“I’m not going to get angry about that statement because I know that your parents did a number on you and I love you so much it makes me ache. But I’ll not have you ever repeat that again, love. Do you think this happens to me every day?”
“I think that women—”
“Fuck the women, Grace. I haven’t looked at another woman since the day you fell at my feet and charmed me off of mine. I don’t give two shits about any other woman. It’s only you. And I’m telling you, I’m promising you, it will only ever be you.”
My eyes fill with tears at the fierce determination in his face, in the way he’s holding me so tightly against him, as if I might jump up and run away.
“I love you so much that the thought of ever losing you brings me to my knees,” I whisper. “It scares me.”
“Ah, darling.” He kisses my temple and rests his forehead against my own. “You’re not going to lose me. I’m yours until my last breath, I promise you that.” He pushes his hand into his pocket and pulls out a ring, not in a box, just an amazing round solitaire the size of my fist. “I was going to do this in a more romantic setting, but it seems this is our moment. Please, Grace Elaine Douglas, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
He wipes the tears from my cheeks with his thumbs and waits patiently for my answer.
“Of course.”
“Thank Christ.” He slips the ring on my finger and lifts me off the chair, walking swiftly toward the bedroom.
“Where are you taking me?”
“I’m in the mood to demonstrate how much I love my new fiancée.” He grins down at me as he lays me on the bed.
“Jolly good!” I cry and laugh with him as he covers my body with his.
“You’ll get it eventually, love.”