d. “To hang the ring?”
“Well that, and I needed supplies for tonight.”
“Tonight?”
He smiled—the wide, mischievous one that made his eyes crinkle—and his dimples popped. It was my favorite smile.
“Yeah, I invited a few people to celebrate with us.”
“Oh?”
He leaned over the railing and yelled.
“She said yes!”
The lights came on, and I gasped as I saw his family and our friends below us on the next level down. Someone released balloons, and they shot into the air, balls of blue, green, white, and gold filling the center space and making me laugh. He had done this. Arranged it.
I glanced at him. “What if I’d said no?”
He chuckled, pressing a kiss to the side of my mouth. “They would have stayed silent and let us leave. But I was pretty certain of your answer.” He met my gaze. “You don’t mind I invited them to join us, do you?”
I met his eyes and shook my head. “No.” I glanced down at my slacks and sweater. “I’m not dressed for a party, though.”
His eyes danced. “I took care of that.”
“The packages,” I guessed.
He grinned. “Yep. Everything is there. Go pick what you want to wear. I’ll wait, and then we’ll join our guests. Everything is laid out downstairs.”
“I love you,” I whispered.
He tugged me close. “I love you, Mandy.” He lifted my hand and kissed my ring again. “And now it’s official. I get to keep you.”
“And I get to keep you.”
“Forever. No exchanges, no refunds.”
“I can live with that.”
He yanked me close, his voice suddenly serious. “Soon, sweetheart? You’ll marry me soon?”
“If that’s what you want.”
“It’s exactly what I want. I want to marry you and take you on a honeymoon.”
“That works for me.”
“I was thinking a clothing-optional honeymoon. And by optional, I mean none. You, me, a private place, and all the sex we can manage.”
Smiling, I traced his face with my fingers. “Knowing you—that’s a lot of sex.”
“Count on it.”
I looked down at the small gathering below us. Music was already playing, and I heard the sounds of drinks being made, the laughter of our friends, and I knew whatever he had planned would be amazing.
“This—” I swallowed, emotions beginning to overwhelm me “—this is more than I ever expected. You’re more than I ever expected.” A giggle burst through my lips. “I was planning on seducing you with a cupcake and a blowjob to get you to open up to me tonight.”
He threw back his head in laughter and kissed me again. This time, his lips were hungry, his touch possessive, and his tongue wicked. He drew back, his breathing hard.