21. Vivian #3
“Which means when you have a problem, any kind of problem, you come to me and we’ll handle it together. Comprende?” At my nod, he clasps me to him, holding me close and stroking my hair, creating a sanctuary just for the two of us.
Drawing away so he can look at me, his eyes are filled with love and determination. “You’re engraved in my soul, mi amor,” he brings my hands to his heart, “just like I am in yours. A piece of paper doesn’t determine that. We do.”
His lips land on mine right in the middle of my workplace. And I don’t even care.
The kiss is claiming, all-powerful and possessive. I’ve never felt more owned than right now as he moves his mouth over mine, crushing me to his chest.
And I realize just how much I love it, being this essential to someone.
But not just anyone. Him .
The way my heart is tethered to his, the way it feels like it can’t possibly expand anymore to contain the love I feel for him.
Our foreheads rest against each other, both of us breathing hard as his arms embrace me.
I finally feel like I hold Michael’s heart just as much as he does mine.
This man has become my everything, and I don’t ever want to be apart from him.
“Me neither,” he says with another soft kiss as I realize I said that aloud.
A blush steals across my face as Sheila starts to clap, quickly joined in by Derrick who has just walked in the door.
It must be about closing time then; he said he’d come help prep for tomorrow so Claire could have a whole day off.
I hope she’s keeping track of his brownie points.
“What are we celebrating?” Derrick asks as he sets his keys behind the bar and starts to wash up.
“Well, Vivian over here has been holding out on us,” Sheila rats me out. “Apparently the girl’s gone and got hitched.” She arches a brow as I start to protest. Whoa now, let’s slow this rumor mill before it gets started.
“We’re not actually married—”
“Yet. But close enough,” Michael says as he pulls something from his pocket. In an instant he’s taken my left hand and slipped something cool and smooth on my fourth finger. He kisses it quickly, then takes my hand and wraps it around his waist behind him so my hand’s out of view.
“Tomorrow? Wanna make it official?” He tilts his head at me and grins, serious demeanor replaced with mischief.
“ What ?” I startle, my heart doing little flip flops in my chest.
“Is tomorrow good for you?” The smile on his face grows broader at my reddening face.
“We–we need to talk about this.”
“Fine. We can make an appointment at the courthouse tomorrow.”
My head is swimming, and I feel almost faint. Again . To go from confessing my love to him wanting to make this official—like, permanently official–well, it has been a long day and this is all too much for me to process.
Trying to lighten the moment, I remind him, “I don’t recall you asking me.”
His eyes sparkle as he tilts my chin up before nipping my bottom lip. “I don’t recall you saying no.”
The burst of laughter escapes me before I can contain it. I’ve never laughed and loved so hard with anyone.
His eyes crinkle as he wraps his arms tighter around my waist and pinches my ass where no one can see. “Not like I would have accepted that as an answer anyway. You’re mine, Vivian. And now you have a ring to prove it.”
“Are you ever going to let me see it?” I tease, and this time he lets me break free of his embrace.
When I bring my hand up and the light catches the ring, my heart almost stops.
It’s a vintage platinum band art deco style with a large center diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds.
As I turn my hand to look at it better, I see intricate scrollwork on the band. “ Michael, ” I breathe out.
“Do you like it?” For the first time ever, I hear a note of hesitation in his voice.
“It’s… you don’t understand.”
“What?” His brow furrows.
“It’s so much like my grandmother’s ring.
My great-grandfather gave it to her before the war broke out.
” I remember the date because it’s part of our family lore.
And also because we’d been watching The History Channel the other night on World War I.
He enjoys documentaries as much as I do.
“Hers has been handed down each generation. It’s just like this.
Similar style and everything. I’ve always thought it was the most beautiful thing ever,” I tell him softly.
“So does that mean you like it?”
“I love it,” I whisper.
His face changes from concern to relief as he kisses my finger where the ring rests perfectly.
“I’m so glad. Because this ring has been in the family for as long as I can remember.
Probably from the same time period.” I gasp.
He’s kidding, right? “Really,” he answers the question in my eyes.
“My dad didn’t propose to my mother with it because she had different tastes.
When I was growing up, he told me he was saving it for me. For me to give to my woman.”
At his admission, my heart skips a beat yet again. This man is going to send me into cardiac arrest. “How… why do you have this?” Right here, right now, is what I really want to know. As always, it’s like he anticipates my question.
“My dad stuck it in my bag when we were up there visiting. I didn’t even know he’d done it til this morning.
Scout’s honor,” he says to my shocked expression.
“When I called to ask him about it, he said he knew I’d be needing this.
And he was right,” he tells me softly, the warmth in his look encompassing me completely.
If he wasn’t holding me up, I think I would melt right here.
“I planned to cook you a nice dinner tomorrow. Run a bubble bath for you, massage your back, and hit all your trigger spots, then give you the ring along with hot cocoa before bed.” Commence swooning, ladies and gentlemen.
His voice hardens a tad. “But then you mentioned your ex might show up, and I didn’t want you to have to handle that alone.
You never have to do anything alone again, Vivian.
” He grasps my chin firmly and his determination pierces me.
“I know a ring won’t keep all the guys who want you away, but it’s still a sign that you’re taken, that you belong to someone. To me.”
He strokes the back of my head and slides his hand down to cup my neck.
“Vivian, do you even know what you do to me? The thought of anyone else touching you, even looking at you, like they could have a chance… I know we haven’t said the vows yet, but you’re mine, mi amor.
In every way that matters, you are my wife.
I am completely, utterly devoted to you.
And as your husband, I will defend your honor every single time. ”