Page 73 of Payback
“Which is why you were so hesitant.”
“Not true.” She ran a hand through his hair, curling her fingers around the back of his neck, coaxing him to look at her. “I was hesitant because I was afraid of getting hurt. I’m not afraid anymore. I know you’d never hurt me.”
He turned his head to kiss the inside of her wrist, pressing his lips to her pulse. “I wouldn’t. Not intentionally.”
He was reminding her there were no guarantees, and she knew that. There may come a time when they would inadvertently hurt each other, but she wasn’t going to live her life in fear of that anymore. If it happened, they’d deal with it.
“I can see my life with you.” He gestured through the windshield. “I can visualize the house, the kids, even the dogs.” He smirked. “I can see it all.”
She could too, and she loved the picture he painted. “I can too.”
He looked her in the eye. “Step outside with me?”
“Sure.” It was cold so she grabbed her wool coat from the backseat, reaching for his jacket at the same time. “Fresh air will do us some good after being cooped up in the car all day.”
As she stepped out of the car she looked up and realized the sky was glittering with stars, illuminated by a full moon. “It’s a beautiful night,” she whispered, when he rounded the front of the car to meet her.
“It is.” He slipped his hand in to hers and carefully navigated to the water’s edge. “I wanted to bring you here for a reason, Bell.”
Her heart started beating faster and she didn’t know why. His look was intense, and she struggled to read him. “Okay.”
He looked back at the site where the house would be built. “When I bought this land I had a vision of what I wanted my life here to look like.” When she nodded, he said, “And you’re the one bringing that vision to life. Not just with your incredible design, but with your smile, your compassion, understanding.” He pulled her close, whispering in her ear. “Your love. Without that none of this would be possible.”
She shuddered in his arms, because of his words, not the cold, but he held her tighter and she wasn’t complaining.
“My dream would be one dimensional without you. I’d have what I’ve always had. The sport I love. Money to buy cool cars or build nice houses. But that’s all I’d have. You add the most important element to that dream, Bella. Hope. You give me hope and make me excited for the future.”
Her sharp intake of breath as he dropped to one knee was followed by tears streaming down her cheeks when he opened the velvet box he’d slipped from his pocket. She could see the sparkle of the diamond, but not the size or shape. That didn’t matter. She didn’t care about the ring. She only cared about the man offering it to her.
“I knew from the first time we spoke you were different.” He reached for her left hand, kissing it. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Then when I lost you, it felt like I lost a part of myself too. Having you back in my life this past little while just confirmed what I already knew. You’re it for me.”
And he was it for her. Without question.
“So, will you make my dream complete by agreeing to be my wife?”
She sobbed before clasping her free hand over her mouth. “Absolutely.”
He grinned before slipping the ring on her finger. He stood, scooping her up and holding her tight. “This is just the beginning, babe. It’s gonna be a crazy ride.”
“And I am so ready.”
