He flashes me a wide, sexy smile that’s just a little sheepish. “Natasha Black,” he says, taking the ring from my palm. “Will you marry me?”

I laugh with delight, and I’m pretty sure my heart has skipped a beat or two. “Yes,” I say. “Oh, yes, Riley. Of course, yes.”

He slides the ring onto my finger, then kisses me in a way that makes clear I belong to him. As if I had any doubt at all.

When we break apart, I sigh happily then tug his hand so that we both drop down to sit on the edge of the bed. “Why China?” I ask as I gaze into the fire of my engagement ring.

“I wanted to go someplace exotic,” he says. “And where we could get completely lost together. What better place than somewhere we don’t speak the language?” His brow furrows. “You don’t speak Chinese, do you?”

I laugh. “No. And if the idea is to get lost with you, I have absolutely no motivation to learn it.”

“Good.” He brushes a strand of hair off my face. “Shame on you for thinking I’d leave you alone on your vacation.” Mischief twinkles in his eyes. “I really should punish you for that.”

“Absolutely you should,” I say, pulling him down on top of me. “Spank me. Tease me. Punish me. And then make love to me. Slowly, please. And very thoroughly.”

“Sweetheart, I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.” He cups my face and looks into my eyes with so much intensity I almost can’t bear the passion I see there. “Nothing except marry you, and I’m already planning to do that soon.”

“Yes,” I say, hooking an arm around his neck and pulling him close, craving the feel of him against me, inside me. “Yes,” I repeat before I lose myself in the magic of his touch. “You absolutely are.”

THE END

I’m so grateful to Lexi Blake for letting my play in the world of McKay-Taggart, and I was sold on the concept from the moment Lexi told me about her vision of a superhero universe, where characters from one world crossover into another. I’ve always known Lexi was freaking brilliant, and I think this project just sealed the deal for me. Not to mention the bonus of being part of a collection with some of my favorite authors and friends!

I love Riley and Natasha, and have since the moment they popped onto the page in Wicked Dirty. I hope you love them, too!

XXOO

JK

Sign up for the 1001 Dark Nights Newsletter

and be entered to win a Tiffany Lock necklace.

There's a contest every quarter!

Click here to subscribe.

As a bonus, all subscribers will receive a free copy of

Discovery Bundle Three

Featuring stories by

Sidney Bristol, Darcy Burke, T. Gephart

Stacey Kennedy, Adriana Locke

JB Salsbury, and Erika Wilde

Discover the Lexi Blake Crossover Collection