Midnight Jewels

settled."
    "Everything is settled, Mercy."
    She knew he meant that. She stared at him wonderingly. "Is that right?"
    "There will be a period of adjustment, but that's not important. The only important thing is that we're going to be together."
    "Are we?" She felt slightly breathless.
    "I love you. The Circle of my life wouldn't be complete without you, Mercy."
    Glorious relief washed through her. "Oh, Croft, I feel the same way. I don't know how it could have happened so quickly or so completely, but I know I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I know it in a way I can't fully explain, a way I've never known anything before in my life. But I'm absolutely sure of it. I love you."
    "When the pattern is comprehended and accepted and the Circle is complete, everything is as clear and transparent as a watercolor painting. The truth glows with life when it's revealed." Croft reached out and took her hand in his.
    He looked into Mercy's eyes as the full light of dawn blazed through the window. His love for her was abundantly clear in the depths of his hazel gaze. He was right, she realized. The truth glowed with life when it was revealed. She felt his fingers tighten around her and knew that the link between them was unshakable. In some way she would probably never be able
to
fully explain, they belonged together and they both accepted that fact.
    The truth glowed between them. Two minds and two realities shimmered, blurred and finally meshed for a dazzling instant of time.
    And then the moment of realization was past, locked forever in their hearts and minds.
    "There are, naturally, one or two details to be ironed out," Croft said musingly.
    Mercy was still feeling slightly dazed by the experience she had just been through. "Details?"
    "I understand that you can't move to Oregon. You have to be near your business. That means I'll have to move to Ignatius Cove. That's no problem. I can run my business from anywhere along the coast. But we'll have to find a bigger place closer to the water. There are going to be three dogs, I'm afraid. I've got another one at home. A neighbor looks after him when I'm gone. They'll all need room to run and so do I."
    "Well, I expect we'll be able to find something larger than my apartment." Mercy was feeling very agreeable at the moment.
    "I will require a meditation room in our new home, a place that's used for nothing else except contemplation. I'll teach you how to meditate properly. I'll also have to instruct you in the proper selection of tea. I can't be expected to exist on tea bags for the rest of my days. And you'll need painting lessons."
    "Anything else?" Mercy asked sweetly.
    "We'll probably have to get rid of your television," Croft said, thinking. "I dislike TV. I find the flickering screen disturbing, not to mention the junk that's on the flickering screen. And then there's the matter of your taste in interior design. I realize you like bright colors, but with a little instruction, I think you can be made to appreciate the subtle nuances of more refined shades."
    Mercy eyed him dangerously. "Is that the end of the list of your, er, requirements?"
    "There are probably some other things that will come to mind. I'll jot them down as I think of them."
    "Wonderful. Tell me, what am I going to get out of this relationship?"
    He smiled complacently. "You'll be getting a man who will be able to help you control that streak of recklessness in you. A man who will always know what's best for you and who will see to it that you get what you need, even if it's not always quite what you want. You will also be getting a dedicated sex slave who will be devoted to your personal pleasure. What more could a woman ask?"
    That did it. Croft's newfound ability to tease her was getting out of hand. Mercy launched herself at him, pushing him backward onto the carpet. He went down easily, his eyes full of wicked laughter. She pinned his arms on either side of his head while she straddled his chest.
    "That's enough out of you, sex slave."
    "Are you going to assault me again?"
    "Darn right, I am."
    "Good. Then I suggest we get into a more comfortable position." He moved without any warning, rolling over and pinning her beneath him.
    "Croft!" she sputtered, torn between laughter and mock outrage. "Let me up. You're mashing me."
    "You're right. This position might be more comfortable for me, but I can see where it could be a little wearing on your sweet tail. This carpet isn't very thick, is it?"