Page 101 of After All

“And so this one is your…”

He trailed off suggestively as he held up the cookie that was oblong-shaped and tapered on both ends. She’d used a lot of pink frosting on that one. She gave him a big grin. “Yep.”

His eyes locked on hers, he lifted the cookie to his mouth and gave it a long, firm lick, removing most of the frosting in the process. Peyton felt her smile die as heat shot through her body. Damn, she hadn’t expected that.

“Delicious,” he said. Then he crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”

She took two steps forward and he pulled her the rest of the way in. He kissed her long and deep, tasting like frosting…and Scott…and her forever. She sighed happily and threaded her fingers through his hair.

When he lifted his head after several minutes, she said breathlessly, “You didn’t see the very last cookie.”

“I’m not sure I need to see any more cookies.” He took another lick of pink frosting.

Her entire body was buzzing with desire, but hehadto see the last cookie. “Just one more.”

He turned toward the tray and scanned the various shapes. She knew the moment he saw the one she was talking about. He let go of her and reached for it, his expression stunned. He held it up. “What’s this?”

“What’s it look like?”

He swallowed hard. “It looks like you’re giving me a diamond ring shaped cookie.”

She pressed her lips together and nodded.

His expression changed almost instantly. His eyes went from surprised to hot and possessive. He wrapped his big arm around her again and pulled her up against his body. “Shouldn’tIbe giving you the diamond ring?”

Peyton felt tears pending as she shook her head. “I think this proposal should come from me.”

“I’m going to look silly in a diamond ring,” he said, his voice gruff in spite of the teasing words.

She gave him a smile, leaned in, and bit the diamond off the cookie, leaving only a band. “Will you marry me, Scott?”

A shudder went through his body and his arm tightened around her. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and pinned her with an intense stare. “Yes. I will marry you, Peyton.”

Emotions too numerous to name, flashed through her. She’d known he’d say yes, butman, she had not been prepared for what that would do to her. She took a deep breath and then gave him a smile. Possibly the most joyous, sincere smile of her life.

“Okay, let’s go home where you canreallylick frosting off of my cookie.”

He huffed out a laugh. “Is that going to be a new euphemism?”

She nodded. “Definitely. And I’m going to be wearing this apron tonight while you do it. So whenever you see me in it, you’ll think of this.”

“Considering how much you talk about frosting and,” he coughed, “cookies, that could make things…difficult. Often.”

She grinned and stepped out of his arms. She started backing out of the kitchen, reaching under her apron and the skirt of her sundress for her panties. She slipped them off and tossed them to him.

“Well, after all, you don’t call me Trouble for nothing.”