My arms fall limp and the notebook slips onto my lap. I have no idea what to say to that. Rochelle’s is my favorite restaurant; it specializes in pasta, but won me over with their breadsticks. Right now, the food is the last thing on my mind. Rook was going to propose? A swarm of butterflies on steroids take flight in my belly.
"But the Rulebook," Rook continues as if he hasn’t just blindsided me and left me speechless. "It was supposed to be some cute ass idea to pop the question."
Finally, I find my voice and whisper, "We're only twenty-three."
Rook shrugs. "My parents were married at twenty. And before you say it, I know we’ve only been together for a year, okay? But, have we really been together for only a year? It doesn’t feel that way."
No, it didn’t. I chew on my lip as I stare at him, looking for the moment when I realize it’s a joke. I don’t find it. "Are you sure about this?"
Rook frowns. "You know, in all the ways I imagined this happening, arguing about it is not what I expected."
"I’m not arguing." My world is just tilted on its axis a bit.
"Are you going to answer me?" The gold flecks in his whiskey eyes are sparkling with intensity.
I clear my throat as emotion clogs my throat. "Was there a question?"
"Yeah. A pretty important one. You just read it." Rook gives me a look as if I'm dense, and in return, I briefly consider letting him sweat. But he really is sweating I realize as I take in the beaded drops forming at his dark hairline. I can't do that to him.
My lips hook up at the sides, and I tap the notebook in my lap. "That’s not a question. You literally wrote a rule that I have to marry you."
He hums as he scratches his eyebrow. "I guess I did, didn’t I? Well, that makes this a lot easier."
A wide smile stretches my lips. "Are you fucking serious? You're asking me to marry you?"
"Yes, I’m serious." He grips my jaw. "Now stop making me fucking nervous and say yes already."
"It’s cute that you think I might say no." I shake my head.
"You’re cute." He reaches for my hand, twining our fingers together.
"Just cute?" I try to pull my hand away and frown at him.
"Sexy. Hot. Mine." He offers a crooked grin. "Better?"
I tilt my head as if I'm considering it, but a grin slips free. "Much better."
His hand wraps around my forearm as he yanks me down. As heavy as I am, he acts as I'm light as a feather as I crash down on top of him. "Then kiss me."
"You know I would have kissed you anyway, right?" I laugh as I hover above his lips.
"Not as my fiancé." He responds with equal amusement.
"Holy shit." The enormity of what had just happened finally overwhelms me, and my smile spreads wider. "We're engaged."
"That's typically what happens when someone proposes," Rook agrees with one corner of his lips hooking upward.
I kiss his smart mouth. I never get tired of kissing him. It's the warmth. The feel of home. Comfort and electricity all at once. I pull back just enough to whisper against his lips. "We could do something else for the first time as an engaged couple."
His eyelids lower, gaze smoldering. "You have such a dirty mind."
"And you love it." I wrinkle my nose and make a face at him.
"You have no fucking idea." Every ounce of teasing leaves his voice and his expression. "I love you. You've been my best friend, my fake boyfriend, and my boyfriend. But I want more. I want forever with you."
Sincerity laces his tone, and I know he means it. "What are you going to do about it?"
He grabs the rulebook and tosses it aside before whipping his shirt over his head. "I'm going to love you for as long as I draw breath." He muscles through flipping me on my back and crawls over me. "I'm going to kiss you until you can't take it anymore."
“You’re not going to get an argument from me.” I tug him down, taking his mouth with mine. He kisses me, giving me what I want—the taste of him, my fiancé, on my tongue.
Rook jerks back and winces. "One last thing. My parents didn't actually leave… They'll be there tomorrow and are expecting the proposal. Think you could fake it? Just for old times’ sake?"
Laughter shakes my shoulders. "I fucking love you."
"Back at you, sugar lips." He winks and silences my protests against the nickname that I don't quite hate anymore.
Every day I fall deeper in love with him. Rook owns my heart. Has since the moment I met him.
"Where's my ring?" I mumble into his mouth.
He jerks back. "Shit. I knew I'd fuck this up."
When he tries to climb off of me, I'm not ready to let him go. "Later. Right now I just want you."
He shakes his head. "No. Seeing you naked, wearing nothing but my ring. You have no idea how bad I've wanted that. It's been fucking killing me."
When I reluctantly release him, he leans over and slides open the nightstand drawer on his side of the bed and draws back, holding a simple silver band.
Lifting to his knees, he takes my hand in his much rougher one. "Noah?"
"Rook?" I grin as he places the ring around my fingertip.
He clears his throat and swallows audibly, throat bobbing. "You know you have all of me, right? Every last inch of my heart and soul belongs to you."
A lump swells in my throat as I stare into the whiskey eyes I've loved for more than a decade. "Yeah. And I plan on making sure you know you own me too. For the rest of my life."
"Damn right." He grins and finally slips the band onto my finger. "For-fucking-ever."
I laugh as I check out the ring, glinting in the light. "Still a little creepy."
He grips my jaw again, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Too late to back out now."
"Shut up and kiss me."
He does.
In the kiss—the promise of a lifetime together.
With his touch—a branded oath.
I'll love him until forever. And even then, it'll never be enough.
The End
Acknowledgments
This book wouldn't have been published without my incredibly appreciated support team. This year has been rough with the pandemic. It tossed an extra dose of upheaval in my personal life, so I want to start with thanking my kids who, despite being stuck at home, have handled all the things thrown at them this year with maturity beyond their years.
Kid one and two, you better never actually be reading this. You two rock for understanding and finding ways to keep busy while I was stationed in front of my laptop for hours on end.
To my loudest cheerleader, my mom, you are probably the biggest reason my books see the light of day. Thank you for all your pep talks and all-around support.
Jill Wexler, Rheland Richmond, Abigail Kade, Brittany Cournoyer, and Gwen Martin, thank you for talking me down when I have occasional (or often) panic attacks and giving me an ear to vent to. Sorry in advance for the next time it happens.
My Crow's Clubhouse reader group, you guys are amazing. It's nice to know I've got my own corner of the online world filled with readers and authors who support my work and provide a positive and fun atmosphere.