Harper closed her eyes and licked her lips. “No, I’m not,” she said, looking back up at him. “I’m the woman who is a poor judge of character.”
“No, you aren’t.” He tipped her head so he could focus on her and she had no choice but to hold his gaze. “You’re the woman who is loving, trusting, caring, loyal. You demand those same things in return, which you should. You’re not at fault here. But I do love you. I know you might not be ready for that yet, but I’m giving you all the time you need. Just...don’t give up on us.”
Harper smiled. “I love you, too.”
Ethan had never heard sweeter words. He didn’t deserve her affection or honest emotions, but that was his Harper. She didn’t hide her thoughts or feelings.
“I want to try to make this work,” she went on. “I feel like everything was so rushed. Maybe we could take our time, truly get to know each other more and dedicate each day to growing together.”
Ethan couldn’t hide his smile. “I’d love that.”
Harper went up on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Don’t hurt me again.”
Smoothing his hands up and down her back, Ethan shook his head. “Never. I promise to always be honest with you, and we can face whatever obstacles the future holds together.”
“That’s all I ask,” she told him. “I hope you don’t care I invited your brother and Stella to stay in the penthouse. It wasn’t technically mine, so...”
Ethan slid his lips over her mouth then eased back and rested his forehead against hers.
“I want you to share everything with me,” he told her. “I can’t wait for you to get to know Dane. We’re all starting a new chapter.”
“Does this mean we’ll be going to Montana to visit?”
Ethan shuddered. “Cold weather? Maybe we could go in the summer.”
Harper threaded her fingers through his hair and laughed. “I’d love to see it. I’ve never been there, and I hear it’s gorgeous.”
“In the summer,” he repeated.
“Fine,” she conceded. “A summer visit. Should we go back up to the room and visit with our guests?”
Ethan took a step back, took the sandals from her hand and laced his fingers in hers. “Is that what you want?”
Harper smiled and nodded.
They started up the near empty beach. It was getting later in the evening, and most people were at dinner or getting ready for the free entertainment in one of the resort’s nightclubs or theater.
“I want that sense of family,” she told him. “I feel like I’m getting a second chance at having a sister and the life I’ve always wanted.”
“I’ll give you anything you want,” he told her as he guided her to the steps leading to the open lobby. “But I have one request.”
She stopped and turned to face him. “What’s that?”
Ethan slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out the ring. He’d never been so nervous, because he actually wanted this more than anything. He wasn’t using the proposal as a ploy or any other reason than the fact he just wanted her in his life forever.
Harper’s gaze landed on the ring, and Ethan wasted no time in dropping to one knee. He’d cheated her out of a real proposal before—he wasn’t going to do that again. She deserved everything she’d ever dreamed of or desired.
“Harper, will you marry me?” he asked. “Have my children and grow empires with me?”
With tears in her eyes, Harper nodded her head yes and reached for the ring. “I know I said I wanted to take things slow, but I still want to marry you. I just want some time before we say ‘I do.’”
Ethan came to his feet and wrapped his arms around her waist. He lifted her up and smacked a kiss on her lips.
“I don’t care how long you want to wait,” he told her. “Just say you’ll always be mine and forgive me when I do stupid things.”
“Done,” she told him. “Now let’s get upstairs and celebrate with your family.”
“Our family.”