Steve took Daisy’s hand. Their eyes caught and held. His fingers were warm and firm as they wrapped around hers. His voice was soft with a hint of the devil in it as he asked, “Will you accept this ring as a symbol of our engagement?”

Daisy swallowed loud enough for it to be heard all the way to the kitchen. It was the largest diamond she’d ever seen, set into an exquisite gold filigree setting. She stared awestruck at the ring and ruefully admitted that her psych professors would have a field day interpreting her reasons for placing herself in this predicament.

Steve gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and she realized everyone was waiting for her answer. She nodded yes because she didn’t trust her voice. He slid the ring onto her finger, and her eyes misted over. It was a perfect fit.

She looked up and gave Maria Crow a shaky smile. “It’s lovely. Thank you.”

Later when they were alone in the kitchen assembling the brownies, Steve caught Daisy’s hand and studied the ring. “Ordinarily when a woman becomes engaged it’s with the intention of getting married.”

“Ordinarily.”

“Maybe I should set the date when we go back to the table. Or better yet, maybe we should just go out and get married while my parents are in town.”

Her eyes widened in alarm. “You wouldn’t dare suggest such a thing. That would be so rotten!”

He took a brownie from the fancy glass dish and nibbled on it. “I’d suggest it in a heartbeat. I’m not necessarily averse to being rotten and sneaky if the cause is just.”

“I’m going to keep that in mind.”

He trapped her against a counter and kissed her. “Live in fear. I’m a desperate man.”

“You’d better be careful. I have a bodyguard.”

“You forget, I pay her salary.” He lowered his mouth to hers and his thumb inched across her rib cage until it was firmly pressed into the soft flesh of her breast.

“Is this an example of your sneakiness?” she whispered against his lips.

He feigned indignant ignorance. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You know very well. I’m talking about your thumb.”

“Oh, that.” The thumb lazily drew erotic circles. “Mmmm, I suppose my thumb is a little sneaky.” He kissed her slowly and deeply while his fingers continued to massage. He watched her eyes drop closed, felt her body go pliant in his arms. “Do you remember the kitchen table?” he asked, his words raspy against the shell of her ear.

She gave an involuntary shudder. Yes, she definitely remembered the kitchen table. She would remember it in excruciatingly delicious detail for the rest of her life.

“The kitchen table was just a warm-up. Someday when you’re least expecting it I’m going to make love to you…on the ironing board.”

Her eyes flew open.