Page 62 of Playing with Fire

Simon opened the closet and rummaged around the top shelf, then headed for the bed again. He sat down on the edge, his back to her, and ran his hand through his hair a couple times. Her heart beat harder. Was this...? They had talked about forever more than once, but all the turmoil of the Ruiz Imports scandal, the loss of her father’s house and the demise of the business made the future feel too shaky to make plans.

Marianna sat up in bed and pulled the covers around her. Simon turned around, and his eyes danced and sparkled with happiness.

“I thought I’d plan this out better, but I changed my mind,” he said. “I think it’s time now.”

He climbed up on the bed so that he faced her, and he stole some of the blankets. She tugged them back, but Simon shook his head.

“I’ve got to cover my dick,” he said, smiling. “I don’t want to ruin the moment.”

Marianna laughed, and they rearranged themselves, face-to-face, her legs draped over his. Naked, their lower halves were buried in a sea of covers. Simon fumbled with the little velvet box in his hand.

“Marianna, I don’t have words to describe how much I love you. The last couple months together have been the very best of my life by far, and I just know it will keep getting better.”

Her heart flipped in her chest, taking in each of his words, expanding to hold on to them.

“Going back to Miami will be hard for both of us, but I think we’re stronger than whatever we’ll face. I want to face this and everything else together. You are my past, my present and more than anything else in the world, I want you to be my future. I want to beyourfuture.”

Simon rested his hand on the covers between them. His fingers shook as he opened them, his palm facing up. A ring.

“Will you marry me, Marianna Ruiz?” His voice was low and full of emotion. “I will love you and take care of you and fight for you every day.”

Marianna’s lip quivered, and she swallowed back her tears. She picked up the ring and slipped it on her finger.

“Yes, Simon Rodriguez. I want to marry you. More than anything. I want us to be a family, the kind you had.”

“You already are my family, Mari,” he whispered, pulling her closer. “My everything.”

She held his face in her hands, her ring sparkling in the morning sunlight. She stared into his beautiful eyes, giving him all her love and warmth, silently telling him that he was exactly what she wanted.

Marianna brushed her lips against his and scooted closer. “I think we can get rid of these covers now.”