Sugar

“Hey,” she said softly and reached across the table to place her hand on his. He still had his other hand over his chest, wanting to pull the ring out and get on one knee right here and now. “You don’t have to be so nervous. You’re kind of freaking me out.”

Baby, you have no idea.

“I see myself with you forever. I see you as the mother of my children, my partner, my wife.” He licked his lips, the feeling of his throat closing in strong.

Do it.

Say it.

Ask her.

He stood and walked over to her. She shifted on her chair, looking up at him with confusion on her face. And then he dropped to one knee and her eyes widened. She placed a hand over her mouth, clearly knowing what was about to happen right now.

Pulling the ring box out from his pocket, he popped the lid and presented it to her. Then, with his heart on his sleeve, his pulse in his throat, and so much fucking anxiety riding him, he asked, “Sugar, will you marry me?”

20

At first, Sugar didn’t have a clue what to say. It was so unexpected that she simply stared at him. Had she just heard him right? Did he really just propose to her? Staring across at him, her mouth partially open, what was she to say or do?

“Colton, did you just propose?”

“I know we’ve not known each other long and that there are probably a million different reasons as to why we shouldn’t get married but, Sugar—” He stopped, reaching over the table to take her hand. She stared down at his fingers, which were wrapped around her wrist. “I love you. There, I’ve said it. I can’t imagine my life without you or our dogs. Most mornings I wake up and you’re the first person I think about. I only ever want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Tears filled her eyes and she couldn’t help but press her lips together to try and stop herself from gasping.

This was so unexpected.

He’d wanted to have dinner with her to discuss some things. He’d sounded so serious on the phone. Part of her had been afraid that they’d been caught or he was bored, or something else. Any number of things that could take him away from her. What if he didn’t want her anymore? Crazy thoughts.

She’d never been one to give a man control or to even for a second believe her life could be better with a man in it. She didn’t even think that about Colton but he was the kind of man she wanted. Thoughtful, sweet, kind, especially after she’d gotten to know him, and seen that he’d been hurting that first time they met. He wasn’t that guy.

“You know, I didn’t imagine my proposal would have you staring at me in silence.” He chuckled, uncomfortable. “I should have waited. Shit, I’m sorry to spring this on you.”

“This is why you wanted to have dinner tonight? To talk? To propose?” she asked.

“Yeah. Waiting for what I want was never something I was good at.” He gave her a lopsided grin and her heart skipped a beat. “And shit, baby, I want you so badly.”

He heart was beating a mile a minute, her throat was tight, and her mouth had gone dry.

“I know that we’re going to have to come clean at work, but I want that. I want to shout it off the rooftop that you’re mine.”

She really couldn’t believe how happy she was in that moment, even if she’d frozen up.

“Say something, Sugar. Please, baby.”

She wiped a stray tear away, grinning, hating that she’d worried him, that she still was by her silence. It’s not that she’d intended to go quiet on him. It was just that he’d shocked the hell out of her. “I’m so happy right now. You really don’t know, do you? That I would love to be your wife. That I would love to share every waking moment with you.” She placed her hand over his, running the tips of her fingers across his knuckles. “You come across as this hard-ass businessman, but I know differently. I know that Boscoe has managed in his charming way to become part of your life to the point that you hold dog biscuits in your mouth so he’ll take them.”

“You told me that wasn’t weird.” He chuckled but visibly relaxed, her words clearly pleasing him.

“It’s not. It’s nowhere near weird. It’s amazing and sweet and funny and it makes me love you more.” She reached out and cupped his face. “I don’t think there’s any way I could be happier right now.”

“Then tell me yes.” He held a black velvet box in front of her, the lid still lifted. She stared at the single diamond ring that was nestled in the fabric. It was so beautiful. An engagement ring.