Rising Covenant (Living Covenant Trilogy Book 1)
Page 24
“You’d better be naked,” I said. “I’m not messing around. If we’re both not naked in exactly thirty seconds I’m going to pitch an absolute fit.”
Aric cleared his throat, causing me to lift my eyes expectantly. The spectacle in front of me wasn’t what I expected. In the five minutes I’d been gone, he’d managed to light almost a hundred tea lights. They glowed, lighting the area, as they flickered around us.
Aric was on his knee in the middle of the lights, a familiar jewelry box in his hand. Instead of sweet emotion on his face, though, he was laughing.
“You’re doing it now?”
“He’s doing it now,” Mom said dryly, causing me to snap my attention to the shadows next to the hot tub.
Mom, Dad, James and Paris stood there – Mom and Paris dabbing at their eyes as they fought tears. They watched us with bright eyes and sentimental smiles. That meant … . “Oh, crud. They heard all the naked talk, didn’t they?”
“No matter what, I need you to never change,” Aric said, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
“I did it again,” I complained. “I ruined your proposal. I’m never going to get that ring, am I?”
“You’re getting it right now, Zoe,” Aric said. “This might not be the proposal I planned, but somehow it seems fitting.”
I turned to him expectantly and extended my hand. “Give it to me.”
Aric held up a finger to still me. “I still get my moment,” he said. “Don’t even think about rushing me.”
I sighed, feigning frustration even though my heart pounded with unveiled excitement. I couldn’t believe he was doing this in front of people.
“Zoe Lake, I knew from the moment I saw you that I wanted you,” Aric said, and I could tell he’d given his words a lot of thought. “You were beautiful … and you were sarcastic … and you were unattainable. The more I thought I couldn’t have you, the more I wanted you.
“We have been through a lot,” he continued. “There were times I wasn’t sure we would make it. There were times I was convinced you would walk away because I didn’t deserve you.”
A lump formed in my throat. “I … .”
Aric shook his head. “You always get to talk, Trouble,” he said. “This is my chance. Shut your pretty mouth.”
I frowned but did as instructed.
“I don’t know what our future holds, but I know I can never have true happiness without you,” Aric said. “You’re all I’ve ever wanted, and you’re all I’ll ever want. That is my pledge to you. So, Zoe Lake, will you do me the great honor of being my wife?”
I pictured this moment so many times in my head I thought I knew how to answer. The moment was so overwhelming, though, all I could do was nod as I started to cry.
“Don’t do that,” Aric protested. “Why are you crying?”
“She’s crying because she’s happy,” Paris said, smiling broadly. “Don’t you know anything?”
Aric scowled. “I know I thought she’d be smiling when she got this ring,” he said. “Crying was never part of the fantasy.”
I pushed my hand out, watching as he slipped the ring on my finger. It was a perfect fit, and as the moon hit it just right, I knew our future would sparkle as brightly as the diamond.
“I love you.” They were the only words I could find.
“I love you.” Aric pushed himself to his feet and grabbed the back of my head, pressing our lips together for the hottest kiss we’d ever shared. When he finally pulled away, I was surprised I could still breathe. I was convinced he’d managed to steal all the oxygen from my lungs.
Paris and Mom broke into spontaneous applause, while Dad and James exchanged smiles and hearty handshakes.
“That was beautiful,” Mom said, her hand on her heart.
“I’m glad you liked it,” Aric said.
“I loved it.”
“Good. Now get out of our house,” Aric said, lifting me in his arms and moving toward the hot tub. “I reserved rooms at the inn in town for all of you. I don’t want to see any of you for at least twenty-four hours.”
“Do you think that’s appropriate to say to the father of the bride?” Dad challenged, his hands on his hips.
“I think it’s what’s going to happen because my wife-to-be and I are going to celebrate,” Aric said. “I don’t particularly care if you want to watch, but I’m guessing you do care.”
Dad scowled, causing me to giggle. “I guess we can stay in a hotel for one night.”
“Yes,” Aric agreed. “Tomorrow you’re moving to the house I rented. It’s only ten miles away so we can see plenty of each other, but it still allows everyone to retain some privacy.”
“That sounds better,” Dad said, lifting his eyebrows.
Mom jerked on his arm, pulling him up the hill and gently chiding him as they walked. “They’re adults. They’re going to do adult things. Don’t stare at them like that.”
“I still think he’s too big,” Dad muttered.
“And I think he’s perfect,” Mom shot back. “He’s going to be our son-in-law, so you’d better get used to him.”
“Yes, dear.”
I watched them all go, a mixture of relief and happiness rushing through me before I turned back to Aric. “What happens now?”
“Now you’re going to thank me for that really expensive ring with as much nudity as I can handle,” Aric replied.
“Do I have to take the ring off for this nudity?”
“Zoe, you’re never taking that ring off,” Aric said. “It’s you and me forever. I told you that a long time ago, and I meant it.”
“I really do love you.”
“I know,” Aric said winking. “That’s why I bought you that ring.” He lowered me to the ground. “I wasn’t joking, Trouble. Strip and get in that hot tub. I think you have some vigorous thanking to do.”
I thought about checking his bossy attitude, but he was too cute for words. “I think I’m going to like being married to you.”
“That’s good,” Aric said, smiling as he stripped off his shirt. “I know I’m going to like being married to you.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Sometimes the best new adventures spring from your favorite old ones.
“The last one in the hot tub has to give the first massage,” I said, tugging at my jeans.
“You’re on!”
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Acknowledgments
I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read my novels. I have a particular brand of humor that isn’t for everyone – and I know that.
If you liked the book, please take a few minutes and leave a review. An independent author does it all on their own, and the reviews are helpful. I understand that my characters aren’t for everyone, though. There’s a lot of snark and sarcasm in my world – and I know some people don’t like that..
Special thanks go out to Heidi Bitsoli and Donna Rich for correcting the (numerous) errors that creep into a work of fiction.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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