With his eyes glued to mine, he popped open the box. The same princess cut diamond I’d been wearing for almost a year sat inside, just as beautiful and shiny as the first day he gave it to me. I’d grown attached to that ring that moment I saw it even though it took much longer to become attached to him. “Will you marry me, Sheep?”
It was a comical question to ask considering I was already married to him, but I’d never been asked that question before, so my lips threw out the answer my soul wanted to give. “Yes.”
He pulled the ring out of the box and slipped it onto my finger.
Now that I was reacquainted with my ring, I never wanted to take it off. I’d felt so lost without it. Even when I’d first left him, I still wore my ring every single day. The only reason I took it off was because he came after me and reminded me of what he’d done. I stared at the beautiful diamonds on my left hand and felt my soul start to throb at the connection I felt immediately. Our marriage hadn’t always been perfect…but I wouldn’t have it any other way. “I love it. And I love you.”
He rose to his feet and slid his arms around my waist. “I know you do.” His lips found my hairline, and he kissed me on the forehead as his hands tightened around my hips. He slowly tugged me closer into him until our foreheads were pressed together.
My arms rested on his, and I closed my eyes as I felt everything fall into place. I fell in love with my husband and couldn’t imagine being with any other man. He was strong, smart, sexy as hell, and the best lover I’d ever had. He was my protector, my friend, and everything that I would ever need. There was a gaping hole in my chest that my late father left behind, but Maverick filled it so nicely. Now I didn’t need anything else but the man who’d given me his last name.
“Will you marry me again?”
I opened my eyes and lifted my gaze to meet his.
“Put on a wedding dress, exchange vows, and live happily ever after.”
“You want to do that again?” My words came out as a whisper because I was surprised by the romantic gesture. He’d already married me once. I didn’t see why he would want to do it again.
“Yes. But do it right this time.”
“It’s almost January…”
“We’ll go somewhere warm for the honeymoon.”
We didn’t have a honeymoon the first time because neither one of us was attracted to the other. We’d both viewed that day as an obligation, something we wanted to get past as quickly as possible. Then we’d stayed on opposite sides of the house and barely interacted as friends.
“Not that we’ll be outside much…” He wore that charming grin that made me fall in love with him all over again.
“I’d love that.”
“You already have a dress, and I have a suit. I don’t think we need much else.”
“No…but I’m not taking off my ring again.”
“Neither will I. We’ll just renew our vows.”
“And where will we go on our honeymoon?”
“Wherever you want.”
“Somewhere tropical would be nice…”
“Have you ever been to the Maldives?”
I’d barely left Italy. I took the train through France and the rest of Europe, but I’d never ventured farther than that. The warmest place I’d ever been was Greece at the height of summer. “No.”
“Then that’s where we’ll go. We’ll have our own bungalow over the water, order room service for all our meals, and make some babies.”
“Babies, huh? Didn’t realize you wanted a family.”
He shrugged. “I’m not repulsed by the idea anymore.”
I chuckled. “That’s romantic…”
“Missing my mother and being estranged from my father makes me want to have a family of my own.”
“Well…I’m not looking to be a mother right now. Let’s not forget I’m almost a decade younger than you. Maybe we could wait a couple of years?”
He didn’t show a hint of disappointment. His eyes burned with affection, and his lips rose in a slight smile. “We’ll wait however long you want to.”
“Besides.” I pulled him closer and pressed our heads together. “I want to enjoy you a little longer…”
18
Maverick
It was a frosty afternoon in Florence because the winter season was particularly cold that year. A clear sky was just as formidable as rain and wind because it was so damn cold. Most of the people on the street wore gloves, but I ran ten degrees warmer than everyone else, so I didn’t bother.
I entered the rehab facility and passed the check-in desk. I wanted to tell Lily everything that had happened with Father, but I didn’t think it should be done over the phone. Since I was getting married…again…I hoped she’d be there for the ceremony. It was more important than the first one anyway.