Chapter 30
30
Torrin
“K nock, knock!”
I turn to see him standing in the doorway of my room. My heart stops. He showered and shaved and looks heartbreakingly handsome.
“Is that the graduation present I got you?”
I look down, having forgotten I was holding it. I never opened it. Too worried it would be a reminder of what I could never have. It’s still unopened. Now, it will only be a reminder of what I lost.
“Yeah, I um… I had hidden it in my drawer after you left. I was trying not to want you more than I already did.”
“Open it, babe.”
I really don’t want to. But I don’t want to hurt him. He bought it for me because he cares. I slip the ribbon off, letting it drop to the bed. I lift the lid slowly like it might jump out and bite me. The air is taken from my lungs. It’s beautiful. A diamond and sapphire bracelet.
“This is too nice, Luke.” I know he has money. He’s been saving every penny from the sponsorships, but this looks like it cost a fortune.
“Nothing is too nice for my girl.” Those words wrap me in warmth, but they don’t have the same meaning anymore. Now, I’m just his stepsister.
“Thank you.” And as soon as he leaves the room, I’ll be tucking it back in its hiding place.
“Baby, look at me.”
“I can’t, Luke.” It’s too hard.
He steps forward, tipping my chin up with his finger. It hurts looking into his handsome eyes. The way they look at me makes me yearn to be back in his arms, him telling me how much he loves me. How lucky he is.
“I’m so sorry I hurt you, Torre.”
I try to pull away, but his hold tightens. I can’t hear another apology. It doesn’t change anything.
“Please, just let me say what I need to. And then you can decide?”
Decide? I lift my eyes, wondering what decision I have to make. Wondering if he’s going to offer a visitation schedule for our family. I take Christmas, he takes Easter.
“There are few things that I’ve ever been sure about. I’ve always known I wanted to be a professional football player.” And he doesn’t want to ruin his big future. He doesn’t have to explain. Deep down, beyond my broken heart, I know he’s right. Us being together creates complications, and I don’t want to ruin anything for him either. “And you.” The words rock through me. “I’ve never been more sure of the fact that you’re my girl. You’re the one I want to spend my future with, baby. You’re the one I want to wake up to every day. Marriage and kids—I don’t want them with anyone else.”
He slides down to his knees and my own nearly buckle.
“I have another present for you, babe.” He holds up a little blue box, and my eyes are nearly blinded by the tears. There’s a huge sparkly diamond ring sitting on the satin cushion. “This one is more of a gift for me. Because if you promise me your heart, it will be the best thing anyone has ever given me. Will you marry me, Torre? It doesn’t have to be now. We can wait until you’re ready. But when I’m in Dallas next year, I’d really like to know that no one’s going to try to take my girl from me.”
Dallas? Oh my God! “You got drafted by the Cowboys?”
He smiles wide. “I did.”
“Luke!” I wrap my hands around his shoulders. “That’s so amazing! Oh my gosh!” I can’t believe it. “It was always your dream.”
He nods, pulling me in closer. “Now, I have a bigger dream. You. I don’t want any of it, Torre, unless it’s with you. So, what do you say, baby? Are you in this with me?”
The word gets lodged in my throat. I’ve never wanted anything more. He’s my one and only. There is no life without him.
“Yes, Luke. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He takes the ring out, slides it on my finger, and rises from the ground. “I love you so much, Torrin.”
“And I love you.” It’s right here in his arms where I feel safe. Where I feel happy. “What about my mom and your dad? Do you think they’ll be okay with this?” It’s not going to change my decision, but it’s still a worry.
“I asked them both for your hand, babe. They both said we have their support. They just asked if we’d wait until you were ready. But when the time comes, they’ll be happy to walk you down the aisle if this is what you want.”
“It’s definitely what I want. I would marry you tomorrow, but if it makes them feel more comfortable with our choice, I’m okay with waiting.”
“We’re on the same page, babe. Just as long as you’re mine, it doesn’t matter when we do it.”
I lean up onto my toes, begging for him to meet me halfway. And he does. His lips sweep me up, tangling me in the heat, kissing me until my toes curl and the warmth expands. Pulsing everywhere.
“We need to stop, babe. Your mom is downstairs. And while we’re here, I don’t want to make them uncomfortable.”
I don’t either. He’s right. It’s going to take them time to adjust. And while they’re growing used to the idea of us, we should keep it clean. But that doesn’t mean that after they’re sound asleep, we can’t have a little fun.
“Will you meet me in the basement at midnight, Mr. Williams? I want to ride my fiancé’s tongue.”
His tongue licks across his lower lip, like he’s imagining me rubbing against it. “Yes, Mrs. Williams.” Those words melt me. “It’s a date. But you’re going to have to be a good girl and be quiet for me. Keep those screams muffled.”
“I promise I’ll behave.”