Confusion mixed with disappointment fills his green-blue gaze as he studies my face in the soft glow of the deck lights. When he continues, his voice is softer but no less intense. “You’re waiting for marriage.”
It’s not a question, and the certainty in his voice makes me blink. “What? No, I’m—”
“Then marry me.”
My head snaps back, and I lose my balance again in these damn heels.
“I’m sorry, what?” I scramble to steady myself, to right my world back on its north-south axis.
His hands tighten on me. “You okay, there?”
“Yeah, I just thought you suggested I marry you but—“
“I did. Marry me,” he repeats, his hands framing my face. “And not just so I can take you back to my hotel, though believe me, that would be the cherry on top. But because I’ve never felt so sure about anything in my life. Besides golf, of course.”
Before I can process what’s happening, he’s scanning the deck. “We’re in international waters, right? There’s got to be a captain, around here somewhere, certified to perform wedding ceremonies. I just need some flowers—” He snaps his fingers and points toward the proposal table. “Perfect. Do you like roses?”
“Hays, wait.” I grab his arm before he can steal the happy couple’s flowers. “Roses are overdone, but that’s beside the point. You can’t propose tonight. This is your brother’s moment. He just got engaged, remember? If you get married on the same boat, less than an hour later, you’ll completely steal his thunder.” Among a million other reasons this won’t happen.
“Sean won’t mind,” he says without hesitation, that confident grin never wavering. “Trust me, he’s so wrapped up in Nicoleright now, he probably wouldn’t notice if I jumped overboard naked. Besides, he’d be the first one to tell me not to let you get away.”
“But—”
“Leah,” he says, his voice gentle but determined, “my brother has been dating Nicole for three years and planning this proposal for four months. He’s never moved as fast as I have. Trust me, he’d understand.”
I grab his arm before he can snap up the roses. “Hays, you’re insane.”
He spins back, flashing that devastating smile and those dimples that seem to short circuit my brainwaves. “I prefer decisive.”
“You’ve known me less than three hours!”
“And the boat will dock soon, so the clock is ticking, love.”
Love?
“Plus, when you know, you know,” he says without missing a beat. “I mean, think about it logically—”
“There is nothing logical about this!”
“We already established how much we have in common.”
I stare at him, torn between laughing and ripping off my heels so I can bolt. “That’s… That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. All we concluded is, we both like solo pursuits and are good kissers.”
“So you do think I’m a good kisser.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes heavenward. “Don’t pretend like you need me to confirm what you already know.”
“You’re right, I don’t, but coming from you, that’s like having my swing analyzed and being told it’s perfect. You don’t hand out praise lightly, do you, sweetheart?”
“No,” I admit, debating how to get this conversation back on track.
“And wouldn’t you say that’s a pretty solid foundation? After all, the best partnerships start with two people who know how to handle themselves solo…and who can really bring their A-game when they’re together.”
I smack my forehead because I’m at a loss for what to do with this crazy spontaneous man. “Things like this don’t happen in real life with people who’ve just met on a sunset dinner cruise! I mean, sure, in fiction, maybe…”
I trail off because I can’t help remembering a romance I devoured in one sitting last summer, completely swooning over the instalove premise. But that was back when I still thought I’d found a guy who was likely to be around for the long haul.
“Come on,” Hays says, drawing back my attention. “When’s the last time you did something just because?”
