Stormbound with a Tycoon (17 page)

“Oh, Dylan…you don't know how much I've wanted to hear that. I love you, too. I don't know how or when it happened.” An almost shy smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “It might even have started when I was fifteen years old…but I know it's true.” Her tears finally overflowed the brims of her eyes and trickled down her cheeks.

He wanted to say something, but an emotional lump caught in his throat and he couldn't get the words out. He kissed the tears away, tasting the saltiness. “I couldn't have done this when you were fifteen years old.” He wrapped his arms securely around her. He caressed her shoulders and back, allowing the deep feelings of love to flow through his veins.

“You haven't given me an answer to my proposal yet.”

“Are you sure you want to trade in your old life for a commitment of this type? Are you sure you won't find settling down to one place…and
one
woman…a little boring after all your exciting adventures?”

“There's nothing out there that could possibly be more exciting or fulfilling than waking up each morning and knowing that I'll find you next to me and that
it will be that way for the rest of our lives. I now know exactly what I want out of life. I want you to marry me. I'll gladly give up who I was in exchange for who I could be—a husband and eventually a father. I want us to be a real family and have a real home.” He kissed her tenderly on the lips as he pulled her body tightly against his.

“A home and a family…fatherhood,” she said, easing out of his embrace. She had to tell him, he had to know the possibilities before she could give him an answer.

He looked at her quizzically. “Is there a problem?”

“Well, there could be. Maybe…I'm not sure.”

Panic darted across his face as he reached out for her, his voice filled with urgency. “What is it? What's wrong?”

“It's probably nothing. It's just that, uh, the last night we made love at the cabin…well, if you recall, it seems that passion got the better of good sense. We didn't take any precautions.” She took a calming breath and closed her eyes. “What I'm trying to say is that there's a possibility I could be pregnant. I'm probably not, but it's possible…”

He threaded his fingers through her hair and cradled her head against his shoulder. “And if you are, it will only mean that we'll be starting our family a little sooner than we thought. I'll have two people to love rather than just one.”

He reached in his pocket and withdrew the small velvet box. He opened it, took out the diamond ring and placed it on her finger. “Marry me, Jessica.”

Her hand trembled as she stared at the ring. Her words were a hushed whisper. “It's beautiful.” She had never been happier than she was at that moment.
She looked up at him, at the hope that covered his features and the love that glowed in his eyes. “Yes, I'll be honored to marry you.”

The immensity of the moment settled over them as they held each other, allowing their love to fill their hearts.

“J
essica?” Dylan stared at the little blue-wrapped bundle cradled in his arms, a look of stark terror on his face. “He's crying.”

“Yes, I can hear him.” Jessica uttered the words in a calm tone, meant to soothe jangled nerves. She sat in the large rocker holding the tiny pink-wrapped bundle in her arms. “Since he's already been fed, he probably needs a diaper change.”

Dylan looked at her, a hopeful expression crossing his face. He took a couple of steps in her direction. “Do you think maybe…”

She looked down at their daughter contentedly nursing, then back at Dylan. “I don't think you're equipped to take over here, but I'm sure you can handle a diaper change without any problems.”

“Yes, of course.” He set his jaw in a hard line of determination and turned toward the nursery. “I can
do this. There won't be any problems. I can handle this.”

Jessica smiled sweetly. “Of course you can, dear.”

The love she felt for Dylan swelled in her heart as she watched him carry their son into the nursery. She hadn't been sure exactly how he would adjust to instant fatherhood when it was confirmed that she was pregnant, and it had come as quite a shock to both of them when they found out she was carrying twins.

But now she knew. He was going to be a terrific father, just as soon as he got over being frightened of the noisy but helpless little lives they held in their arms. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, allowing the contented feeling to settle over her.

“He's changed and in bed.”

She opened her eyes and found Dylan kneeling next to her. He placed a tender kiss on her forehead.

“I love you, Mrs. Russell. I love you very much.”