Chapter 10
CHAPTER
TEN
Casey nestled into Max’s embrace, her head resting on his chest as they lay tangled together in the warmth of the morning.
The faint hum of the ceiling fan was the only sound in the room, but Casey didn’t mind the silence.
It was a rare moment of peace, and she relished the simple pleasure of being in Max’s arms.
It had been five months since Michael had tried to kill her and five months of recovery, both physically and mentally.
A month ago, she made the difficult decision to resign her commission in the Navy, accepting Tink’s more than generous offer to join his security firm as a doctor.
Max and she had discussed it thoroughly.
They both knew that working together could be tricky, but they also understood that their roles wouldn’t have them crossing paths too often.
If anything, Max seemed more excited about it than she was.
As she traced lazy circles on his chest, lost in her thoughts, Max suddenly rolled her onto her back, his strong, muscular body pressing against hers.
The playful glint in his eyes made her heart skip a beat, and she couldn’t help but laugh softly.
“You didn’t get enough last night?” she teased, her voice a sultry whisper.
Max grinned down at her, his fingers brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “I can never get enough of you, Case,” he murmured before lowering his head to kiss her neck, his lips trailing a path of fire down her skin.
Her body responded instantly, her libido igniting as his kisses grew more fervent.
She ran her hands over the broad expanse of his back, feeling his muscles jump beneath her fingertips.
“You’re insatiable,” she breathed, but there was no mistaking the desire in her voice.
She was just as eager as he was, her body arching into his touch.
“Can’t help it when I’ve got the most beautiful woman in the world in my bed,” Max whispered against her skin. He moved lower, kissing every inch of her body, making her squirm beneath him.
“Flatterer,” she moaned, but her breathless voice betrayed her.
She tugged him back up, capturing his lips in a heated kiss, their tongues dancing together in a familiar rhythm.
The teasing, the foreplay, it was all part of the dance they knew so well.
Each touch and caress built the tension between them until they couldn’t hold back any longer.
Their bodies moved together in perfect harmony, the world outside fading away as they lost themselves in each other. The pleasure was intense, consuming them both until they reached that blissful peak together.
Max stayed above her, his breathing heavy, his eyes locked onto hers.
There was something different in his gaze, a seriousness that made her heart skip a beat.
“Casey,” he began, his voice thick with emotion.
“I love you more than anything in this world. You’ve changed my life in ways I can’t even begin to describe, and I can’t imagine my future without you in it. ”
Casey felt tears welling up in her eyes, her heart swelling with the depth of his words. “Max...”
Before she could say anything more, he reached over to his nightstand and pulled out a small velvet box. Her breath caught in her throat as he opened it to reveal a stunning low-set bezel solitaire engagement ring.
“I chose this ring with you in mind,” Max explained, taking her hand in his. “I wanted something that would be perfect for you and fit your career and lifestyle. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Casey, will you marry me?”
The tears spilled over as she nodded, overwhelmed with joy. “Yes, Max. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Max slipped the ring onto her finger with a smile that could light up the darkest room.
It was perfect, just like he had said, and she was blown away by how much thought he had put into choosing it.
She admired the ring momentarily, then pulled him down for a deep, passionate kiss.
“I love you, Max, and I can’t wait to be your wife. ”
Max’s grin was wicked as he rolled them over, pulling her on top of him. “Then let’s celebrate, Mrs. soon-to-be Monroe,” he teased, his hands already wandering over her body.
Casey laughed, her heart soaring with happiness as she leaned down to kiss him again.
They had all the time in the world, and she intended to savor every moment with the man she loved.