The Spy (King’s Security #3)

Epilogue – Two Years Later

FIONA

“This is how your first yacht experience should have gone,” Zeke said as he hand-fed me a plump green grape.

I bit into it, relishing the pop of tartness followed by the sweet. The sun beamed down on us, and I closed my eyes and soaked it up.

“I happen to think our first yacht experience was quite memorable,” I told him. “That said, being able to lounge around without having to jump over the side and swim to safety in the middle of the night definitely has its perks.”

He took off the captain’s hat we’d bought at a costume store prior to boarding and positioned it against the top of my head. It was nearly two years after that fateful evening on the Claudette and Zeke had decided I deserved an afternoon of being wooed on Lake Michigan, just us and the yacht’s owner, who was giving us plenty of space. I’d happily gone along with the plan, and I’d added my own little twist, which I’d be surprising him with soon. Zeke had turned out to be quite the romantic. It had taken some getting used to, especially after my rocky history with Bergen, but I loved how special he made me feel. It was hard to believe I’d ever thought he was anything like my ex.

“I think you need more sunscreen,” he said gruffly.

I grinned. “You just want an excuse to put your hands on me.”

“Guilty.”

I sat up and pulled the captain’s hat more firmly into place. I was wearing a bikini, and even though I was dry, I wrapped a towel around my waist. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

“But Fi,” he protested. “I wanted you to take clothes off, not put them on.”

My smile grew. He had no idea what was coming. Trying to get something past a former spy was a mission, but he’d done so much for me, and it was my turn to surprise him. “Don’t worry, I’m not getting dressed. Stay right here.”

I made my way into the small cabin, where the yacht’s owner sat behind the wheel.

“Is it time?” he asked.

I nodded. “Where are they?”

“In the chiller under the drinks fridge.”

“Thanks.” I bent and removed the two desserts—chocolate lava cake, because it turned out Zeke was a chocolate fiend—from the chiller and sat them on a silver platter. Carefully, I positioned two champagne flutes beside them and collected the champagne on ice. I slipped one last item into my hand and made my way back out onto the deck.

“What’s this?” Zeke asked as I approached.

“Dessert.” I placed the platter on the bench.

He winked. “I thought you were dessert.”

My heart skipped. All things going according to plan, I would be. “You can have me later.”

He leaned over and kissed me. “I’ll hold you to that. ”

I poured champagne into the flutes and raised mine. My heart hammered in my chest, and the item still clasped in my left hand slipped as my palm grew sweaty. I tightened my grip on it.

“I propose a toast,” I said.

He cocked his head curiously but raised his own glass too. “What are we toasting to?”

I inhaled slowly and gathered my courage. “Let’s toast to a long life, a loving relationship, and a strong marriage.”

We clinked glasses before he had time to process my words.

His brow furrowed. “What?”

I put my glass down, my hands trembling, and showed him the ring box. I popped the lid open and offered it to him. “I love you, Zeke. You make me laugh, and smile, and you showed me how to embrace life again. Will you marry me?”

His eyes soft, he gazed at me. “Only if,” he reached into the pocket of his board shorts and pulled out a matching box, “you’ll marry me too.”

My jaw dropped, and I gaped at him. “You what?”

He grinned, his joy infectious. “Yes, I’ll marry you. Make me the happiest man and marry me too.”

I passed him his ring box and took the other, opening it to gaze in awe at the pale pink diamond nestled inside. The ring was elegant but modern, and very feminine. It was exactly something I would have chosen.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, slowly raising my eyes to his. “You were going to propose today?”

He did that half-smirk thing that drove me crazy, but that I secretly loved. “It seemed only polite to have a ring for you since you planned to give one to me.”

I stared. “You knew?”

“Yup. ”

“But how?”

He mimed zipping his lips. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”

A laugh burst from me, and I grabbed his face and planted a kiss on him. “Yes, you ridiculous man. I would love to marry you.” I slid the ring onto my finger and sighed as the diamond glittered in the sunlight. “I can’t believe you knew! I was so sure I’d finally managed to keep something from you.”

Amusement gleamed in his eyes. “I always know everything, Fi. But you wouldn’t have me any other way.”

I sighed and flopped onto the seat beside him. It was true. Zeke Watts would exasperate me until my dying day, and that was exactly how I liked it.

THE END