On the ride back to the beach house, Kristina and Howie snuggled and kissed the entire ride. For once, things felt like they were coming together for Kristina and she was ecstatic.

As she leaned against Howie, their fingers laced together, she stared at the enormous diamond that adorned her finger. Howie was stroking her hair with his free hand, loving the way the waves in her hair curled around his fingers.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked quietly, kissing the top of her head.

She turned towards him briefly and smiled. "How lucky I am to have such a wonderful man in my life that loves me, how I can’t wait to be Mrs. Howard Dwaine Dorough and how I want our babies to have your soft brown eyes and loving smile."

"So, you don’t feel rushed into this?"

Kristina sat up abruptly, turning to him, her eyes dancing with passion and excitement. "No honey, I don’t. Do YOU think we are rushing into this?"

"No, I don’t" he said firmly. "From the moment I met you I knew that you were the one for me. I never believed in love at first sight until I met you."

"I felt the same way and still do. It’s like, every time you touch me, my whole body tingles. And every time you look at me, I want to rush into your arms and stay there. Being away from you this year only made me realize how unique our love is and how lucky we were to experience that kind of intensity. Then, to be reunited after such a long period of time and of all places – across country from where we fell in love. That only solidified my belief that we were meant to be together."

"Since we are in agreement, do you have any idea when and where you might want to get married?" he asked with a smile.

"I don’t know, baby. How about tonight?" she laughed.

"As tempting as that may be, I really want to see you dressed in your wedding gown, walking towards me with our friends and families sharing the day with us."

She squeezed his hand but said nothing, her heart aching to call her family and share the news of her engagement. Things were so different now that she and Howie were going to be married. Maybe it was time to come out of hiding and face her fears. Face the possibility of Stephen coming after her. After all, that’s what security and bodyguards were for, right? And even though he hadn’t actually murdered her, he was still facing jail time for attempted murder.

Howie interrupted her thoughts. "Kris? Baby?"

She sat up and faced him, the look in her eyes worrying him. He knew that she was thinking about her family again and the wedding. He wanted so badly to be able to make the whole nightmare with Stephen go away so they could start life fresh, but he wasn’t sure how to do that without jeopardizing her life.

"I’m still with you. Just thinking" she said.

"I didn’t mean to upset you by mentioning your family."

"I’m not fragile, ‘D’. You can’t continue to walk around on eggshells, afraid to bring up certain subjects that might upset me. What I really need is for us to discuss all of this and agree on how we move forward with our future without constantly fearing that Stephen is lurking in the shadows. I just don’t know how much more of that I can take."

"You’re right, angel" he said as the car pulled up in front of the house. "We need to talk about all of this and devise a plan that we are both comfortable with. BUT, can we just enjoy tonight and do that tomorrow? I really want to focus on our engagement and the rest of the night without further interference."

Kristina giggled as the driver opened the door and Howie climbed out. He extended his hand, helping her out of the car as she said, "You need to concentrate on getting out of that tux and into something that you can shake that cute ass of yours in. I’m ready to dance!"

"Yes, dear" he said, placing his hand on the small of her back.

Laughing, she said, "You’re learning fast!"

Howie rolled his eyes and opened the front door. "I’m going to change. Can you occupy yourself until I’m ready?"

"What? I can’t watch?" she said seductively, running her hand along his chest.

"NO! We will never get out of here if you follow me into that bedroom. You know it as well as I do! Go find something to do while I change!" he laughed.

Groaning, Kristina watched as he went into the bedroom and shut the door behind him for good measure. She on the other hand found herself drawn to the music room and the piano. She had a melody haunting her and now was as good a time as any to try to develop it, knowing that Howie would have to primp for a good fifteen minutes before they were ready to leave again.

Chapter 64       Index