“Fuck no,” he said, suddenly desperate for her to understand. “I expressed some of how I felt but not everything. You know I’m not an open, talkative person. I wasn’t going to call Sebastian and gush over the fact that I fell in love with you!” he said, raising his voice.

“You what?” Her voice grew soft, her tone surprised.

He stood and fished the ring out of his pocket, then knelt down beside the edge of the bed. “I fell in love with you, Sienna Dare. I wasn’t prepared for you. You got under my skin, ripped away all my preconceived notions of what I wanted out of life, and I can’t imagine living without you.”

She ran her tongue over her lips. “Why didn’t you say anything?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Because I didn’t want to make you choose between Miami and your life and family … and me. And I think a part of me was petrified you’d turn me down.”

She shook her head hard. “Never,” she whispered.

“In case you’re worried I feel pressured into this or stuck, you should know that I don’t. I’m desperate to make you my wife.”

He held out the ring he’d picked out, having called her mother and asked for a guesstimation of Sienna’s ring size.

Once he decided to ask her, he wanted his ring on her finger the minute she said yes.

The three-carat emerald-cut stone with tiny individual halo diamonds surrounding it and covering the band glittered in his hand. “Sienna, will you marry me? Be my better half for the rest of my life? For better, for worse, in sickness and in health … and in New York,” he added for ultimate clarification.

She laughed, tears streaming from her eyes as she said, “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you.”

He slipped the ring onto her finger, pleased it fit and she could wear it from now on. Then he leaned in and pressed his mouth against hers, tasting the salt on her lips and drinking in her sweet essence.

“Knock knock.” Sebastian walked into the room. “Sorry to interrupt but I couldn’t stand it a second longer. I’m so damned sorry. I didn’t know you were home when I spoke–”

“Why don’t you quit while you’re ahead,” Sienna suggested, laughing and holding out her now ringed hand. “Especially since we’re going to be related.”

God, Ethan loved this woman and her easygoing approach to life. She rolled with the punches, something she’d need if she was going to be married to him. And have his kids.

“I want more than one kid,” he heard himself say. Unplanned and taking him off guard.

She grinned. “Good because so do I.”

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?” Sebastian asked.

“Yes,” Sienna said.

“Now get the hell out.” Ethan waved his brother away.

Taking the hint, Sebastian stepped out and pulled the door closed behind him.

* * *

“Mind if I get up?” Ethan asked from his kneeling position. “My knees are cramping.” He rose and climbed into bed with her, pulling her into his arms. “I love you. I just wish I’d said it before and more often.”