When I was inside her, she released a moan of ecstasy, like just feeling me was a climax.
My eyes were on hers, our bodies moving together perfectly, our hearts beating as one.
Her hand slid into my hair, and she cupped my face. “I love you.”
Through the heat and grunts, I said it back. “I love you, baby.”
I hadn’t shared my space with anyone in years, but her intrusion felt like the missing piece of my life. I didn’t have to share, when I wanted to give her everything I had. It was less strange that she was there, and more strange that she hadn’t been there the entire time.
I rarely made dinner now because when I came home, we usually ended up naked somewhere, and once the fun was over, we spent our time talking in the dark. That was what we did now, lie in bed, the fall air pressing up against the windows.
She was on me, her arm draped across my stomach, her eyes opening and closing.
I couldn’t remember a time in my life when I was this happy.
Because it had never happened before.
She was the missing piece that my broken soul needed. She was the family that I lost. She was the love who abandoned me. She was the best friend I hadn’t had since childhood.
She was everything.
My palm moved up her thigh, feeling the smoothness and the muscle underneath. My penthouse was above most of the lights, so the only thing I could see from the window was a taller building in the distance with the lights on. But the rest was just nighttime sky. Our breaths were quiet, and in our comfortable companionship, we didn’t say a word. If we didn’t eat soon, her stomach would growl, and every time I heard that sound, I thought it was the cutest thing in the world.
Our relationship had progressed out of order. It wasn’t traditional or normal. Because when we came together…that was it. She was the person I was supposed to be with—and I was her person too.
So, I just went for it. “You want to marry me?”
She didn’t still at the question. Her eyes didn’t tense up. It was as if she’d expected it, knew it was coming in that moment. She propped herself up on one elbow and looked down at me, her hair sliding past. Her eyes met mine.
I held her gaze, my heart beating slow, still in a state of serenity. Because I knew the answer before she gave it.
“Took you long enough.” A slow smile crept on to her lips.
I smiled back, my heart aching in a way it never had before.
Because she was it.
The one.
16
Daisy
“I want to try this one.” I pointed through the glass case at the diamond ring.
The saleswoman pulled it out and set it on the counter.
I tried it on then stared at my hand. “What do you think?”
Atlas was beside me, a happy smirk on his face. “I love it if you do.”
“I really want your opinion.”
“And I want you to have whatever one you want.”
The saleswoman smiled. “He’s a keeper.”
I turned back to the glass case and tried on a few more, finding a princess cut diamond that I loved, the gem sparkling flawlessly. “I think this is my girl. How much?” I examined it on my hand before I returned it to the counter.
The place didn’t post their prices—on purpose.
Before the saleswoman could answer, Atlas spoke. “Doesn’t matter. It’s yours now.”
That was all the saleswoman needed to hear before she took the ring and headed straight to the register.
I turned to Atlas and gave him a playful shove. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” His arm circled my waist, and he pulled me close, giving me an inappropriate smooch in the jewelry store.
My hand moved to his and forced it onto my ass so he would squeeze it.
He chuckled against my lips before he pulled away. “Let me take care of this so you can wear it out of the store.” He moved to the register and pulled out his wallet.
I pulled my phone out of my purse and made the call. “Hey, Mooooooooom. Guess what?”
Atlas was back instantly, waving his arms frantically.
“What?” I asked.
“Honey?” Mom’s voice came over the line. “You there?”
He grabbed the phone and covered the receiver. “Don’t tell them yet.”
“Why?” I asked blankly.
“Just don’t.” He handed the phone back and headed back to the register.
I returned the phone to my ear and tried to think of something to say. “I…played the lotto and won.”
Atlas turned back to me, his eyebrows raised.
I couldn’t think of anything better on the spot, so I waved my arms around like an idiot.
“What?” Mom asked, confused. “The Lotto?”
“Yep. Thought we should get our nails done this weekend. My treat.”
“How much did you win?” she asked.
“Five bucks.”
She chuckled. “That’s going to cover just one nail, but I’m in.”