Midnight in Brussels by Rebecca Randolph Buckley Page B

lay on the bed together for the first time, but fully clothed.
    “I love you, Amanda,” he said hoarsely as he brushed her hair back from her face. He cleared his throat, embarrassed at the sound of his voice. “I want to make you happy and give you everything you want, darling. I’ll never leave you.” His fingers traced the arch of her eyebrows and he kissed her nose. “Do you love me a little bit?”
    Instead of replying, Amanda pulled him to her and gave him a long, deep, wet, passionate kiss that left them both dizzy and weak. Then she moved from the bed and took his hand, leading him back into the living room.
    “It’s time for you to go back to the hotel now. It’s after three. Paula will be here in six hours to go shopping, so I’ve got to get some sleep.”
    He was hurt that she couldn’t tell him she loved him, couldn’t say she’d marry him. Something kept holding her back, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him. He believed he could persuade her eventually.
     
    “Where’s my little A.G.?” Amanda called out as she burst into the Livingston house through the back door into the service porch that led to the kitchen.
    “We’re in here!” Paula answered from the family room. “Watching the game.”
    Amanda took off her coat and left it in the kitchen draped over a chair. “Gimme that little bear!” She reached for A.G. in the playpen and picked him up; giving him enough hugs and kisses to last a lifetime. “You little baby bear … baby, baby bear … you’re my favorite little cub, yes, you are. I’m going to eat you all up. Yum, yum, yum.”
    A.G. began giggling as she nuzzled under his chin and blew on his neck.
    “So, where’s Richard?” Drake asked. He guzzled his beer and got up from the leather recliner to get another one.
    “He’s driving out by himself. Called and said he wasn’t sure when he’d be through with the meeting.”
    They all heard the horn honk.
    “There he is now.” Drake rushed towards the back door.
    “Well, I guess he’s excited about seeing Richard,” Amanda said as she put A.G. back into the playpen and then sat down next to Paula.
    “More excited than you are, little sister?”
    Amanda smiled at Paula.
    “What’s going on, Amanda?”
    “I’m making an announcement today.”
    “Oh, Amanda!” She reached over and hugged her before Amanda could respond.
    “Where’s my little darlin’? Where is she?” Richard didn’t take the time to take off his sheepskin jacket as he barreled through the kitchen and set a cooler box on the table. “It’s been two weeks since I’ve seen my woman. There you are! Come here, you little angel.” He headed straight for Amanda.
    She stood up and he smothered her with an embrace and a kiss that would melt the thickest glacier in the Swiss Alps.
    “I don’t think I could have made it one more hour without you in my arms. I’m never going to be away from you that long again. Never.” He turned towards Drake and Paula. “I love this woman, you know that. And I want to make this formal right now.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a red velvet ring box. He opened it and took a 10-carat ring from its perch and lifted Amanda’s left hand. “Will you marry me, Amanda?”
    Amanda’s face flushed and her pulse quickened. She was having trouble breathing, gasping.
    “She’s going to faint, Richard!” Paula rushed to her side and they guided her to the sofa.
    “No, no. I’m all right. It’s okay. Could I have a drink, please?” She turned pale as she leaned her head back on the sofa and looked up at Richard, tears in her eyes.
    “The champagne is in the cooler I set on the kitchen table, Drake. Let’s have a toast.”
    “You got it!” Drake hurried to the kitchen.
    Richard reached again for Amanda’s hand.
    “Richard, sit here beside me.” She patted the seat. “I have something I want to say. C’mon, sit down.” She took a couple deep breaths, looking back and forth at the faces of