‘Can’t argue with that.’ As his head came down closer and closer to hers a familiar tension wound through her, a hot tautness that had everything to do with recognition. Her body knew this man. A kiss wasn’t going to change a thing. But, still, a girl had to kiss her man when he came home, didn’t she?
Then Marshall pulled back. His steady gaze locked with hers. ‘This is for ever, Charlie. I’ve left the army, packed up my few belongings and shipped them out here. I’ve even made enquiries about registering with the New Zealand Medical Council.’
Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth, preventing her saying anything, so she nodded, waiting for him to go on.
‘It isn’t going to be easy. I’ve never stopped in one place long enough to see two Christmases in a row. I don’t know what it’s like to treat the same patients month in, month out, to become involved with them and their families.’ He sucked in air. ‘And I certainly have no idea about living in a loving family. But I want to give it my absolute best shot.’
‘Then it will work out just fine.’
> ‘You know I love you, don’t you?’ A hint of uncertainty underscored his question.
Tapping her chest, she smiled. ‘Right in here I feel your love all the time.’ Reaching up on tiptoe again, she said against his mouth, ‘And now for that kiss.’
His lips brushed hers and then he pulled back again. ‘One more thing.’ This was getting to be an annoying habit of his.
She gave him a mock glare. ‘This had better be good, Marshall Hunter. A girl can only wait so long for a kiss.’
His mouth twitched like he was holding in a laugh. ‘You’ll get all the kisses you want once you answer my next question.’ Juggling Aimee on his hip, he used his other hand to brush a strand of hair off her cheek. ‘Charlotte Lang, will you marry me, be my lifelong partner and keep me grounded? Share the raising of our daughter with me?’
Doubt suddenly rose in her, dwarfing the hope in her heart. ‘What about having more children?’ His frown creased his forehead and when his mouth opened to answer her she raced on. ‘I can’t have any more babies. Ever. Have you thought about that?’
The frown disappeared, and his gorgeous mouth curved into a sensational, toe-curling smile. ‘Babe, you and Aimee are all I need. You’ll both be running rings around me as it is. I don’t need any other children to make me happy. I’ve already got everything I could ever want.’
For the life of her she couldn’t move. Her legs had turned all jellylike and her body felt weightless. Warmth flowed through her, touching every corner, knocking out the chills. Marshall wanted her, wanted to be with her, for ever.
‘In case your hearing has got bad these past weeks, I’ll repeat myself. Charlie Lang, will you do me the honour of marrying me?’
Whipping her hand out from his fingers, she gripped his arm and held on. Marry Marshall? ‘Yes, yes, yes, and yes.’ He had asked four things of her, hadn’t he? ‘Yes, Marshall, my love and my lover and the father of my child, I will become Mrs Charlie Hunter.’ Stretching up, she begged, ‘Now can I have that kiss?’
Some kisses were made in heaven. This one had been brewing since the day they’d met in the ED in Honolulu, and had only just reached its full potential. It had the right blend of love and desire and commitment and dedication. It spoke of their future—together. It was all about love.