“The only rule we need is that you belong to me,” he growls, sitting all the way up.
His eyes narrow and I see the determination on his face. It’s as if he’s up against some sort of challenge. What woman in her right mind wouldn’t want to belong to him? Of course I want that, but I need more. I need to know what all of that entails. I might not be acting like an old-fashioned woman, but when it comes to commitment, that’s what I’ve always been after. It’s why I’ve been alone so long. I was waiting on the one. What happens if I’ve found that, but he doesn’t feel the same? I need it spelled out.
“Are you mine, too?” I whisper, looking up at him through my lashes. I’m suddenly feeling completely unsure of what his answer might be. A small knot forms in my stomach, and I can feel my heartbeat speed up. “I mean, more than just having a baby together.”
My words are rushed and I don’t know what to expect. So when his face softens and he pushes me down into the bed, I melt a little. He moves on top of me, and feeling his weight makes me feel safe.
“I’m sorry I ever made you think that, my sweet Eleanor. This isn’t about a baby. Well, it didn’t start that way.”
He leans down and kisses me so deeply that all my doubts melt away. He goes slow and takes his time, like he’s got nothing else in the world to do besides kiss me. It’s so beautiful that it makes my body ache for him. I want to seal this kiss by connecting as intimately as possible.
When he pulls back, he cups my cheek and locks his eyes with mine.
“I’ve wanted you the moment I first saw you. Then when I found out you wanted a baby, I knew I’d be the only man to ever give you one.”
My mouth falls open at his confession. “You wanted me from the first moment you saw me?” I ask, wanting to hear him say it again. How can that be possible?
“I more than wanted you. I think I’ve gone a little crazy,” he says, laughing and pressing his forehead to mine. “But I don’t care.”
“I thought maybe you knew I wanted a baby and you’d always wanted one, too. So you’d be able to get what you wanted. Nothing more,” I admit to him, and he smirks. Could I have really been wrong about my assumptions from the beginning?
“Beautiful, I can’t keep my fucking hands off you. I want a baby with you and no one else. I didn’t even know I wanted kids until I saw you. Until you gave the idea life in my head.”
“This is crazy.” I bite my lip to keep from smiling. Is this real? Is this really happening?
“I told you I’m already crazy.” He pulls away from me and jumps off the bed. He goes over to a nearby dresser and opens up a drawer. After a second, he walks back with a box in his hand.
My breath catches when I see the black velvet box resting on his palm as he presents it to me. Am I dreaming? He kneels down beside the bed and I sit up, putting my hands over my mouth. When he opens the box, I see a giant diamond sparkling in the morning light. It’s round and on a delicate band and looks like something that belongs in a museum and not in this bedroom. My eyes are probably popping out of my head as he smiles at me and takes it out of the box. I’m completely silent as he slips it on my finger, never even asking me if I’ll marry him. He brushes his lips across my knuckles and then leans up, kissing me softly on the lips.
“We can get this finalized today. Then you’ll know how serious I am about this.”
I stare down at the rock that’s weighing down my hand. I’m still in shock and completely speechless. This is more than crazy.
“We don’t even know each other.” He gives me a smile that makes me think he’s hiding something. Then it hits me. If he knew I wanted a baby, it’s likely he knows almost everything about me. “Well, I guess I don’t know much about you.”
“That will come with time. But while you have my last name. This is forever for me, and who says we can’t learn as we go,” he adds before standing up and pulling me into his arms. “We can be married by the end of the day.” He starts to lead me towards the bathroom, and I tug on him to make him stop. He turns to look at me, the playfulness dropping from his face.