It had been a week since Josh professed his love to Becca, but it felt like it had been so much longer. He hadn’t wasted any time asking her to move into his yacht, but being the independent woman she was, Becca had insisted on Josh giving his request some time. She didn’t want to impose on his personal space so quickly. But if he had his way, she’d never go a day without knowing he thought no space was good space when it didn’t include Becca Wright.
He was glad that he’d listened to Becca and thought more about the situation with Ashton. When he’d contacted Daniel and told him about his plans to not ambush Ashton, but instead get more information and approach him man-to-man, Daniel had seemed relieved—and impressed—by the decision. Josh was still skeptical about Ashton, but overall he was confident he was making the right choice.
“So, are you finally going to tell me the meaning behind ‘Soul’s First Kiss’?” Becca asked, breaking his thoughts.
Josh grinned. “This yacht was my first huge purchase after my business took off. I had always thought my first big purchase would be a house for my mom, but she wanted to remain in the house that she and my father raised us in, so instead we just did renovations, updated the bathroom and kitchen, that sort of thing. My family thought I was crazy for wanting to live on the water, but I knew what I wanted. When I saw this beauty, it spoke to my soul.”
Becca kissed him on the cheek. “That’s beautiful, baby.”
A goofy grin erupted on his face. He loved how she called him “baby.” In fact, there were so many things that he loved about Becca. And the list seemed to get longer every day.
“What about Purity Haven? Does that name mean something?”
“It does. My dad used to always say that no one can live forever, but if we find a place that truly makes us happy, we will always have our own personal haven of purity. To my dad, being happy was a sure way to extend your life and I guess calling the island Purity Haven was a way for my dad to live on... A way for me to communicate with him since he is constantly an inspiration in every facet of my life even though he’s no longer here.”
It didn’t surprise him to see so much emotion in Becca’s eyes. “That’s beautiful,” she said in a soft voice. “And it fits the island perfectly.”
“Thank you.” Josh studied her eyes, finally understanding why he could never figure out the perfect names for the properties on the island: because it was always meant for Becca to choose those names. She just didn’t know it yet. “Why don’t you relax? I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
Josh left Becca lying out in the sun by the pool on the second deck.
When Josh got to the gate, his package was right on time.
“Thanks, bro.” Josh dabbed fists with Logan.
“No problem, man. Good luck!”
“Thanks.” Even though Josh kept trying to calm his nerves, he still couldn’t do so. But with each step he took toward the deck where Becca was relaxing, he felt more calm.
Becca turned to him when she heard movement behind her.
“DeLong, what is in that big box you’re holding?”
Josh held the box out to her as he walked over. “Why don’t you open it and see?”
The minute she opened the box, she squealed at the small bundle of brown fur that jumped out at her.
“Oh my God, a puppy?”
“Not just any puppy,” Josh said.
“Wait... Is this a Lab and golden retriever mix? You got a combination of the dogs we each grew up with?”
“Yes, I did.” Josh loved to hear the excitement in her voice. “I got you something else, too. Check out his name.”
Becca looked up at Josh with laughter in her eyes. “This is too perfect. You named him Bugatti.”
“Had to,” Josh said with a smile. “I fell in love with you the minute you yelled out the name of my favorite car.”
Becca stood up and gave him a big hug, careful not to squish the puppy.
“Just so you know, Bugatti belongs to both of us,” he said. “I’m already earmarking certain places for him on the ship.”
“I can’t wait to visit him all the time.”
“You won’t have to visit him because you’ll be living on the yacht with us.”
Becca frowned. “Josh, we’ve been through this. You just told me you love me a week ago. Are you sure you want me to move in so fast?”
Josh nodded to the dog collar. “Why don’t you open that pouch that’s on Bugatti’s collar.”
Becca looked at him with skepticism, but she untied the pouch. When she opened it and looked inside, Josh gave her credit for not dropping the puppy.
Josh took Bugatti in his arms and dropped to one knee, pulling the ginormous engagement ring completely out of the pouch. He captured Becca’s left hand as her right flew to her mouth.
“Becca Wright, I know it may seem like our love has progressed fairly quickly. But for me, it feels like I’ve waited my entire life for you. When two people share a love like ours, it doesn’t take long for one to realize that a future without the other isn’t a future worth living. There are so many amazing qualities that you possess and I’d never want you to be anyone but yourself. I fell in love with the woman you were. The woman you are. And the woman you will be. You’d be standing here for hours if I listed all the reasons why I love you and why I can’t wait to start our future together. So I’ll try to make this question as simple as possible... Becca Wright, will you be my first mate for life?”
By now, Becca was crying and even then, Josh still thought she looked adorable. “Yes, Joshua DeLong. I’ll marry you.”
Josh barely had time to place the ring on her finger and give her a kiss before their families erupted in applause.
Becca turned to find the Wrights and DeLongs approaching them on the deck. She faced Josh. “How in the world did you pull off getting everyone on the yacht without me noticing?”
“That would be my doing,” Logan said, taking a bow.
Josh pulled Becca in for another kiss until Bugatti got jealous and started showering them with his own kisses, his little pink tongue furiously licking one then the other.
“What do you want me to do about this one?” Becca and Josh turned to Sebastian, who was holding another puppy. This one was all black.
Becca raised an eyebrow as she turned to Josh. “Two puppies?”
Josh shrugged his shoulders. “They’re sister and brother. I didn’t want to split them apart.”
Becca took the other puppy from Sebastian. “Hello, Maserati,” she said as she scratched her ears.
“How did you know what I named her?”
“Because I know you, and those are the two cars that you own that you picked me up in.”
Josh winked at his brothers since they hadn’t thought Becca would understand his naming conventions.
Becca walked back over to Josh and gave him a kiss that wasn’t interrupted by the puppies. “Just so you know, I draw the line at kids.”
“What do you mean?” Josh asked.
“It means that although I think it’s adorable that we’re naming our dogs after luxury cars, we can’t name our kids after cars, too. I have to draw the line with them.”
Josh laughed so loud both puppies started licking his face. “Baby, the thought never even crossed my mind.”
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from
PLAYING WITH TEMPTATION by Reese Ryan
Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!
Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003