Hidden Pleasures - Brenda Jackson [65]
Brittany blinked. “But, if that was the case, then why did you still make me think I had to stay here for a week?”
He gave her an arrogant smile. “Because I wanted you in my bed. I’m a Steele.”
She just stood there and stared at him for a long moment and then a smile trembled on her lips. “Your conceit is showing again,” she pointed out.
“Sorry.”
“I’m not. I love you just the way you are. And I do love you, Galen. I was so afraid you couldn’t love me.”
Another smile touched his lips, this one filled with care, concern and sincerity. “You are an easy person to love, Brittany. If there is any way I could redo your childhood, I would. But I think you’re the person that you are because of it and the challenges you had to face,” he said, reaching out and caressing her cheek with his thumb.
“But for the rest of your days, I will make up for all the love you didn’t get. I will love you and honor you.”
“Oh, Galen.” Tears she couldn’t hold back streamed down her face.
It was then that Galen swept her off her feet and into his arms to carry her up the stairs. “I told my brothers how I felt about you that day they met you and advised my parents yesterday. Tonight they treated you just as they should have—as a person who will soon become an official member of our family.”
He looked down at her and paused on the stair. “Will you marry me?”
Brittany smiled up at him. “Yes! Yes, I will marry you.”
Galen grinned as he continued walking up the stairs to his bedroom. “Just so you’ll know, I’m having your ring specially designed by Zion.”
Brittany’s mouth dropped open. “I’m getting a ring by Zion?”
Galen threw his head back and laughed when he placed her on the bed. “Yes.” He knew any jewelry by Zion was the rave because Zion was the First Lady’s personal jeweler.
She beamed. “I feel special.”
“Always keep that thought, because you are.”
Galen glanced down at the woman he had placed on his bed. His soul mate. The woman he would love forever. The thought nearly overwhelmed him. “And just so you’ll know, I’ve cleared my work schedule. I’m going with you back to Tampa.”
Surprise lit her face. “You are?”
“Yes. I don’t intend to let you out of my sight.” He dipped his knee on the bed. “Now come here.” When she lifted a brow, he added, “Please.”
Brittany chuckled as she moved toward Galen and when he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her, she felt completely loved by the one man who had discovered all her hidden pleasures. “How could things be this way for us this soon?”
He understood her question and had a good reason for what probably seemed like madness. “My mother has always warned her sons that we’re like our father in a lot of ways,” he said. “We’re known to be skirt chasers until we meet the one woman who will claim our hearts. You are that woman for me, Brittany. I realized just how empty my life has been until this week while you were here with me. I love you.”
She fought back tears in her eyes when she said, “And I love you, too.”
And then Galen kissed her and she knew a lot of people would think their affair had been rather short, but she knew it had been just like it was meant to be. Now they would embark upon a life together filled with romance and passion.
Epilogue
Four months later
Galen glanced around the room at all the Steeles in attendance. The last time they’d all gotten together had been at Donovan’s wedding in New York. Now they’d all assembled here in Phoenix to watch the first of Drew’s boys take the plunge. And very happily, he might add.
Nikki