Hold Me Until Forever
Page 18
Or he could really lay himself on the line and ask her right now.
Don’t be a fucking idiot. He could offer her his heart when it was just the two of them, but in front of an audience? In his own club? Had he lost his damn mind?
She stood before him, dressed to kill, and although she’d worn her makeup armor, the truth was she’d bared her soul to him tonight.
His mouth dried. Don’t do it.
Great advice and he was going to ignore it. He pulled the square, flat jewelry box from his pocket and gripped it between finger and thumb as though it might bite him.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.” He offered her the box, and his carefully prepared speech fled from his frozen brain.
“Oh, thank you.” She sounded thrilled and took the box, or at least tried to. He was having a problem letting go of it.
“Ella.” His voice was hoarse, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. I had it all planned out. He couldn’t remember a single word. It felt like the whole world watched him squirm. Just say it. “Will you marry me?”
She stopped tugging the box and looked at him. Her smile dissolved the knots playing havoc inside his chest. “Yes. I will.”
The relief was overwhelming. He had the urgent desire to pull her into his arms and to hell with his “don’t touch me” rep and the avid spectators. Instead he let go of the box and watched her open it.
She drew in a sharp breath. “It’s beautiful,” she said with awe. Did she understand what he meant by it? Did it matter even if she didn’t?
He picked up the gold chain, and the pendant that he’d spent hours searching for rested against his palm. “It’s a white Bengal tiger,” he said, just in case she didn’t recognize the delicately engraved features of the creature’s head.
“I know. It’s perfect.”
Without him even asking, she lowered her head and he fastened the chain around her neck. She looked up at him, and the necklace encircled the base of her throat.
Collared.
The reality of seeing her wear his jewelry crushed his fantasies to dust. A collective sigh echoed around the room, but he didn’t care what anyone else thought. Ella was the only one who mattered.
She pressed her finger against the tiger. “This means we’re officially engaged, right?”
She understands.
“It means more than that.” To hell with his tough guy image. He tenderly cradled her face. “It means we belong to each other. Always.”
“I can do that.” She took a deep breath. “I love you. I always have.”
He’d never said those three little words. Ever. But she knew how he felt about her. Especially now, when she’d accepted his collar and everything it meant.
For so many years he’d convinced himself he was incapable of giving anyone real love. How could he, with his history?
Except not all love was the same. God, was that the truth. It shouldn’t be so hard to tell her she was as vital to his existence as the air he breathed.
His lips touched hers. “I love you, Ella.” More than you’ll ever know. He’d spend the rest of his life trying to show her.
“I know.” Her fingers brushed his shoulders, but he needed more. So much more.
“Hold me, babe.”
She wound her arms around him and hugged him tight. Don’t ever let me go. She went onto her toes and whispered in his ear. “I’ll hold you forever.”
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Acknowledgments
First of all a very big thank you to Jayne Wheatley for coming up with the adorable names of Toffee and Treacle for Ella’s cats! And thanks also to Margie for suggesting Wizard and Widget for the kittens! Mega thanks to Candy Havens, editor extraordinaire, for all your help with the Grayson Brothers books. You’re a complete star. And to everyone at Entangled Publishing, especially Anita and Katie for answering all of my questions. Amanda Ashby and Sara Hantz, you know how much I love you both! And finally to my fabulous family—thank you for everything.
About the Author
Christina Phillips is an ex-pat Brit who now lives in sunny Western Australia with her high school sweetheart and their family. She enjoys writing paranormal, historical and contemporary romance but whether the hero is a fallen angel, tough warrior or sexy mortal, the romance will be sizzling and the heroine will bring her hero to his knees. She loves hearing from her readers!
Christina is addicted to good coffee, expensive chocolate and bad boy heroes. She is also owned by three gorgeous cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not wrong.
www.christinaphillips.com
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