Melody of the Heart (Runaway Train, #4)

I was halfway in between consciousness and sleep when the hotel curtains were unceremoniously shoved aside and intense desert sunlight streamed into the room.

With a groan, I rolled over onto my stomach, burying my face in the pillow. “It can’t be morning already,” I muttered.

The bed dipped as Brayden came to sit down. “I forgot how much you weren’t a morning person.”

“It’s not just that.” Turning my head on the pillow, I peered up at him. “I only have today left with you before I have to leave.”

Brayden’s amused expression faded. Scratching the back of his head, he asked, “Can’t you take another week off from school?”

“I could, but I probably shouldn’t.” I reached out to cup his cheek. “I wish I could stay in this hotel room with you for forever.”

He brought his hand up to cover mine. “I really don’t want you to go, Lily.”

“You’re not making this any easier.”

His expression darkened. “How the hell am I supposed to act? I just got you back. I don’t want to lose you again.”

Rising up on my elbows, I leaned over to kiss his lips. “You’re not going to lose me. Just because I have to go back home, I’ll still be right here.” I touched the bare skin over his heart.

“That’s not good enough,” he whispered.

“What do you mean?”

Burning intensity shone in Brayden’s eyes. “Marry me.”

My heart fluttered at his words, but I tried my best to keep calm. We’d just reconnected after almost a year apart. Everything seemed to be happening at warped speed. “You know, I’m having an odd sense of Deja vu,” I teased, trying to lighten the moment.

Brayden smacked my ass playfully. “I’m serious, Lily.”

“How was I to know that? Besides, you’re not treating this seriously since you just smacked me.”

“Do you want me to get down on my knee again because I will? I’ll do anything in the fucking world you want me to if you’ll just be my wife.”

His words and his earnest tone sent tears springing to my eyes. “Oh Brayden.”

“Is that a yes?”

I nodded my head emphatically as I swiped the moisture from my cheeks. “Yes, I want to marry you, too.” I leaned over to bestow a soft kiss on his lips. “I really never stopped wanting to be your wife. At least the wife of the person you once were.” Leaning my forehead against his, I said, “Thank God, that man is back.”

“I promise you he’s never, ever going to leave you again.”

“I believe you. I really do.”

Jerking on my arm, Brayden tried to pull me out of the bed. “Let’s go tell the guys the good news.”

“Um, have you forgotten you’re naked?”

He gave me a sheepish grin. “Okay, let’s go shower together, get dressed, and then we’ll tell the guys. After that, we’ll go ring shopping. I don’t want you leaving Vegas without us making it official.”

I laughed. “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I am. We’re getting married, and the sooner the better.”

“I like that idea a lot.”

“Then let’s get going.”

“I can’t help but point out that I don’t think the guys are going to be as excited as you are about us getting married. Well, AJ and Rhys will be happy for us, but I doubt Jake will.”

Brayden appeared contemplative. “He might surprise you and come around.”

“Really?”

He nodded.

The more I thought about Jake, the more a thought began to roll through my mind. “Let me talk to him first.”

Brayden’s brows shot far up into his hairline. “Are you insane? You think I’m going to leave you alone in a room with Jake after you slapped him?”

“I can keep my cool.” Leaning up, I gave him a reassuring kiss. “Trust me.”

He rubbed the stubble on his jaw before he finally nodded his head in agreement. “Okay. But I’ll be right outside the door if you need me…or if Jake needs me”

I grinned. “I can handle that.”

Brayden then dragged me into the bathroom. After our shower that got way hotter than the scalding water, I slipped into one of the nicer dresses I’d brought with me before sliding into my black knee boots. It wasn’t that I was dressing up for my talk with Jake, but more about the fact, I didn’t want to look homeless when Brayden took me ring shopping.

When I came out of our bedroom, I found AJ and Rhys lounging around on the couch and loveseat. At the sight of me, AJ gave me a beaming smile. “Oh good, you’re up. I’m starving.”

I couldn’t help laughing at him. “Then I hope you know the number for room service.”

He gave me his best puppy dog expression. “But no one cooks pancakes like you, Lils.”

“While incredibly flattered, I’m going to have to pass today.” Glancing around the room, I then asked, “Where’s Jake?”

Rhys snorted. “Toning his masterful physique down in the gym.”

“Thanks.”