“Um. We’re going to need a statement from the two of you,” Bellen called.
“Oh, leave them alone. It’s been a long night.”
Garret didn’t know who said the words, nor did he care. He set Tabitha down on the bed. “I think I might be falling pretty hard for you.”
“Well, fall faster, because you’re stuck with me now.”
Epilogue
Six months later…
Garret paced in Tabitha’s kitchen, gripping a set of papers between his fingers, waiting for Tabitha to finish her shower that she had to take after work. He shouldn’t be surprised. She always did that.
But tonight needed to be different.
He hoped it would be special in a way his fiercely independent girlfriend would appreciate.
“My, my. What has you all jittery?” she asked as she brushed her hand against his chest before reaching for the glass of wine he’d poured just before she’d gone upstairs. She leaned against the counter, running her fingers through her thick wet hair. The mixture of coconut and the rich sent of a dark blackberry and bell peppers filled his nostrils, exciting not just his taste buds.
“You know I love you, right?”
She folded one arm over her middle while she arched a brow, sipping her wine. “And why are we asking such a silly question?”
“Because I have to make a decision that impacts you?” He’d meant his response to be not only sarcastic, but funny.
Only it hadn’t come out that way.
“What decision is that?”
“My lease. It’s up next month. I spend more than half my time here. But I’d be a dick if I thought I could just move in. But I don’t know how to ask you if I should sign my lease or not.”
“I think you just did.” She set her glass on the counter and took the papers from his hands.
“And?”
“Are you asking to move in here with me?”
“I’m asking for more than that.”
She dropped the papers. They floated to the floor like feathers, landing on the tile with a soft little bump. “What?”
“I want more than to be your roommate and share in the bills.”
She cocked her head. “You mean you’re willing to pay half my mortgage? Car payment? Credit card bills?”
“Why are you making this so hard?” He rubbed his hands over his thighs before digging into his right pocket, the ring tickling his index finger.
Tabitha wasn’t a traditional woman. She didn’t bend to tradition. He’d learned over the last six months that it wasn’t that she didn’t want to get married and have kids. It was more that she wanted to remain an individual. That while being someone’s… no…his wife was fine. That being someone’s mother would be special and amazing, but she refused to give up her own self. She wouldn’t get lost in someone else’s world.
And he didn’t expect that of her.
But he sure as shit wanted to be married to her.
Have a family with her.
“Because I want to ask you to marry me, but I know if I dropped to one knee and pulled out this ring, you’d—”
She took the engagement ring from his hand and placed it on her finger. “I’d say yes.”
“Are you saying yes?” He let out a puff of air while she bent over and picked up his lease papers from the floor and tore them up, tossing them in the air.
“I love you, you big goof. I want to have the world with you.” She took her forefinger and wiggled her nose. “I wished for you to come to your senses and realize that while I like my independence, I love being with you. I love you.”
“Thank God.” He pulled her tight to her chest. “So, I have to be out next week.”
“Well, we’ll just have to have a garage sale and sell most of your furniture, except the dining room table and your bedroom set. Both are much nicer than mine.”
“Ace says that the key to a happy marriage is just say, yes, dear.”
“I knew I liked that man.” She looped her arms around his shoulders, clasping her fingers behind his neck. “I love you, Garret. You’ll all I’ll ever want.”
“I love you, too.” He pressed his lips against hers in a promise that meant more than any ring. Together, they could conquer anything.
Together, they would make their own footsteps in the sand.
Thank you for taking the time to read Burning Bed. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Please feel free to leave an honest review!
Sign up for my Newsletter (https://dl.bookfunnel.com/rg8mx9lchy) where she often gives away free books before publication.
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More Books by Jen Talty
About the Author
Welcome to my World! I’m an Award-Winning and Bestselling Author of Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, and Paranormal Romance. DARK WATER, book 2 in the NY STATE TROOPER series hit number 10 in Barnes and Nobel overall. THE BLIND DATE hit number 1 in the Contemporary Romance/Kindle Worlds List on Amazon. JANE DOE’S RETURN won both THE MOLLY and the BEACON before being published by the WILD ROSS PRESS.
I first started writing while carting my kids to one hockey rink after the other, averaging 170 games per year between 3 kids in 2 countries and 5 states. My first book, IN TWO WEEKS was originally published in 2007. In 2010 I helped form a publishing company (Cool Gus Publishing) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer where I ran the technical side of the business through 2016.
I’m currently enjoying the next phase of my life…the empty NESTER! My husband and I spend our winters in Jupiter, Florida and our summers in Rochester, NY. We have three amazing children who have all gone off to carve out their places in the world, while I continue to craft stories that I hope will make you readers feel good and put a smile on your face.
To learn more about me please visit my website: jentalty.com
Sign up for my Newsletter (https://dl.bookfunnel.com/rg8mx9lchy) where she often gives away free books before publication.
Join my private Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/191706547909047/) where she posts exclusive excerpts and discuss all things murder and love!
Also by Jen Talty
SPECIAL FORCES: OPERATION ALPHA:
FIRE PROTECTION SPECIALISTS
Burning Desire
Burning Kiss
Burning Skies
Burning Lies
Burning Heart
The New York State Trooper Series
In Two Weeks
Dark Water
Deadly Secrets
Murder in Paradise Bay
To Protect His Own
Deadly Seduction
When a Stranger Calls
Federal Investigator Series
Jane Doe’s Return
The Butterfly Murders
THE MEN OF THEIF LAKE
Rekindled
THE OMEGA TEAM: THE SARICH BROTHERS
The Lighthouse
Her Last Hope
The Last Flight
The Phoenix Agency: The Raven Sisters
The Lost Sister
The Lost Solider
The Brotherhood Protectors: Out Of The Wild
Rough Justice
Paranormal Dating Agency
The Blind Date
Spring Fling
Sassy Ever After
Lady Sass
All That Sass
There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com
You can also visit our Amazon page at:
http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha
Special Forces: Operation Alpha World
Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold
Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey
Shauna Allen: Defending Danielle
Shauna Allen: Rescuing Rebekah
Shauna Allen: Savi
ng Scarlett
Shauna Allen: Saving Grace
Brynne Asher: Blackburn
Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine
Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei
Julia Bright: Rescuing Amy
Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage
Victoria Bright: Going Ghost
Victoria Bright: Jostling Joker
Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Barbie
Kendra Mei Chailyn : Pitbull
Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth
Melissa Kay Clarke: Safeguarding Miley
Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven
Samantha A. Cole: Cheating the Devil
Sue Coletta: Hacked
Melissa Combs: Gallant
KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina
Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah
Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery
Jordan Dane: Fiona’s Salvation
Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia
Riley Edwards: Redeeming Violet
Riley Edwards, Recovering Ivy
Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Erin
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Suzie
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Brielle
Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska
Casey Hagen: Shielding Harlow
Casey Hagen: Shielding Josie
Casey Hagen: Shielding Blair
Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie
Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Savannah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Stephanie
Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Fighting for Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Defending Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Summer Breeze
Silver James: Rescue Moon
Silver James: SEAL Moon
Silver James: Assassin’s Moon
Silver James: Under the Assassin’s Moon
Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia
Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava
Heather Long: Securing Arizona
Heather Long: Guarding Gertrude
Heather Long: Protecting Pilar
Heather Long: Covering Coco
Gennita Low: No Protection
Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse
Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck
Margaret Madigan: Buck the System
Margaret Madigan: Jungle Buck
Margaret Madigan: December Chill
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Bride
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Twin
KD Michaels: Saving Laura
KD Michaels: Protecting Shane
KD Michaels: Avenging Angels
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound 2
Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt
Wren Michaels: Shift of Fate
Wren Michaels: Steeling His Heart
Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi
Mary B Moore: Force Protection
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Goddess
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Vixen
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Heartbeat
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty
MJ Nightingale: Betting on Benny
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Secrets
Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty
Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa
Lainey Reese: Protecting New York
Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily
Jen Talty: Burning Desire
Jen Talty: Burning Kiss
Jen Talty: Burning Skies
Jen Talty: Burning Lies
Jen Talty: Burning Heart
Megan Vernon: Protecting Us
Megan Vernon: Protecting Earth
Fire and Police: Operation Alpha World
KaLyn Cooper: Justice for Gwen
As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)
Rescuing Aimee (novella)
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary (Oct 2018)
Rescuing Macie (April 2019)
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Shelter for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Milena
Shelter for Blythe
Justice for Hope
Shelter for Quinn (Feb 2019)
Shelter for Koren (June 2019)
Shelter for Penelope (Oct 2019)
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline (FREE!)
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Dakota
SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series
Securing Caite (Jan 2019)
Securing Sidney (May 2019)
Securing Piper (Sept 2019)
Securing Zoey (TBA)
Securing Avery (TBA)
Securing Kalee (TBA)
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.
If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review. It’s appreciated by authors more than you’ll know.
www.stokeraces.com
www.AcesPress.com
susan@stokeraces.com