Anger filled me at the predicament that not only she put me in but I’d put myself in. I should have nipped this in the ass a long time ago. It’s the first time I’ve felt scared in my life. I didn’t feel it when I was starting my business or at any other point in my life. But in that brief few seconds, the thought of losing Alyssa overwhelmed me. I’d just gotten my hands on her and the thought of my stupidity ripping that away from me had me filled with an anger I didn’t even know resided in me.
“You’re supposed to say it back.” She smiles down at me, her hair falling all around us, having come loose at some point.
“Never doubt that I love you, Alyssa.” I had no doubt they’d be the last words from my mouth if the world ever took me from her. I grip her tighter for a moment. I’ll never let that happen. I release my hold a little, not wanting to hurt her delicate skin. Her smile is so big it lights up her whole face.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I trail off, not wanting to even say her name.
“Do we need to?” She shrugs like it’s not a big deal.
“Are you sure? I never want you to think-” This time it’s her that cuts me off, shaking her head and sending those gold locks of hers flying.
“I was wrong.” Her hands run up my chest. That was not what I thought she was going to say. “I judged you. It was wrong of me. I should have never questioned you or let things get in my head. You never gave me a reason to doubt you.”
Fucking hell. This woman is going to be the death of me. The sweetest of its kind but still the death of me.
“I was letting things from my past cloud my judgment. I really am sorry.”
My hands on her hips tighten. Someone hurt her. “Who hurt you?” The words come out strangled. I know I was the first to have her body. It doesn’t mean I was the first to have her heart. I equal parts want to kill any man that hurt her in the past but am also jealous as fuck that someone had gotten that close to her.
“He didn’t hurt me.” She sighs. “He taught me a lesson. To stay away from certain type of men.”
“You didn’t love him?” Fuck. I should not have asked but the words are already out there.
“No, we dated a little. I think it was partly my fault, too. I think dating is hard for me to understand. The thought of dating multiple people at once doesn’t appeal to me. I’m just not built that way. I saw you with all those women and thought you dated that way, too.”
“I was not with those women,” I growl.
“I know. I know,” she rushes to say. “I just wanted to tell you why I reacted the way I did. I’m-“
I cut her off. “Do not say sorry again, cupcake. I’ll never be mad at you for trying to protect yourself. It’s what I plan to do.” I kiss her. Protecting her and never letting anything hurt her is all I care about. No wonder my brother was so barbaric when it came to his wife’s security.
“I really do love you.” She smiles. Her eyes are filled with tears.
“I love you, too, but those better be happy tears.”
She nods her head. “You said I was your fiancée.”
“I did.” I shrug.
“I don’t recall you asking me.” She lifts her hand. “I have no ring.” She wiggles her fingers. I hate the sight of her bare finger.
“You want a ring on your finger, cupcake?” I tease her. She wiggles in my lap.
“One day,” she answers. Her words put me on edge. Was she only teasing? Did she not want to get married? “My parents.” Ahh. Now I’m getting the reason for hesitation. She wants their blessing. She’s been teasing me about meeting her mom. I know she played it off as a joke but I could tell her family accepting me means a lot to her. From what she told me, they are a close bunch.
“Yes, your parents.” I reach into my pocket, pulling out a box. Alyssa’s eyes grow big. She shakes her head no.
“Sean.” Her eyes fill with tears. “You can’t ask me. Not yet.”
I open the box. She gasps. Her hands fly over her face. I pull her into me, holding her close.
“Don’t cry. You’re breaking my heart,” I whisper into her ear.
“How did you get my grandma’s ring?” She lets out a small hiccup into my neck.
“I went to your mom and dad and talked to them.” She pulls back to look at me. “I told them I wanted to marry you. It took some coercing, but they gave me their blessing. Then your mom gave me this.” I hold up the box again.