, you don’t care?”

He laughed against her breast, nipping it lightly with his teeth before glancing back up at her.

“Babe, I don’t care if you’re broke or if you have millions. You’re all I care about.” His clear blue eyes grew stormy with emotion. “Only you, Rose. Nothing else matters.”

Rose gazed at the man she loved, and all her sorrows and fears faded away. “Good to know,” she said with a chuckle. “Now don’t let me disturb you from what you were doing.”

With a dark, sexy laugh, Nate once again lowered his head.