Tamed By You (Always & Forever #2)

58. Chapter Fifty-Eight

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Ali

One year later.

If you had told me eighteen months ago, I’d be living with and madly in love with Harry Walker, I’d have laughed in your face and asked if you were okay. Yet here we are, and I have never been happier. It’s been a gradual move into his apartment, but the timing felt right. We both took a few days off work to move the last of my stuff in and from the look on his face right now, I fear he regrets his decision to ask me to move in.

“What the fuck is this thing?” he asks, holding up my red-light therapy mask. “Are you a superhero on the side or do you have a dress up kink I don’t know about because I can get on board with that? I’ve always fancied Cat Woman, but maybe lose the Iron Man mask.”

I snort a laugh as he tosses it in the box.

“It’s a skincare mask. It keeps me looking young and hot.” I place my hands on my hips, giving him a little wiggle. “But check that box over there.” I point to a stack of boxes in the corner of our room. “You might find that bunny outfit you loved at Easter,” I say with a wink.

“Tell me you got rid of that vibrating carrot toy that came with it. I’ve not been able to look at that vegetable in the same way since.” He visibly shudders. “That poor thing went places no carrot should ever go.”

“Come on, you loved it when I—” I tease.

“Baby, I beg of you, don’t make me re-live it.”

“You loved it.”

“I did, and that’s the problem,” he mutters under his breath, scratching the back of his neck.

I stalk towards him, swaying my hips, excitement dancing through me as his eyes roam my body. I lean in, whispering in his ear, “How about we skip dinner, and we do a repeat performance?” He lets out a low groan and steps away.

“Fuuucckkk, you’re killing me here and you are going to make me want to cancel our reservations.”

I was quite happy to get takeout and drink a Cosmo at home, but he insisted we go out to celebrate us moving in together. I reach for my silver pumps, sliding my feet into them and sweeping my hands down my silver dress, another dress from our new collection at work that I thought would be perfect for celebrating. I styled it for our Christmas spread for the magazine and the dress sold out in less than two hours when it went live.

“It’s not too late. We could cancel,” I suggest, stepping toward him, gripping the lapels of his black suit jacket. Harry just existing is hotter than your average man, but Harry in a suit and a white shirt. Holy shit. He wears the suit; it doesn’t wear him.

“I’ve booked the table, and—” I cut him off by leaning in, running my tongue up the side of his neck, earning a sexy moan from him, which sends a bolt of pleasure to my core. Determined to get my way, I slide my hand down his body till I reach his growing erection, palming it through the fabric of his pants.

“Please, baby, I…”

“Come on, we could have way more fun here.” I moan, pressing kisses up along his jaw. “You’re killing me here,” I smile in victory against his jaw, knowing I’ve got him right where I want him. But I’m stunned when he steps back, maneuvering me away.

Annoyed at his dismissal, I huff, “What the hell, H?” My words falter as he sinks down on one knee.

“Since you won’t let it go, you’ve given me no choice but to do this here.”

My eyes widen, my heart beating erratically against my ribcage. I let out a nervous laugh. “W-what are you doing? Begging?”

“Well, that depends on how this next part goes.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small blue Tiffany box. I gasp, my hands flying up to my mouth.

“Alice, Ali Cat, my little pocket rocket, since the day I met you, and you pretty much told me to go fuck myself,” a laugh bursts from me, my heart beating so loudly I’m sure he hears it, “I knew in that moment you were unlike any woman I’d ever met, and I made it my mission to make you mine. I knew that you were the one for me. Nobody gets me like you do. No one makes me laugh the way you do. I am in awe of your courage, your strength, your beauty, and there is no one else I could imagine doing life with. So…”

He opens the box. A stunning oval solitaire diamond on a platinum band sparkles and my vision blurs.

“Come on Ali Cat, humor me. Say you’ll be mine forever. Will you marry me?”

“Oh, my god,” I gasp again, unable to say much else. I stare, blinking rapidly at the dazzling ring.

“Is there where I need to start begging?”

I choke out a laugh and yell. “Yess, hell yes, I’ll marry you.”

He smiles up at me, removing the ring from its box and sliding the ring on my finger. Rising to his feet, he crashes his lips to mine, cupping my face with his hands, and I sink into his touch. I pull back, stretching out my hand, admiring my incredible ring. He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me tight against his chest.

“Oh, my god, oh my god. I’m gonna be a wife,” I screech. Turning to face him, his eyes glistening with unshed tears and the biggest smile on his face, I press a soft kiss to his lips.

“I love you,” I whisper.

“I love you too.”

“Oh, my god, we absolutely have to go out now to celebrate.”

“Well, I have one more thing to ask you.”

I eye him curiously. “I don’t want to go another day without calling you my wife, so let’s do it now.”

I lean back, mouth agape. “Now,” I ask, disbelief in my voice.

“Yeah, right now. I’ve got a plane waiting. I’ve made all the arrangements. I just need you to say yes, baby.” My face must say it all because he continues, “We’ve been through more than most in this lifetime, and if there’s one thing it has taught me is that life is short, and we have to take every opportunity we are given. So, do something wild with me, Ali Cat? Get on a plane to Vegas and marry me tonight.”

The answer is easy, and I utter the easiest yes of my life.

Stepping out of the car onto the tarmac, my hair is caught in the wind and the engine of the private plane whirls to life. The car journey here was spent making out or staring at my ring in awe.

I take the steps one at a time, Harry behind me, keeping a tight hold on my waist, making sure I don’t fall. Stepping inside the plane, I am greeted by a redhead, dressed in a navy cabin crew infirm, holding a tray of Champagne flutes.

“Congratulations to you both. Please take the seats to your left.” I step inside the cream-colored cabin, noticing the empty armchair-style seats, my Champagne almost falling from my hand as my body jolts in surprise when cheers and applause erupt from Ria, Jack, Gabby, Noah, Brad, Harley, Kate, Harry’s sister Tori and Grace.

Ria and Gabby are the first to greet me. Both beaming with happiness.

“Oh, my god, show me the rock,” Gabby squeals. The rest of the girls rush over, and I proudly place my hand in front of them as they all scream in excitement.

I hug each of them, taking my time to give Tori an extra-long hug.

“Thank you for being here.”

“Thank you for loving my brother and putting up with him.”

I choke back a laugh. “Always.”

“So, he did it, huh?” Brad's low voice comes up behind me. I turn to face him.

“He sure did,” I grin, wiggling my ring finger, and he chuckles.

“It looks good on you. I couldn’t be happier for the both of you.” His voice wobbles as he speaks.

I clutch my chest in an overly animated way. “Bradley, was that some emotion I just saw? Am I seeing another side of big, bad Brad?”

He bumps me with his shoulder. “Hey, don’t go spreading rumors. I’ve a reputation to uphold.”

“She’s softening you, and that’s a good thing.” I grin.

He glances over to the corner of the cabin where all the girls are huddled together. A look of awe in his eyes.

“Love does strange things to a man.” I can’t help the smile that sweeps across my face.

Placing my hand on his shoulder giving it a squeeze, he turns his attention back to me.

“If it wasn’t for you helping us, we might not have ever got here. From one closed-off person to another… thank you,” I tease. “You’re a good friend. I’m lucky I have you in my life.”

He pulls me in for a hug, the kind I’d imagine a big brother would give you. “Back at you, babe.”

Harry’s arm wraps around my waist And I turn to face him. “You did all this for me?”

“I’d do anything for you, Ali Cat. Now, let’s go change your last name.”