Chapter 34 #2
“Shhh,” one of the women, I think Cecilia, shushes him.
Raina lets out a small giggle. “You know, it’s really unfair that I’ve been obsessed with you for the last ten years, and you can so easily get back in my good graces without hardly even trying. It’s a good thing you have a way with words, Luce.”
“There’s a reason why I’m such a good attorney, although that’s been called into question as of late.” My hands move to the back of her neck, resting at the base of her skull. I take another step into her space until we’re a hairsbreadth apart.
“I love you,” I tell her again, my voice firm and unwavering.
“I love you, too.” The moment those four little words roll off her tongue, I kiss her, capturing the small whimper she lets out the second our mouths collide.
Home. This kiss feels like coming home after being gone for too long.
Begging for entrance, my tongue brushes against the seam of her lips as our bodies melt together.
Her arms wrap around my neck, and I press my hips against hers, letting her feel what she does to me without even trying.
I’m tempted to lift her into my arms and carry her into one of the guest rooms so we can really make up, but refrain when I hear the excitement of everyone behind us celebrating our reunion, too.
We both smile but refuse to pull apart. The kiss deepens, as if we’re both determined to make up for lost time in this very moment.
When we finally break apart, her lips are pink and swollen, and the galloping in my heart intensifies with what I am about to do.
I promised myself I’d only propose if she was still wearing my ring on the necklace around her neck.
If she was, I’d take it as a sign of her still wanting me—wanting us.
It was the first thing I looked for when I walked in tonight.
Dusting my finger below the silver chain below her collarbone, I pull it upward, fishing the ring out from between her breasts. The light reflects on the diamonds, and I remember the excitement I felt when I purchased it.
Excitement I had no business feeling at the time, but couldn’t avoid.
With a firm tug, I pull it from Raina’s neck, the chain breaking easily from the stress put on the clasp.
Sinking to one knee, I blow out a steadying breath as my sister gasps in the background. “Oh my gosh.”
Raina lets out her own gasp, her hand flying to her mouth with surprise. “Luce!”
“What was the point of getting all the apology gifts if he was just going to propose instead?” Nixon asks from under his breath.
Sully tosses his hands up animatedly. “Right?”
“I swear if you two ruin this for them, I’ll strangle you both with my bare hands,” Vinnie threatens, her fists rolled tight as she scoots forward to the edge of her chair. Her gaze swings back to mine, and she nods encouragingly, already crying.
Holding the ring firmly in front of me with nerves lodged in my throat, I look back at the keeper of my heart and ask the most important question I will ever ask her.
When I first gave Raina this ring, I didn’t ask her to marry me.
I couldn’t bring myself to say those words under the guise of a fake engagement.
It took me far longer than I care to admit scouring her Pinterest boards to find this exact ring saved several times in a board titled Wedding of My Dreams. But I wanted her to have it. She deserved it.
And I wanted to be the one to give it to her.
“I promised myself if I got here tonight and you still had this ring around your neck, I’d take it as a sign that we’re meant to be together.
I told myself if you still wore it, I’d plan an elaborate date to wine and dine you and propose with an over-the top-gesture.
But as I stood here, praying you’d take me back and scared to death you wouldn’t, I realized if you still loved me, I wouldn’t wait another minute to ask you to be my wife.
” I take her hand in mine. “Our first engagement may have started as fake, but my feelings for you have always been real. When I gave you this ring, I wanted you to wear it for a lifetime. I can’t imagine navigating this world without you, Raina, and I know I’ve wasted so much time, but if you’ll make me the happiest man alive, I plan to spend every day showing you how much you mean to me. Will you marry me, baby?”
A smile peaks from behind her hand, still covering her mouth, and a single tear falls from her eye.
“Say yes or I will!” Sully shouts, then grunts as Cecilia’s elbow catches him in the stomach.
Laughing, Raina shakes her head. “Yes!” Her body flies forward, and I catch her, barely catching myself in the process as the momentum almost topples us both over. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Luce. Of course I will.”
Then her lips are on mine again, kissing me through her tears as they fall. Weaving my fingers through her hair, I pull her closer and kiss her with everything I’m feeling—love, passion, and admiration.
This woman—this beautiful, intelligent, impeccable, royal pain in my ass—is mine forever.
And I’ll never let anything come between us again.