They rode along in silence for several minutes. Calli looked out through the powder-dusted trees over the white-blanketed river and sank against Dom. After his story, she felt guilty over her cozy upbringing and family legacy. Guilty and a little reminiscent. She’d chosen to leave the legacy, as had her sister and brothers. Certainly, her father would allow her back in if she asked, but since she hadn’t studied botany as he had wanted, it would be an uphill journey. She no longer felt qualified to pick up his research and didn’t know how much she’d have to learn at this point.
“Well, my gorgeous orchid.” Dom moved his shoulder and turned Calli to face him. “We’re almost done, but I want to give you a Christmas present before this ride is finished.” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small black-velvet box.
Calli’s hands flew from under the covers to her mouth, attempting to hide her shock. Her ungloved hand grew cold while the left remained warm inside the heated mitten. This wasn’t happening. They barely knew each other. True, they had fabulous sex and a magnetism that was undeniable, but she hadn’t even told him about Jax and Kent. There was absolutely no way she could say yes to a proposal. Oh-shit-oh-shit-oh-shit . . .
Dom looked deep into her eyes. They must have shown nothing but pure terror. Marriage had been the farthest thought from her mind. Hell, they hadn’t even exchanged I love yous yet. Calli started shaking her head.
Dom’s beautiful green eyes turned into a mask of confusion, his brows pinching, then he dropped his head back, laughing as realization apparently dawned. When he brought his gaze back to hers, he said, “Calli, no, it’s not what you think.”
“Really? Because it sure looks like a ring box.”
Dom leaned in and kissed her ear. “Trust me, just a little,” he whispered, warm, moist, and minty.
She nodded tightly.
He opened the box. Not one, but two diamonds sparkled back at her, picking up the light like the icicles hanging from the buildings they passed. Calli sighed her relief. “Earrings. I feel foolish.”
Dom smiled. “You shouldn’t. I didn’t consider how the box would appear. Can we put these in?”
Calli smiled and removed the little silver studs already in her ears. “Yes.” Then she laughed loudly into the sky, letting the hilarity fog the air.
He looked at her, again with confusion.
She answered his unspoken question, “I just find it funny that you opened a little black box, and my answer to your question is yes . . . after I nearly wet my pants with fear at the prospect of marriage.” She wiped a tear from her eyes, coming off the high of laughter. Then she worried that she’d offended him and rushed to add, “I’m sorry, I, uh, it’s not that, well—”
Dom smiled, leaned over, and kissed her with the sweetest kiss she could remember. “I’m not upset by your response.” He brushed a brown curl away from her chin and over her shoulder to reveal her earlobe beneath the hat and held up the earrings.
She put them in and asked, “How do they look?”
“As beautiful as the orchid before me.” Again, he kissed her, this time long and slow as the carriage came to a stop. Then he buried his head in her neck and breathed, “If you haven’t figured out how much I love the curve of your neck yet, I’ll be sure to show you later today. The earrings are more perfect on you than they could be anywhere else.” He pulled back and placed his forehead against hers.
Vaguely, she realized the carriage had stopped and recognized the high squeal of the door to the carriage opening, but she didn’t look away. She was melting here in this man’s arms, falling.
“Callista, I’ve never before considered being with someone long-term. I am also not ready for marriage, but if there were anyone on earth who could change that, it would be you.”
Chapter 29
Dom
After the carriage ride, they’d had lunch in a restaurant along the river—nothing fancy but a decent burger and beer. Dom had a light supper planned for the evening, so the hearty lunch was good and had prepared them for the afternoon ice skating. Even though they’d had an early onset of snow and ice, most of the true winter activities like the ice castles in Stillwater or St. Paul Winter Carnival didn’t start until February, so the indoor ice rink was the best he could do.
Neither he nor Calli were skaters, something that became quite clear as each had stumbled into the other, then they’d both ended up with cold backsides. The entire episode had only taken about fifteen minutes before they had decided to pack it in and head over to the coffee shop down the road for something warm to drink.
“Snowshoeing next time.” Dom laughed as he sipped the peppermint hot chocolate.
“You were quite a sight out there.” Calli laughed too.
“I’m just thankful I avoided that little old couple.”
“They were so adorable. You could just tell that they’d been doing that for years and years. I hope I’m in that good of shape when I’m eighty or so. Trisha’s classes are helping with that endeavor.” When she tipped her cocoa, she left a tiny dab of cream on her nose.
Dom captured her hands before she could wipe it off and kissed it away. The day had been nothing but companionship and sinking deeper and deeper into each other. A relationship, he thought, speculatively. Not something he’d ever believed he’d have. He’d never connected with anyone on this level, so this brown-eyed, brown-haired, five-foot-nothin’ woman had taken him completely off guard.
Her smiling eyes met his over the rim of her cup. “What?” she asked.
Dom shrugged.
“Okay, what do you have planned for the remainder of today?”
“Light dinner at my place.” He tapped his fingers on the side of his mug, watching for her reaction. “Then we can see where it goes from there.”
She pulled her hair over one shoulder, exposing her exquisite neckline. Pressing forward onto her elbows, she came to about an inch from his nose, licked her lips, and lowered her voice. “Is there really any question about where it’ll go if we’re back at your place?”
“I’d hate to be presumptuous.” He put on his best innocent look, no matter that he’d been anticipating having her back in his bed all day long . . . longer, truthfully. Probably since the last time they’d been together at the bar in his restaurant. Every time he’d walked by that spot or glanced over, he’d felt the corners of his mouth pulling into a knowing little smile.
~ ~ ~
Dom stepped into his kitchen—his home—and opened a bottle of cabernet sauvignon and filled the bottom of a decanter. Calli took a seat in one of the two chairs at the island, and he set the decanter and two empty glasses near her. “We’ll let that breathe for a few minutes while I get things ready.”
From the refrigerator, he removed a tray of fruits, assorted bread cubes, and skewered cold cuts and slid the plate to the center of the granite-topped island. He placed a pan over the gas stovetop, dropped in the cheese, and poured in the crisp white wine, stirring until it formed just the right consistency. After lighting a can of jellied alcohol in the center of his island next to the platter, he placed the fondue bowl on top and poured in the cheese mixture.