Our hands had separated when the waiter poured the wine and I found myself reaching across the table for his again. “Me, too.”
“But you’re younger. I’ve had more time to explore relationships. I know how I feel… How this is different.” His thumb stroked the top of my hand, his eyes boring into mine.
“Just because I haven’t had a million relationships, doesn’t mean I’m not sure of you,” I assured softly. “I know that you’re it for me.”
“Move in with me. I don’t want to be apart from you.”
My mouth dropped open in a barely audible gasp. Part of me knew this was coming, but hearing him say it, made it mean more. The lease on the studio was up at the end of the month and Michelle was moving in with Mark.
I didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
His eyebrows lifted. “Yes? I thought you might say something about your parents objecting.”
“Well, I mean…” I smiled. “If you want it that way, I’m sure I could muster a little disapproval from my dad, but my mom is gaga over you. She might even be slightly jealous.” I laughed softly.
“I don’t think so. I saw how proud she was of you.”
“Hmmph!” I snorted. “She was totally bonkers over you! My dad might not want his little girl shacking up, though.”
“You’re right. He doesn’t.” Jax’s response surprised me.
“He doesn’t? You spoke to him about it?”
“I did.” He was watching me closely; gauging my reaction.
My eyebrows shot up. “Wow.”
Jax held my left hand with his right, then reached inside the breast pocket of his suit jacket with the other. He leaned forward over the table, his gaze intense.
“Addison…I know I’ve already asked but I didn’t have a ring and I hadn’t asked your father’s permission, so…” A large, colorless diamond solitaire sparkled between his index finger and thumb. “I will love you forever. Will you do me the honor of being my wife? Your father has given his blessing. If you’ll have me, you’ll make me the happiest man on earth.”
Jax waited for my response but I couldn’t make my voice work because emotions were flooding through me. My right hand came up to my heart and tears flooded my eyes. I nodded.
“You will?” he asked anxiously. I didn’t think I’d ever seen Jax nervous, but he seemed a little, now.
“Yes,” I managed as tears started to fall, then Jax slid the large brilliant diamond onto the ring finger of my left hand, then got up, pulled me from my chair and gathered me close. My arms slid around his neck and we were full-on kissing each other amongst claps and massive cheers of other patrons and staff in the restaurant.
When the kiss broke, Jax pulled me into a big bear hug and kissed my neck, then temple. “I just… I didn’t expect it this soon,” I said.
“I couldn’t wait.” He used his thumbs to wipe the tears away from beneath my eyes. “It’s
been killing me to keep our relationship secret these past few months.”
The restaurant fell silent as all eyes were trained on us. Neither of us cared. Jax cupped my cheek. “I don’t want to let go of you, but I think we should order. I have the entire day planned. In fact, I have the next two weeks planned.”
“You do?” I asked, surprised. My heart was an explosion of love. Could this man be any more perfect?
Jax still held my hand as we sat down then lifted it to brush his mouth across my knuckles.
“The ring is incredibly beautiful. I’ll never take it off.”
“It’s simple. Perfect, but simple. I thought if you wanted something more elaborate, you could have the stone reset.”
I shook my head. “Nope. I’m never taking it off.”
“I know I should have got down on one knee. I wanted to wait until tonight, but I couldn’t wait another second. I was just bursting to know you’d be mine.”
“Always. Don’t you know that? Since the first time you touched me… you were my heart’s only option.”
“Would you listen to us? You’d think we were romance novelists or something.” He winked with a small chuckle.
A gleeful laugh burst from my chest. “Or something. Tell me what you have planned.”
“We’re going to Greece for two weeks. Our flight leaves at four.”
Once again, he stunned me. “I can’t pack by then.”
He laughed again. I loved seeing Jax so stress free. I’d never been to Greece, but I’d heard it was absolutely beautiful.
“That’s been taken care of. I had a personal shopper at Bloomingdales select things, pack up a couple of bags and had them delivered to the airport. They’ll already be checked when we get there.”
“You’ve thought of everything.”
“We’re going to have a great life, Addison. We can live anywhere you want; do anything you want… have a huge wedding or elope. Have ten babies if you want. I don’t care, as long as we’re together.
My heart thrilled at his mention of babies. I loved that he was thinking about us in such a permanent way, and nothing would make me happier than having his child growing inside me, but I’d tell him that later… when next we were in bed, alone.
“A huge wedding,” I murmured. The thought seemed so daunting, but incredible. “My mother might forgive me for taking you off of the market if she can plan the wedding, but it doesn’t matter to me how large it is.”
“I’m good with just us, but I’d love to see you in full bride regalia.” His sensuous mouth slid into a small smile. He was so beautiful, his face so full of love. If I loved him any more I was sure I’d explode into the universe.
“I love you so much, Professor Panty-Melter.” I couldn’t help saying it. I wished I could shout it at the top of my lungs. He smirked at the softly spoken endearment.
“I just want to make you happy,” Jax said sensuously. “So, yes; I promise, a lifetime of melted panties on demand.”
My heart was so full of him. I never dreamed this amazing man that every woman wanted, would want me, or love me so much. I never dreamed my life could be so perfect in every way.
This man was every woman’s dream come true. And he was all mine.