Page 80 of A Little Bit Engaged
Cara didn’t understand why he sounded so serious. “It was a fake wedding rehearsal.”
“Today wasn’t only our fake wedding rehearsal.” Brody pulled out a royal blue ring box. “It’s the day I wanted to ask you to be part of my life. For real.”
A soft gasp escaped her lips. Anything else she wanted to say lodged in her throat. She wanted to believe him, surrender to the sudden joy bubbling in her heart, but she was wary. Okay, scared. She didn’t know what to think. Did he mean the words or was he acting, saying what he thought should be said, not what he felt?
Shaking, she covered her mouth with her hands. “I don’t know what to say. For so long, it’s been you and Caitlin.”
“That was for show. Pretend. Being with you has always been real. When we were younger and now. You…you’re the only one for me.”
Cara forced herself to breathe.
His gaze remained locked on hers. “But I couldn’t see that until—”
“I was out of Caitlin’s shadow,” Cara finished for him.
“Your sister casts a big one.” Brody squeezed Cara’s hand. “When you left the Bay View House, I wanted to go after you, but Caitlin and her cronies stopped me. I literally dragged her with me. She admitted to using her anxiety to get her way all these years.”
Cara should have been more surprised, upset even, but this was so typical of her sister.
Brody swallowed. “By the time I got away from her, you were gone.”
“Lex and Rizzo gave me a ride.”
“Not straight back to the apartment. I was waiting. When you didn’t show up, I returned to the Bay View House. And then I had to find a jewelry store.”
“Jackson must have liked that.”
“I ditched him after the second store. He was slowing me down.” Brody’s gaze remained locked on hers. “I love you. I was planning to ask if you wanted to date me when the pretending stopped, but that’s not enough. I don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you.”
She struggled not to cave like a house of cards. He was saying all the right words. “But Caitlin and your career.”
“You, Cara O’Neal, are the only woman for me. I just needed to open my eyes and listen to my heart. I love you. You’re what matters. Nothing else.”
Loki meowed from his crate.
“Except for that spoiled, fat cat of yours. He matters, too.” Brody smiled. “We belong together. You’re smarter than I am. You figured that out first, but I was too stupid to realize it. Now that I do, I won’t let you get away from me again.”
Doubts disappeared. Wariness hit the road. Her heart soared. The conviction in his voice made her believe. Brody wasn’t acting. He meant what he’d said.
“I don’t want to go anywhere unless it’s with you. I was too scared to tell you how I felt. Too scared you wouldn’t feel the same. But I won’t ever make that mistake again.” She knew what she wanted, had always wanted, but she’d been too afraid to go for it. Not any longer. “I love you, Brody Simmons. I always have, even when I told myself I didn’t.”
Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her on the lips. He stole her breath the way he’d stolen her heart. His lips moved over hers with a hunger that lit a fire inside her. She loved this man, and he loved her. They could figure out the details later. For now, she wanted to kiss him, soak up his warmth and the way he tasted.
Her arms wrapped around his neck. She arched against him, her fingers in his hair.
Heat pulsed through her veins, driving a need for more.
She lowered one of her hands to his back. The muscles under her palm spoke of his physical strength, but the man was tender and kind. The pressure against her lips decreased. Slowly, he drew the kiss to an end.
“Consider this an intermission.” His smoldering gaze sent his hotness level off the chart. “Sariah needs to know if there will be a wedding at the Bay View House tomorrow.”
Huh? Cara’s breathing was ragged. Her brain was fuzzy from the kisses. She must have misunderstood him. “Say what?”
He opened the ring box. A sparkling solitaire gleamed against the blue velvet. Smaller diamonds were inlaid in a filigree, platinum setting. The ring was perfect.
Brody got down on one knee. “Marry me, Cara O’Neal. For real this time. Forever.”
She covered her mouth with her hands. “I…”
