The Librarian Principle (45 page)
Read The Librarian Principle Online
Authors: Helena Hunting
“I thought eventually, maybe . . .”
He seemed to understand her need for reassurance. “Planned or not, Liese, I want this with you.”
“You do?”
“Of course. Why do you seem so surprised?” He knees pressed against the outside of her thighs.
“It’s so unexpected. I’ll have to take time off from my job, and you work such long hours.”
“I will make amendments to be here with you more, as much as you need me to be. I want to make a life with you, Liese, and if that includes children, it’s even better.”
“Really?”
“Really.” He smiled softly. “I’ll be forty this year. It’s about time I got you knocked up.”
Liese smacked his arm. “Oh, God. What are your parents going to say?”
“Giselle will probably have a coronary. Wouldn’t that be perfect?”
“Ryder!”
“It would solve so many problems.”
“She’s going to have a conniption,” Liese said. “Remember how upset she was when she found out you’d moved me in here?”
Ryder rolled his eyes. “I think we’re well beyond that mattering. She’ll get over it if she has any desire to spend time with her grandchild—under careful supervision.”
Liese bit the inside of her lip to stop her smile. Lord help them if it was a girl. “Still, I’m sure she’ll be upset that we’re going about this backward.”
“Hold that thought.” Ryder pushed his chair back and rushed from the kitchen.
Aside from his sudden and unexplained departure, the revelation had gone over much better than she’d anticipated. Ryder seemed genuinely excited.
He returned a minute later. Instead of sitting back down, he pushed his chair out of the way and rearranged hers.
“What are you—” Celebratory sex would be welcome. However, Liese wasn’t so sure she wanted to do it in a chair.
Ryder dropped to one knee. “I planned out a much more romantic venture for this, but in light of recent disclosures—” He produced a small velvet box from his pocket. Flipping the top open, he displayed a gorgeous white-gold ring inset with a ridiculously large diamond.
“Oh my God. Ryder! This is stunning, but you don’t need to—” She had to wonder how long he’d had it, and when he’d been planning to ask.
“You will be my wife before you’re the mother of my child—if that’s what you want, of course.”
“Are you asking or ordering?” Liese couldn’t contain her grin.
“Asking. Mostly.”
“In that case, I would love to be your wife. Mostly.”
“I haven’t even asked you officially yet, but that helps take the pressure off. Thanks.” His expression turned serious, and he cleared his throat. “Annaliese Harper, I adore you. Will you be my wife?”
“Yes. Please. I would love to.”
Ryder’s smile was heart-stopping as he slipped the ring on her finger.
“I think I like the way that looks on you, Mrs. Whitehall.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her finger just above the ring.
“Who said I was taking your last name?”
“Hyphenate?” Rising to his feet, he traced the contour of her jaw, the touch reverent. He stepped between her parted legs.
“We’ll talk about it.” Liese slipped his tie around her fist and pulled his mouth down to hers. “Later.”
“Bedroom?” Ryder asked against her parted lips.
“Are you asking or telling again, Mr. Whitehall?”
“Both.” Ryder dipped down. Slipping his hands under her ass, he encouraged Liese to wrap her legs around his waist. “Be aware, Mrs. Harper-Whitehall, being my wife isn’t going to make you exempt from spankings.”
“I’d hope not. Otherwise you can have the ring back.” The dark look in his eyes made her smile wider. “And I think I prefer Mrs. Whitehall.”
His smile widened, and then he grew wholly serious. “You can take whatever last name you want, just as long I get the most important part of you.”
Emotion overwhelmed her as she watched her future unfold in Ryder’s eyes. “And what part is that?”
He pressed a warm palm against her sternum and brushed his lips over hers. “Your heart.”
Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She is the author of Clipped Wings, her debut novel, and Inked Armor.
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