EPILOGUE
ROME
One week later
I’d got what I wanted: our breakfasts, our showers, our laughs…him. Every day, I fall more in love with him, become more obsessed with him, but, at times, he frustrates me. Like right now, because he won’t tell me where we’re going.
I slide my hand to his nape, trailing the tattoo, and he smiles. Slowly, I slide my fingers and thumb to either side of his neck and squeeze. “I’ve asked you twice, so let’s call it third time lucky. Where are we going?”
“I told you I was taking you on a date. Quit asking questions. I’m not ruining it.”
I dig my fingers in harder, and he snatches my wrist, moving my hand to his dick. “You want to squeeze something? Squeeze that.”
I do. Hard.
“Fuck,” he groans, curling over the steering wheel, trying to pull my hand away. “Baby,” he pleads.
I laugh and release my grip, resting my hand on his thigh. My brows pull together when he slows to park along the road near Potters Field Park. “You’re taking me to see Tower Bridge for our date?”
He kills the engine, and I watch his large body move out and around the front, dressed neatly in his pressed black trousers, a white button down, and a suit jacket.
He instructed me to wear the same, just as he always does when he comes to me each week with a bouquet of flowers, asking me to go on a date with him.
The last month I’ve learnt how romantic Rain can be.
I’d never thought of myself as someone who would like bouquets of flowers or having dinner by candlelight, I’d always viewed it as emasculating or embarrassing.
Turns out, it only takes the right person to show you that thought is complete bullshit.
I cook for him and he me, but I requested he do it in an apron—only an apron. I sit on the kitchen bench, watching his delicious ass flex with each step, and then the tent that occurs when my designated wooden spoon collides with his ass.
Rain swings my door open and extends his hand. I shake my head, my cheeks heating as I take it and step out. He locks the car, interlocks our fingers, and tugs me along the path that trails to the river.
“I thought I knew everything about you.” He smiles. “But it turns out, there was one key detail I wasn’t aware of.”
“And what’s that?”
“That you like picnics.”
Seems he’s been talking to my sisters. I’m suspecting he dug that information out of them during Christmas last week. Rain is very much the gift giving type to express his love, and he definitely went all out.
I felt horribly guilty that he’d gifted me so much, because all I’d got him were new paintbrushes and a palette…
and a vibrating butt plug, which I made him open before everyone arrived.
He sobbed when opening the paintbrushes and palette I had ordered from Paris, but I still felt guilty.
Of course, he assured me it was more than enough, and I agreed to let him paint me. That only made him sob harder.
We fought back and forth about where my grandfather would live, but I refused to budge and insisted Grandad move into my old house.
I went to see Grandad a few days after Rain was released from hospital and broke down, trying to assure him Rain did everything he could to keep the estate for us.
He understood and agreed to sign the estate over to Aaron.
Rain ensured my grandfather was fairly paid for the land.
My steps halt when we come to the edge of the grass beside the river. Lights shine in the trees, wrapping around the trunks to illuminate the blankets and pillows spread beneath, with a wicker picnic basket and small table.
Heat spreads across my face as Rain pulls me toward it, wrapping his arms around me from behind. The beat in my chest hardens as he whispers against my ear, “Watch the water.”
I stare at the water reflecting the lights of the bridge. My trembling hands tightening around his wrists when the letters illuminate on the barge.
Will you marry me?
He pulls from my grip to step beside me, dropping to a knee. Taking the white leather box from his jacket, he opens it to reveal a silver ring and grasps my left hand.
“Rome Hunter Aston, you captivated me from the moment I saw you. Our life thus far has been all but smooth, but I wouldn’t change a second of it.
” I try to swallow the burning lump in my throat and force away the tears, but it’s not working.
“I don’t wish to spend a moment without you by my side.
I have never wished so much and had a need burn so deeply within me, to proudly call you my husband.
” Tears rim his eyes, and he squeezes my hand tighter. “Will you marry me?”
Tears spill to my cheeks as I nod, unable to form the word. He lets out a shaky breath and slides the ring onto my finger. I snatch his face and pull him up, smashing my lips to his, my tongue forcing its way into his mouth before he’s at his full height.
Maybe we’re both insane; maybe we’re moving too quickly. Truthfully, I don’t care. We’re doing what makes us happy. We’re doing what we want.
I jump when a loud bang sounds from the water. Pulling my face from his, I watch the fireworks soar into the sky. He snatches my face again, and my knees buckle when he grins, resting his forehead against mine.
A quick flash blinds my periphery, and I look to see Mum with a camera, Indie and Kilah beside her. The twins scream and run toward us, pulling me from Rain to wrap their arms around me.
“I was worried you might say no,” Kilah cries.
“Hey, come on.” Rain throws his arm out, the other wrapped around Mum’s shoulders as she cries.
“He got our permission,” Indie sobs. “Kilah was the hardest to crack.”
“I wanted to make sure he wasn’t a wanker in disguise,” Kilah scoffs. “I’m sold now that you said yes, after only knowing him for a few months. Grandpa agreed after a stern talking to from Mum.”
I look across to Rain. “You got my grandfather’s permission?”
He nods proudly. The twins pull from my embrace when Mum squeezes in and passes Indie the camera to cup both my cheeks. Goddamnit, my eyes are burning again.
“I’m so proud of you, Rome.”
“Thanks, Mum.”
“He asked for my blessing the night we stayed with you, but I said I wanted more time to get to know him.”
My mouth parts as I stare at Rain, his arms wrapped around the twins’ shoulders. “He did?”
“I think he would have proposed that night, had I said yes, and I’m realising now what a daft thing it was to make him wait.
He put your father in prison so he would never hurt us again.
I have no doubt that he loves you, and he respected my initial reluctance, promising he wouldn’t propose until he had all our blessings.
I’ve never seen you so happy, Rome, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted. ”
I cup her face and kiss both her cheeks. “Thank you, Mum.”
“Come on,” Kilah groans and steps back to glare at Rain.
“This is our night,” Rain argues.
“So?” Indie snips. “We can all enjoy it. Besides, you have enough food to feed an army.”
Rain sighs and drags a hand down his face, looking across at me. I smile and nod. “Okay, yeah, but when I kiss my fiancé, I don’t want to hear any whining.”
Indie and Kilah nod with a firm expression before giggling as they move toward the picnic.
Cold metal slides into my hand, and Mum winks. “Just so everyone’s aware he’s taken.” She follows the girls as I rub the ring between my fingers.
Rain steps to me, and I take his left hand, sliding the ring onto his finger. By the very surprised expression on his face, he had no clue Mum bought this. More tears well in his eyes as his arms wrap around my shoulders. “I inscribed yours,” he whispers.
“What does it say?”
“Sum qui sum.”
I smile against his lips, leaning into his warmth as I whisper, “Mine.”
Thirteen-year-old me would be proud.
THE END
The Game Of Truth series continues with:
Haunted, Blade and Alexa's story…coming 2027