from him, but I promised him I wouldn’t.
“I love you,” I whisper and give that piece of me to him too. He doesn’t say it back, but I know he heard it.
He kisses me without mercy, soothing my pain and taking everything I have.
Mason
How long is long enough? I keep thinking it with every second that passes. As if I’m not a complete fraud for asking Jules to marry me.
It’s been two weeks of things falling perfectly into place. She’s still waiting for the other shoe to drop. For this fantasy we’re living in together to crumble into pieces. I won’t let it, though. I’ll give her everything she wants and that includes a ring, a sense of security that will seal us together and truly put our respective pasts behind us.
Financially, with my business in shambles and the money tied up in contracts I’m obligated to fulfill but can’t, I’m fucked. I was smart enough to incorporate the business as an LLC, though. Personally, all I have is my house and stocks. It’s nothing compared to her bank account. But I’m stable and when the contracts are finalized and the business assets are split, I’ll be able to give her even more. I’m surprised she hasn’t asked, but I’m prepared if that’s a concern for her.
My eyes focus on the deep red petals scattered on every surface. I want her. I don’t care about anything else anymore.
The only thing I give a damn about is making Jules mine in every way.
I don’t want her to tell me no. I can’t stand the thought of her turning me down or worse, if simply asking her to be my wife could push her away.
It doesn’t matter how fast she is if she runs though, how quickly she’ll turn me down and try to hide. I’ll find her, I’ll catch her and I’ll wait for her. Always.
I close the small black velvet box, making the vision of the four-carat, cushion-cut diamond vanish and shove it into my pocket. Letting a heavy breath leave me, I turn and look at the living room. It’s obvious. So damn obvious that I’m going to propose.
The second she walks in here and sees the crystal vases of deep red roses on every surface, she’s going to know what I have planned.
I can see her now, standing in the doorway, gripping onto the frame while her beautiful blue eyes go wide and she breathes in the floral scent. The lights are low and the tea lights are scattered.
I’m not a romantic man by nature, but for her and for this ... Hopefully for the start of our lives together, I can do romance. All for her. I’ll pretend to be someone else until both of us believe it.
At the sound of the doorknob turning, my heart skips in my chest, hammering harder than I anticipated. I take a step back, pulling the box from my pocket and preparing to get down on my knee. My blood heats and anxiety suddenly washes through me. It’s really happening. I’m really going to ask her to marry me. The thought itself calms me.
Of course I am. I love her.
I run my hand through my hair as she steps forward enough to come through the doors. I thought she’d be astonished by the sight of the room. I imagined her taking it all in, but she’s only looking at me.
“Julianna Lynn Summers, I would be honored—” I start and already I’ve fucked up. I had this damn thing rehearsed. I thought I had it all memorized but having to look up at her, and not knowing what she’s going to say … I stumbled over my words.
Jules covers her mouth with a gasp, letting the front door shut slowly behind her. Her shoulders hunch forward some as her purse falls to the ground. I knew she’d be emotional; I just wish the shock would wane so I could see which side of her was winning out. The side that loves me and wants to live in the moment, or the side stuck in the past and afraid to move on.
Jules takes a few steps forward when I don’t continue, her thin heels clicking on the polished wood floors as she places her hands on my shoulders and starts to lower herself to the ground, but that’s not how I want her. I don’t know how I’m able to wrap an arm around her long legs and look up at her, still