Chapter 38 Violet
Chapter Thirty-Eight
VIOLET
I try to stay awake, I do. But I pass out at some point.
I have vague memories of Cade carrying me up the stairs to his loft, undressing me and putting me to bed. I even remember him curling around me, fully dressed, a furnace I can snuggle against even if it’s a nice temperate summer night.
And then…nothing.
I wake with a start.
The room is dark, and I have no idea what time it is. I might have slept through to the following evening because it had to have been late when we got back, like early hours of the morning.
It smells good in here.
I’m about to head out when I see a dress on a chair and heels next to it. There’s a note with Cade’s writing.
Wear me.
Smiling, curious, I jump in the shower. When I exit, I’m awake completely, and I dry off and get dressed.
Cade is in the kitchen, looking hot and sexy in faded jeans and a blue button down shirt. There’s a tea towel over one shoulder, and he’s cooking. Sort of. He’s heating a pan of sauce, and I can see the paper bag from an upscale Italian restaurant, ragu is written on the lid on the counter.
I stare.
Because there’s also a tray of uncooked fresh pasta. And another container of shaved parmesan. And…oh my…tiramisu—one of the things this restaurant is renowned for.
He must have paid a pretty penny to get this delivered
“Did I sleep through the day?” I ask.
He turns and smiles at me. “Sure did, but it gave me a chance to do this…”
I suddenly take in the rest of his kitchen area. The table is set, and there are candles. And…I swallow hard.
Cade has scattered rose petals.
I immediately go to the light switch and dim it low, and the candles give a warm, romantic glow to the room.
“Sit.”
I do as I’m told, but I lean on the table, taking him in as he stirs the sauce and checks the water for the pasta.
“What’s all this?” I ask.
“Dinner.”
I bite down on my smile. “I mean, Cade, what’s it in honor of?”
“Look, I didn’t want to screw this up, so I ordered in something you’d like, but I got it so I could put it all together myself, like it was just made.”
“But why?”
He shakes his head and gets the bottle of wine that’s breathing and pours two glasses and takes one to me. “Why? I wanted to do something nice for you.”
“I don’t need to be coddled or handled with kid gloves, Cade, as nice as this is.”
But honestly, I don’t mind, it’s a sexy sight, a man taking charge in the kitchen. I don’t care he hasn’t cooked it from scratch himself, the sauce would take at least a day to make, and handmade pasta…I don’t even know how to do that.
I love the compromise, though. And he slices some bread and puts it on a plate with a small bowl of olive oil for dipping. I help myself to a piece. The bread is from a bakery, crusty and delicious, and the oil is fruity, slightly peppery and wonderful.
He comes over and drops a kiss on my head. “I know. I wanted to do this. I love you, Violet.”
I sip my wine. “I appreciate every second this.”
He adds the pasta to the water, and it’s done in minutes. Then he drains it, stirs it into the sauce, and serves it up in big bowls with the cheese in a bowl and chopped, fragrant basil on top.
Like this, I’m a queen. And I love him more than I ever thought.
He did all this for me.
I devour the bowl. I’m ravenous, and really, if I was alone, I’d lick that damn bowl clean.
Cade watches, amused as I run a finger in the bowl, and he takes my hand, guides it to his mouth and sucks it clean. “You know, there’s more if you’re still hungry.”
“I’d like room for dessert, thank you.” I take my hand back. “I don’t want to be too full.”
“Who said the tiramisu was for you?”
I sniff. “And who said I meant that kind of dessert. I wasn’t referring to food…”
He stands and takes my hand.
“The meal was just to butter you up for what’s coming next.”
I laugh. “You should know by now I don’t need my arm twisted or any butter applied when it comes to sex with you.”
“Presumptuous.”
I stare at him. “What do you mean?”
“Who said anything about sex? I’m no floozy, Vi.”
And then, to my shock, he drops to one knee and, still holding my hand, reaches into his front pocket and pulls out a black velvet box.
My heart jumps.
“A-are you doing what I think you’re doing?” And my eyes blur and throat gets tight. My heart is honestly about to burst in my chest.
“Unless you think I’m about to serenade you with the latest pop song to hit number one, then…no I’m not.”
He opens it with one hand.
“Will you marry me, Violet?”
I stare, open mouthed at the world’s most perfect oval cut ring. It’s gorgeous, everything about it, from the simplicity to the beauty of the diamond to the even more gorgeous and perfect man holding the ring.
It could be a dollar store plastic ring, and I wouldn’t care.
“Yes. Yes, A million times yes.”
“Thank fuck.”
I pull my hand free and hold it out for him, and he slips it on. Then I throw my arms around him and kiss him.
“To clarify, I want to marry you. Nothing in this world would make me happier than becoming your wife.”
I beam admiring him and the ring.
“Mrs. Violet Maddox,” I say trying his name on for size. “Mrs. Maddox. I could double barrel it, I suppose…”
Suddenly, it clocks, what I said. Mrs. Maddox? I dated his brother. So, I quickly fix it. “Mrs. Cade Maddox.”
“Hello, nineteen fifties.” He grins. “Thanks for the clarification and the unwitting acknowledgement that you’ll be mine.”
“I’m just saying I can’t wait to marry you.”
“And I can’t wait to marry you, Vi. Maybe one day, we’ll decide to have a baby, then we could dedicate a year to the purpose of fucking like crazy, in the name of procreation.”
I roll my eyes but secretly, I want his baby. I want him.
“I love you,” I whisper.
This is the happiest moment of my life, and it’s all thanks to Cade.