Chapter 30 Ruby
October
“This is my favorite place,” I whispered, taking in a deep breath.
We’d come to the cabin in the Pacific Northwest again. I was out on the balcony, taking in the surroundings. It was much colder now in October. Other than that, you wouldn’t know it was fall. We were surrounded by fir trees and pines, which didn’t change color or lose their leaves.
“I can feel myself relaxing!” I said loudly.
Grant moved toward the room, then stepped out onto the balcony.
Three, two, one...
He came up behind me, putting an arm around my waist and kissing my temple. This was truly our happy place—we’d come here two times so far.
Was it my imagination, or was he smiling against my temple? I looked up. I was right!
“What’s with that smile?”
“I’m just glad you like it here. That’s all.”
I turned around, putting my hands on his chest. These past few months had been very, very dreamy.
Grant and I were spending every other night together, sometimes at my place, other times at his.
A funny thing happened since I’d been spending more time at his fortress: My place started to feel small.
But even though his house was amazing, both of us still relaxed even more here.
He looked down at me with an uncharacteristic smile. It was secretive.
“You’re keeping something from me!”
He brought his mouth to my ear. “Yes, I am.”
I gasped. “And you admit it just like that?” I narrowed my eyes. “You want to trick me into another hike, don’t you?”
I knew he was laughing before I heard him because his chest started to move. Then he burst out in guffaws, throwing his head back.
God, I loved the way his features softened when he was laughing. Actually, he just generally seemed more relaxed when he was with me. Yeah, I was singing my own praises for sure.
“Not today. I looked at the weather forecast, and it might start to rain soon.”
“Really? My luck, huh?”
I was just teasing him. I had come to enjoy the hikes.
“Why don’t we start by having fun in the Jacuzzi?” he suggested.
I grinned. “I will never say no to that. I’ll go put on a bikini.”
He cocked a brow.
“Sorry. I’m going to get naked. Does that sound better?”
“Much, much better.” He smiled even more broadly.
I was so damn happy that I strutted inside, jutting my hips from one side to the other. I swear I heard him growl.
Oh yeah. Mission accomplished. I liked turning him on.
I went to the bathroom, taking off my clothes and showering quickly. When I came out, I realized he was already in the Jacuzzi.
Damn. Did I need so much time?
I rushed back outside, tightening the robe around me. I dropped it next to the Jacuzzi and then slid right in .
“Oh, I like this. The water is warm.”
“Made it extra hot for you.”
I smiled as he pulled me onto his lap. I had my back to him and was facing the forest.
“You always do things to make me happy.”
“And I always will.”
I turned sideways because I wanted to see him as well, which was when I noticed there was a bottle of champagne and two glasses on the tray.
“When did those get here?”
“Babe, you took a long-ass time in the shower. Swear to God, I could’ve cooked dinner before you finished.”
“Well, it’s your fault. I started to daydream.”
“About what?”
“Nothing in particular. When I’m here with you, all I can think about is how happy I am.”
His arms tightened around me. “Same goes for me. Except that I also think about how lucky I am.”
My heart felt so full. Our spat months ago after the incident at Daphne’s party had dissipated like it never happened. My insecurity of Grant not including me in his future plans was never a thought again. He considered me family!
“Or you’re just very relaxed when you’re at the cabin.”
“No. It’s you, Ruby. I think that was true right from the beginning.”
I laughed. “Nope. You thought I was a lunatic who doesn’t take security seriously.”
He cleared his throat. “To be fair, I still think that. But something about you won’t let go of me.”
“Really? Was it Roger kicking your ass?”
He chuckled. “That too. But I want to spend more time with you.”
My entire body went soft. I’d only heard him speak from his soul a few times. And every time, I felt honored that he’d opened up to me .
“So today, I want to celebrate that I found you.”
“Grant...”
“Which is why I want to ask you something.”
He’d already asked me to move in with him a few times. I hadn’t been ready to let go of my place, but if he asked me right now, all romantic and sexy, I’d say yes.
He moved his hand on the tray, and I pulled back a bit, wondering what on earth he wanted to do. Open the bottle while he was fondling me? But then I realized that he was just pushing the bottle to one side and taking a small box from behind it.
“Where did that come from?” My voice was a bit hoarse. “I didn’t see it.”
“I hid it well.” He opened the ring box and held it out for me.
“This is Sybil’s ring,” I whispered. She’d shown it to me during one of the family’s get-togethers, and I just adored it.
“Yes. I told her how I feel about you, and that you liked her ring. She said it would make her very happy to see you wear it.”
I was touched. I didn’t know Sybil too well, but I was certain that this meant a lot to her—especially coming from Grant.
“It’s breathtaking.” The rhombus-shaped diamond glistened on the simple gold band, and I couldn’t wait to put it on.
“Be my wife.”
I laughed. “That’s your way of asking?”
“Ruby, I promise I’ll make you so damn happy. Our life together is going to be incredible. Every day will be fantastic. Hell, every hour we spend together.”
“And the hours that we don’t spend together,” I reminded him, “because you have wicked ways of spoiling me.”
“I’ll come up with even more,” he said.
I almost slid off his lap, but I planted my feet firmly on the bottom of the Jacuzzi to steady myself.
“I want to be your wife,” I said, looking from the ring to him. “God, I do. I want to look at this gorgeous ring every day and remember what it means to, well, both of us.”
He kissed my earlobe. “Fuck yes. ”
I giggled. “You know, as proposals go, I think this one is very unusual.”
“Why?”
“Because you keep swearing, and you didn’t get on one knee.”
He playfully smacked his forehead. “Damn it. I knew I was forgetting something.”
I turned around on his lap so I was fully facing him. He held the box tightly as he took out the ring and slid it onto my finger. Then I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“But it’s perfect. Everything about this moment and about you.”
He laughed against my cheek.
“So this is why you planned the trip, huh?” I asked, shimmying on his lap.
He groaned. “Sort of.”
“What do you mean, sort of? There’s no ‘sort of’ when it comes to a proposal.”
“I mean, it’s not the only reason.”
I pulled back, narrowing my eyes. “There’s more?”
He jerked his head in the direction of the bottle. “Check what else is on that tray.”
I looked over his shoulder but couldn’t see anything. But then I moved the bottle to the side, and he grinned.
“Ha, I knew it. A key to your house. You’re trying to lure me into your fortress again.”
“Look closer.” He sounded amused.
Oh, this bad man. He was sending me on an Easter egg hunt today.
I took the keys into my hand.
“Oh, it’s the cabin key,” I said.
“Exactly.”
“I don’t understand,” I confessed. “Are we renting it for a longer time?”
“No. I bought it for us. ”
This time, I really did manage to slide off his lap. He caught me, pulling me right back against him.
“You bought this? How? Why?” I stammered.
“It’s my engagement gift to you.”
My eyes bulged as I looked from the keys up to him. Then I put them back on the tray.
“Grant, that’s not how proposals work.” Happy tears welled in my eyes.
“I always do things my own way, Ruby. You know that.”
I put my palm on his cheek, pressing my forehead against his. “You’re... Wow. I’m not even sure what to say. This is incredible. Thank you.”
“Why are you shaking, babe?”
I shrugged. “I know I’ve told you, like, a million times that this place makes my soul happy, but I really didn’t mean... I wasn’t trying to give you hints or anything.”
“I didn’t think you were. I just knew it would make you happy. Besides,” he said, “this is one place where I know I can always bring you to relax. You shut down most of my other vacation suggestions.”
That was true. I was getting better at delegating at the restaurant, but I still had a ways to go.
“I promise to always find ways to surprise you and make sure you’ve got everything you need and want.”
I looked up and sighed. “You’re so romantic today.”
He grinned. “I’m trying, babe.”
“I can’t believe you bought this place. How did you find out it was for sale?”
“It wasn’t. It took me about two months to convince the owners.”
My eyes widened. “Wow, you’re good.”
He moved his hands up and down my back. “You’re starting to get cold, babe.”
“I don’t care. This is perfect. I don’t want to go in.”
“Want to open the bottle of champagne? ”
“Yes, please.”
I moved to one side as he grabbed the bottle, angling it so that when he popped the cork, it flew right off the balcony. He filled two glasses, handing me one, and we clinked them together.
“What are we toast—ohhhhh.”
I didn’t manage to finish my sentence because he pulled me onto his lap again. Oh yeah, he was already sporting an erection.
“So, what are we toasting to?” I whispered.
“To us, babe. To many more weekends like this.”
He pulled me even closer, and I moaned. “Grant, I’m going to drop the glass. Actually, you know what? We should just drink it.”
“Good idea.”
I took a sip. “Mm, delicious,” I murmured before downing it quickly, throwing my head back. When I straightened again, I realized Grant had already drunk his. We both put the glasses on the tray.
“Now, let the real celebration begin,” I exclaimed.
Grant smiled. “You’re reading my mind.”