Chapter Twenty-Two
Sophia
Six months later
Three months ago, she'd graduated with a degree in graphics design, and immediately she'd joined Butterfly Wings Designs as a junior partner.
Her relationship with Axel was still going strong, and she knew in her heart that she was in love with him. She thought he felt the same way, but as of yet, neither of them had said the words. She was afraid that she was wrong, and if she told him how she felt, it would make him run.
“Hey, beautiful. Ready for dinner?”
She'd been hard at work on Ronnie's latest cover—both she and Dagger had hired her to be their cover designer—and hadn't even realized how late it was.
“I'll take that as a no,” Axel said, pointing at the computer.
“Sorry! I completely lost track of time. Let me just save this and I'll be ready,” she assured him.
“No problem, babygirl. I know you're dedicated to your clients.”
“Yeah. Wait. How did you get in here?” she questioned.
“Hallie let me in.”
“Ah. That makes sense. OH! I thought of another tattoo I want.”
In the six months they'd been together, she'd gotten four other tattoos besides the one that had begun things between them.
“I'm beginning to think you're addicted,” he teased.
She stuck her tongue out at him. “Fine. I'll just get Ripper to do it.”
“The fuck you will,” he growled. “The only person allowed to ink that skin is me. Tell me what you want.”
Sophia laughed softly. “That's what I thought. It's a quote from Hold Me Today by Maria Luis. ‘Without the night, there can be no stars.’ I'm thinking maybe with a starry sky for a backdrop.”
“I can make that happen. For now, we've got a dinner date to get to,” he urged.
“Okay, okay. I'm coming,” she said, shutting her computer down.
“Not yet you aren't,” he replied and waggled his brows at her, making her laugh.
“You are so corny sometimes.”
“Maybe so, but I don't hear you complaining,” he countered.
“No, you do not,” she agreed.
She held onto him tightly as he drove them to Hartford and when they parked just down the block from Salute, she gave him a look. “What's the occasion?”
“Can't I just want to take my girlfriend to a nice restaurant for dinner?” he countered.
“Yes, but we've only been here once—on my birthday—so forgive me for being suspicious.”
“You're forgiven,” he said with a wink.
“Smartass,” she commented and lightly smacked his bicep.
“Yes, my ass is smart. Thank you for noticing.”
He grinned at her and she laughed. “He's got jokes.”
“What was it you said before? Oh, yeah. I do try.”
Sophia rolled her eyes at him as they entered the restaurant.
Axel gave his name and they were shown to a table. Conversation was light as they waited for their food to arrive.
Sophia still had a feeling he was up to something, but, well, if he was, she would find out soon enough.
Axel
Watching Sophia in the soft lighting, he knew it was time. He was madly, deeply, in love with her and it was time she knew.
“I love you.”
She'd been lifting her fork to her mouth and it froze in midair. “What?”
“I love you. I didn't exactly intend on just blurting it like that, but we've already proven that, when it comes to us, things don't always go as planned.”
“You…love me? Really and truly?”
“Really and truly, babygirl. I am completely head over heels for you. I think I fell in love with you the night you shoved your finger into my chest and put me in my place.”
“Oh. Well. That's good because I love you, too. I was just afraid it was too soon to say it, and if you didn't feel the same way, it would make you run for the hills.”
“I'm glad you feel that way, babygirl, because it makes what I have to ask you so much easier,” he told her.
“I knew you were up to something! You think you're so sneaky, but I knew.”
“That's because you're wicked smart,” he said. He removed the box from his pocket, slid out of his chair, and knelt before her. Yeah, traditionally it was supposed to be just one knee, but he'd never been traditional.
“What are you—” She was cut off when he opened the box to reveal the ring nestled inside.
It was made of white gold and had a round garnet gemstone as the central piece.
Delicate metal petals held the stone in place.
The sides had a studded, antique-looking detailing that surrounded six smaller garnets on each side, and a leaf pattern was engraved into the band.
“Sophia Marissa Redding, I have belonged to you since the day we met. I know I fought the connection between us, but from the moment you kissed me in The Skin Canvas, I've been all in. There's no other woman I want in my life. Will you marry me?”
He watched as she raised a hand to her mouth, muffling the sound that escaped her before she dropped to her knees in front of him.
“Yes. A million times, yes!” she squealed, and applause surrounded them.
“Thank fuck,” he breathed and slipped the ring on her finger. He took her face in his hands and kissed her until someone cleared their throat.
“Oh. Uh. Sorry. We should probably get off the floor,” he said and stood before he helped her up as well.
They returned to their seats to finish their meal, and Axel couldn't help but marvel at how much his life had changed. And it was all thanks to the amazing woman seated across from him.