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“Are you still here?”

She laughed at him. “Of course, you know you could move in tomorrow when you get out of here. Graeme doesn’t care about––”

“He’s getting money,” Deacon assured her before slipping a hand around the side of my neck. “I want a proper kiss now. I saved you. I should be rewarded.”

Bending close, I whispered how much I loved him.

“Yes, I know,” he grumbled as he eased me down to him.

Gigi chuckled as I kissed him.

His hands on my face were gentle, even though the hold was firm as he kissed me hard but without tongue, even though I whined a bit.

“This is not a floor show,” he scolded me, glaring. “My cousin doesn’t want to see me maul you.”

“I wouldn’t mind,” she said with a cackle.

“Perv,” he told her. Then his eyes met mine and I saw how fixed his stare was.

“Are you all right?”

“I love you,” he muttered softly, “I want you to know that.”

I sighed heavily. “I love you too.”

“Yes, I’m aware. It’s important that we’re on the same page. I want to get married at Graeme’s house. I want Gigi to be my best man, and I want to do it soon, so you should wrap your brain around that and get your folks here if they wanna see you tie the knot. I’m not waiting. I want a ring on your finger. I have it in my safety-deposit box at the bank.”

“You got me a ring?”

He appeared stunned. “Of course I got you a—why wouldn’t I?”

“Tell me.”

“I might’ve picked it out after the first time I saw you.”

I could not contain my gasp. “Deacon.”

“I went to see Graeme’s jeweler—I don’t even know why—but there was this antique Asscher-cut diamond set in platinum with these square-cut diamonds on each side, and I knew it was supposed to be yours.”

“Oh, Deacon…” And there were the tears.

“So yeah, I’ll get it tomorrow once they let me outta here and––”

“Look out,” Gigi ordered, and I moved so she could hurl herself down into his arms.

“Owww,” he complained loudly, glaring at her. “I’m in the hospital, for heaven’s sake. You’re not supposed to be banging me around.”

She squeezed him tight as he groused some more, but I saw his smile even if she didn’t. When he looked at me, I wiped away my tears.

“You’re gonna like the ring,” he promised me over her shoulder.

“I’ll love the ring because you got it for me,” I whispered, my voice iffy at the moment.

“Yeah, but also it’s beautiful. Almost as beautiful as you.”

“Move.” It was my turn to order Gigi out of the way. She scrambled off him as I took her place, climbing onto the bed, which was thankfully oversized, and wrapped myself around him.

When he clutched me tight, I nearly purred, feeling the power in his body.