Dawn Endeavor 4: Gunnar's Game (20 page)

“Here we go,” Morgan muttered.

“Gunnar.” Ava flushed. “Do you have to make fun?”

“Shush, Ava. Let him.” Alicia's eyes sparkled. The blasted woman knew he was about to make a fool of himself, and of course, she encouraged it.

Jules smiled. “Man, you are so purple.” Meaning Tersch's aura was violet, the color of love.

“Shut up.” He stood. He wiped his hands on his jeans, wishing he'd thought to do this in private. But he wanted everyone to know how much Ava meant to him.

He turned to his mate and took the small box from his pocket, pleased when her eyes narrowed on the box, then widened. “I've loved Ava from the moment I first saw her. Those big hazel eyes, that beautiful face, that rockin' body.”

“Amen,” Fallon murmured and had Olivia socking him in the gut with her elbow.

“Shh.”

Tersch watched his mate's eyes soften and tear up. Her great big green eyes.

The woman was a sucker for romance. Something he'd keep in mind. Encouraged, he opened the box and held it to her. “You've made my life complete, Ava. I love you more than life itself.” He glanced at Kisho, who mouthed his next line. Thank God they had a poet in residence. “Without you, I'm less than nothing. But with you, I'm right. Will you marry me?”

Ava wiped her eyes. “You were supposed to say, 'But with you, I'm right where I need to be.' Then the 'will you marry me' part.” The woman must have seen his crib sheet. Shit.

“Well? Yes or no, woman?” he growled.

She smiled, her expression so brilliant, it was like looking into the sun. “I love you right back, you big Viking berserker. And I'm pregnant, so you have to marry me. Now tell me again you love me and put this ring on.” Everyone cheered. Champagne corks suddenly burst, and laughter abounded.

Tersch had eyes only for his mate. “Baby?” he croaked.

“Yeah. I think she's going to be a handful.” Ava put his hand on her stomach.

“God, I love you. And before you say a thing, I won our little game.”

“Oh?” She stretched out her finger for the full-carat marquise diamond he put on her finger. A perfect fit.

“Yeah. Knocked up and engaged, and I didn't even have to beg.” She gave him a mock frown, which she ruined when she smiled. “We aren't married yet.” She tugged him closer and whispered, “And until I see a little man-on-man action, I'm not using the cuffs.”

He blushed; he could feel it. Especially when Morgan smiled at him from across the table with a sly look. He whispered back, “Ava. Come on, baby. Not him.”

“Four on one. That includes him. And then maybe I'll consider some girl-on-girl.”

“Really?” Hope filled him. Hope for the future, for his new family, and for the happiness he could feel filling him, his beast, and his crazy berserker.

“Girl-on-girl porn, that is.” She snickered and fell into his arms.

And Frederik Gunnar Tersch conceded. Ava had won her little game. And by God, he'd play with her for the rest of their blessed lives.

Marie Harte is an avid reader who loves all things paranormal and futuristic, but especially all things romance. Reading romances since she was twelve, she fell in love with the warmth of first passion and knew writing was her calling. Twenty-three years later, the Marine Corps, a foray through Information Technology, a husband and four kids, and her dream has finally come true. Marie lives in Georgia with her family and loves hearing from readers.

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