Chapter 29 #2
Tears stung her eyes.
“I’m falling so in love with you.” He sank to one knee and held the box out. “Will you be my wife? For real this time?”
A tear plunged down her cheek. She dropped to her knees with him, her hands finding his. “Wade.” Her lower lip quivered. “I meant it when I said yes the first time.”
As dazzling and intricate as his offering was, her gaze lingered on the emerald she already wore.
It held the sentiment he shared when he chose it for her.
Her fingers brushed against it, but she said nothing.
Instead, she let him slide the new ring onto her finger, the diamonds catching the light and complementing the emerald in an unexpectedly perfect way.
“I love you too, Wade.” Emotion lodged in her throat.
He stood, tugging her up with him, and she melted into his kiss.
Every cell came to life, and there was no denying the intensity of his kiss or where she hoped it would lead.
They’d made it this far with just kisses in Pleasant View.
Tonight, there would be no interruptions.
She was so ready to take things further.
Love poured through her, raw and intense, their breaths mingling.
Her fingers gripped his shirt, and his tangled in her hair, their kiss a collision of love and longing.
Then he drew back enough to rest his forehead against hers. “What if…” He breathed out. “Um, I was wondering—”
“It’s just the two of us here, right?” Surely, whatever he’d been about to say had something to do with kissing—or more.
His lips crashed onto hers again with a hunger and desperation matching her own, and she melted into his touch. In one swift motion, he lifted her onto the table, papers crumpling and scattering to the floor, but he barely broke contact before claiming her mouth again.
Her arms wrapped around his neck as he gripped her waist, his other fingers pressing into her bare shoulder with an electrifying touch.
Her chest swelled. This was Wade Stone—her crush, her husband, her dream come true. Was this really happening? Yes, she still had the biggest crush on him, even though he was already hers.
She gave in. Nothing mattered but returning his kisses with equal fervor.
Her fingers tangled in his hair, drawing his low groans.
She lost track of time. Each kiss poured out every emotion they’d buried since their fake date, now mingling with reality, one heart-melting, heavenly kiss after another.
Then he pulled back, both of them breathing hard. His thumbs brushed under her eyes, his expression softening. “Why are you crying, Cupcake?”
Was she? Her hand flew to her face. She hadn’t even realized tears had fallen. A shaky, half laugh, half sob escaped. “I can’t believe this moment.”
Wade had just confessed he was falling in love with her. He’d proposed—for real.
“Cupcake.” He cupped her face in his large hands, his expression intense. “I wouldn’t trade my single life for anyone but you.”
“If this isn’t just you feeling sorry for me…” Her words faltered, her mind drifted to the unrighteous places, and her lips twitched. “Where’s our bedroom?”
Something unsettled her with its intensity.
He took her hands and kissed them before meeting her gaze again.
“There are a hundred reasons why I want to make love to you, Claire. Feeling sorry for you isn’t on the list.” She couldn’t look away from his sincerity.
He looked like he wanted to say more, but she didn’t want to talk anymore. She brushed her lips across his.
“Okay?” he whispered, his voice as thick as honey, as if he needed to be sure.
“Okay,” she promised.
His lips turned up. His eyes flashed with desire, and the intensity ignited a fire low in her belly, heat spreading through her veins. “Dexter already put your luggage there, so don’t worry.”
“Is tonight—?”
“We officially become one.” His dark eyes glittered. He swept her off the desk and into his arms.
Her heart thundered as he carried her across the hall into a massive suite bathed in ambient lighting. Gold and white balloons floated across the ceiling, their ribbons cascading like streamers. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed a private balcony.
He laughed as he nestled her onto the massive California-king bed, into the comfort of a shimmering gold cover scattered with red rose petals.
“Theo and Rohan must’ve been behind these decorations. They stayed here last night.”
“That’s so sweet of them.”
String lights illuminated a white banner over them and sparkled off the golden words Sweet Honeymoon. At the foot of the bed, towels were shaped like two swans kissing. On the plush white rug, red rose petals formed hearts embedded with white petals spelling out Mr. and Mrs. Stone.
“I don’t want to think about decorations right now.” Wade’s strained voice reclaimed her focus. He lowered himself and looked at her with eyes full of love and appreciation.
Her pulse quickened. He brushed his lips on hers. She moved her hands to his shoulders, and her fingers wove into the hair at his nape. She breathed in his fresh scent, savoring him as the world around them faded, leaving nothing but the two of them lost in pure heavenly bliss.