NAUGHTY BUT NICE Read online

  "That's good." She was shaking. Shaking.

  "It's your turn, Cassie," Stacie hissed.

  "Yeah." She took a deep breath. "Okay. Tag…"

  "Yes, that's his name," Kate said impatiently. "Damn it, Cassie, just tell him! You're killing us here."

  Tag nodded in agreement. "Killing us."

  God, he was adorable. How could a man be so hot, so sexy, so absolutely magnificent, and still be adorable? "I love you, Tag. I always will."

  "Well, then." His voice was suspiciously wobbly. "What do you say we kick everyone out of here, and…" Leaning forward he whispered a lovely, very wicked suggestion in her ear involving King-Size Kong Dildo and her desk.

  Even more wobbly now, she gestured behind her back for everyone to go, her eyes on Tag's as her heart rate kicked into gear. "Lock the door on your way out," she said to them and, with a grin, reached for Tag.

  * * *

  Epilogue

  «^

  One Year Later

  Cassie lifted her fingers to adjust the blindfold and felt a large, warm hand hold her back.

  "Don't touch it."

  Despite the warm night, she shivered at the rough whisper. "Then tell me where you're taking me."

  "You'll know it soon enough. Nervous, Cassie?" Her body was tingling in awareness. Not fear, but arousal. "No," she decided, and felt a stroke of work-roughened fingers over her jaw as a reward.

  "Almost there," Tag said, and tugged on her hand, making her stumble against him. Taking full advantage of that, his hands molded her body under the guise of supporting her. Her legs trembled—a direct result of his hands dallying on her breasts and between her thighs. Her surrendering sigh was swallowed by his mouth.

  Long moments passed until they both came up for air, panting like a pair of hormonal teenagers. Then Tag lifted her, carried her for a moment before setting her down.

  On sand.

  He pulled off the blindfold. She stood on the beach—their beach—by the lake, lit only by the barest of moons.

  "Today is exactly one year since you told everyone you were marrying me," he said, tugging her down, laying her back, towering over her as he covered her body with his. Gathering her hands in his, he lifted them over her head and held her still. "But since you haven't done that yet, I thought…"

  "You thought…" She was breathless already. And dying for him. She'd have imagined this would have gotten old after one long year together but they still came together every single night as if they couldn't get enough.

  She had the feeling she would never be able to get enough.

  "I thought it was time," he said. "To set a date." Her entire body, straining for release only a moment before, jerked with shock.

  Taking advantage of her pinned hands, he unbuttoned her sundress until she was bared to him. With a groan, he bent to a breast, worshipped a nipple.

  "How about Labor Day weekend? I have some time coming—"

  "Tag." Unable to think with his mouth on her, she bucked beneath him until he lifted his head. "Tag."

  "I know." He kissed her so gently, so tenderly on the mouth it brought tears to her eyes. "It seems silly to need the paper. But I do. I need it, Cassie." He stripped off his shirt, shoved down his jeans. Swept aside her panties.

  And entered her. Then went absolutely still as he stared down into her face with so much emotion, her throat closed. "I love you, Cassie. I always dreamed of this, of asking my fantasy woman to be mine forever—"

  "Don't tell me I'm your fantasy woman." She gasped when he stroked once, nearly begged for another one. "We … both know I'm not."

  "That's what makes this so perfect. You're better than my fantasy woman could ever be." He stroked again and they both let out a helpless hum. "Oh, yeah, so much better."

  "Tag…" To make sure he wouldn't stop again, she grabbed his butt and pulled him closer. "Keep going."

  "If you say it."

  "Tag…"

  "Say it."

  "Okay." Her eyes nearly drifted shut when he rewarded her with another thrust, but she forced them to stay open. She didn't want to miss this. "I never wanted anyone in my heart, but somehow you wormed your way— Ouch!" She laughed when he bit her lower lip. "Okay, I let you in. I wanted you in. I love you. And yes, it's time. I want to be your wife. Marry me, Tag."

  "Right now?"

  "Yes. But … finish me first!"

  His grin was full of both love and wickedness as he rubbed his jaw to hers. "As your heart desires."

  "My heart desires!"

  Beneath the stars and in tune to the lake's water gently hitting the shores at their feet, he did just that. Gave her everything her heart desired.

  * * * *