Remy chuckled at her, tweaking her nose. “You were always such a girl.”
She grinned, not denying it. “It’s a gorgeous ring, Remy.”
“I’m glad you like it. I can’t wait to put it on your finger.”
She held out a trembling hand.
“Ah, ah, ah,” he murmured. “Not so fast.”
“Don’t play with me, Rem.”
“I’m not. But you haven’t given me an answer yet.”
“Does it matter?” she teased. “You said you weren’t taking no for an answer.”
“I want to hear you say the word.” He held up the ring. “Do you want it?”
She gazed into his eyes. “Not as much as I want the man holding it.”
A look of tender euphoria swept over his face. “God, I love you,” he whispered.
“Ditto.” She paused. “And my answer is yes.”
“Yes?”
She smiled. “Yes.”
Tears misted her eyes as he slid the ring onto her finger. Then he hauled her into his arms, lifted her off the sand and spun her around. She laughed joyously, clinging to his neck as the ocean breeze danced through her hair.
Remy held on to her, his hands curving under her bottom as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Their lips met hotly, sealing the deal.
Even as the frothy waves washed over Remy’s feet, soaking the bottom of his pants, he didn’t stop kissing Zandra, didn’t release her mouth or uncurl his tongue from hers. As the kiss intensified, heat surged through her, hardening her nipples and dampening her panties beneath her sundress. She moaned with pleasure, tightening her thighs around him.
It was only when they heard whistles that they broke apart and glanced around to see a couple strolling past, grinning broadly at them.
“Go, Navy,” the man cheered encouragingly.
Remy laughed as Zandra blushed.
“I guess we should, ah, take this reunion inside the house,” she suggested.
Remy grinned. “Where is it?”
She pointed across the beach.
As he turned and started toward the white cottage, she marveled at the strength of his arms. She knew he could carry her up and down the entire length of the beach without ever faltering.
Smiling at the thought, she tenderly framed his face between her hands. He’d been a constant in her life, his role evolving over the years. Protector, hero, friend, lover. It was only natural that he now become her husband.
Glancing around the palm-fringed beach, she remembered, once again, that this was where it all began.
They’d come full circle.
“This is perfect,” Remy murmured, gazing around with the same sense of wonder she felt.
“Yes, it is,” she said softly. “It couldn’t be more perfect.”
“We should find a minister to marry us right here on the beach.”
Her pulse leaped. “Ooh, how romantic.”
“This week.”
“This week?”
“Why not? We’re both here.”
“That’s true,” Zandra smilingly agreed, fingering the gold rank insignia on his breast pocket, “but if we eloped and deprived your mother and Grandma Eleanor of planning our wedding, they’d kill us. And you know it.”
“Yeah, I know,” Remy grumbled. “Damn.”
Zandra laughed, leaning down to nip at his jaw. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t get married here. Just not this week.”
“Soon, though. I don’t want a long engagement. I’ve waited long enough.”
“Aye aye, sir.” Zandra smiled, nibbling his lower lip. “I’m coming off the Pill.”
He stared into her eyes. “You are?”
She nodded. “I want babies. Lots of them. Like your family.”
His gaze was fiercely tender. “Nothing would make me happier.”
“Good.” She smiled dreamily as he nuzzled her throat. “You’re going to teach them how to swim like you taught me—minus the taunting.”
He laughed. “Yes, ma’am. No taunting the tadpoles.”