Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 44963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Hungry?” she calls over.
“For more than bacon,” I say, smirking as I push the door open and walk over to her.
She laughs, then her expression darkens. “Is it over?”
“It’s done,” I tell her. “They’ll never pursue us. We’ve got too much dirt on them, and since we’re not on the East Coast, they have little reason to. I’m sorry you have to transfer colleges.”
“Don’t be.”
She rushes around the kitchen island and presses herself against me.
“I’m not leaving anything behind except pain… the pain of what that evil man did, living in the same city where it happened. I’m ready to start a new life with you here, where the sun’s always shining.”
“You’re going to ace college,” I tell her passionately, placing my face against her hair and inhaling deeply. It’s one of my favorite things to do, drawing her scent into me, deep into my chest, letting it flow outward through my body. Her essence fills me up every single day, every single second.
I love you, I almost say, but that’s for later.
“Come for a drive with me this afternoon,” I tell her. “There’s something I want to show you.”
I drive through the hills, past the large houses with their massive gates and their tall fences, the sort of places perfect for raising a family, quiet streets where our kids can play outside.
My mind returns to what Andrew said.
“You have my blessing, but if you ever hurt her…”
I’m relieved my woman has a dad who’s so protective. She’ll have so many people looking out for her, making sure she’s safe, but Phil—Andrew—was always like that. Not that I need anybody else to protect Violet. I’ll never let anybody hurt my woman. I’d tear the world apart before I let that happen.
I swallow a lump of nerves, feeling the ring box press against my leg through my pocket.
“Look at these places,” Violet murmurs, gazing out of the window.
There’s awe in her voice, as if she thinks we’re driving through a dreamland, as if she doesn’t know she deserves this and much more. I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to her how worthy she is… how deserving of happiness.
“Are you okay?”
She touches my arm, sending that familiar but tempting heat into my body.
“I’m thinking about the future,” I tell her, as I bring the car to a stop outside the largest house on the street. It’s a six-bedroom sitting behind a silver gate that catches the afternoon sunlight.
I smile as I remember what Violet said a couple of days ago. “I love the way your hair catches the light…”
Before she can respond, I climb out of the car and walk to her side. Pulling the door open, I realize I’m shaking all over, not dramatically, but enough for me to notice it. What if she says no? I can’t let thoughts like that interfere.
She takes my hands and lets me haul her to her feet. She’s wearing a dress she bought a few days ago, light airy fabric, the kind that settles like mist against her curvy body, outlining her enchanting shape.
“Where are we?” she whispers, staring up at me with glistening eyes.
I think my woman senses something important is about to happen.
“Our new home,” I tell her. “It’s almost arranged, but I’m paying cash, so they’re hurrying it along. This is our home with plenty of bedrooms to fill with happiness.”
“But it’s too much,” she says. “Oh, Luke…”
“Nothing is too much for the woman I love.”
I cut off her gasp with a kiss.
“I love you, too,” she says between stolen kisses, and then our lips are on each other again. We’ll never stop being obsessed.
“Is this really ours?”
“Yes,” I say passionately. “Say it again.”
“What? I love you?” She smiles cutely. “Okay… I love you. I love you. I love you.”
That gives me the strength I need to step back, fall to one knee, and reach into my pocket. The sun shines behind her as I stare up, my hand trembling around the ring box.
“Before I met you, I didn’t know who I was. I never thought I’d experience this happiness. I never thought I’d feel this certain about the path my—our—lives are taking. You’ve given me that, and so much more.”
She wipes a tear from her cheek.
“I love you so, so much,” I say. “I can’t imagine life without you.”
“I love you, too,” she whimpers.
“Violet Stone,” I say, opening the ring box and presenting the full diamond. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she yells, her voice flooded with joy, with hope for the future, with us.
I can’t get the ring on her finger fast enough. She holds it up to the light as I stand, staring as it twinkles. Then she throws herself at me. I catch her and kiss her.
EPILOGUE
ONE MONTH LATER
Violet
I walk a few steps behind Luke down the hallway. He’s wearing all black, just like the time he was hired to kill Dad. That feels like a million years ago.