Brand arrived at the luxury hotel. “They have your reservation at the front desk.”
Olivia climbed out. She hugged Brand, then waved good-bye before stepping into the lobby with Luke.
Check-in was speedy, and as soon as they were in their private suite, he took her in his arms, hugging her to him.
“Olivia. Oh Lord, Olivia. I love you so much. I never thought I could end up with a woman like you.”
“I’m the lucky one,” she said, raising her head so that their lips could meet. After a long, frantic kiss, she realized that there was no need for panic. They had all the time in the world to enjoy being alone together—without killers chasing them. And without the weight of Zabastian’s awful responsibility.
Luke lifted his head and grinned at her, and she knew he’d figured out the same thing.
“We’ve got a lifetime to love each other. Do you think you can stand being married to me for a hundred years?”
“That long?”
“I don’t know for sure.”
“But that was a marriage proposal—right?” she clarified.
“Right.”
She hugged him tightly, then felt overwhelmed again. She had Luke Garner—and Zabastian, too, the warrior who had changed her life and Luke’s. But she wasn’t just thinking about herself and the man in her arms.
“Suddenly, I have so much. Not just for us. I can make my mom’s life better, too.” She looked at Luke. “She’s going to love you—like the son she never had.”
“I hope I don’t disappoint her.”
“Never. She wanted me to marry a nice guy and settle down. And she’s going to appreciate all your good qualities. And bake cookies for you. And tell you all the family stories.” She laughed. “Over and over.”
Luke looked stunned. “You’re giving me more than I ever expected. After such a long time of loneliness.”
The words made her conscious again that Zabastian was still with them. Back in the tunnel, when she had asked him to stay in the background, he had resisted that request. She understood why.
He was a part of Luke now, and he always would be. Which was all right, because she knew the warrior had changed Luke in very fundamental ways. She had admired him before and been attracted to him. Now he had hidden qualities that he could draw on for the rest of his life.
“We have a lot to discuss—like where I’m going to have my shop. I assume we’re going to live closer to your office.” She paused. “I don’t even know where that is.”
“Beltsville. Not far from Laurel. That might be a good place for an antique shop.”
She nodded, thinking they didn’t need to discuss details now. Instead she gave him a teasing grin. “So what do you want to do first? Order hot chocolate from room service?”
He bent to nibble at her ear. “Maybe we can find out what the bedroom looks like before we get into food.”
“Good idea,” she answered, her heart singing as they walked through the door hand in hand.
THE END
