Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
I had my guesses. Either he was popping the question during the cruise, or right after we got home. He’d had a plan for his initial proposal, two rings included. Then everything had gone sideways with his health, so now he was working on plan number two.
I looked out the window on my side and released a breath.
Well. I’d known this day was coming for years, hadn’t I?
He’d kept his promise. He’d never left my side—and I hadn’t left his. But now that we actually had each other, I found myself wanting to go all the way, at least with symbolism. Marriage as a concept had never impressed me, but I did like the ritual of it, the meaning behind it.
Noa was surprisingly much like me on the topic. It was probably the most adult conversation we’d ever had, when we’d agreed that it was best we tied the knot at some point for practical reasons. Romance and love didn’t equal marriage for us. I loved that he carried my name, that was it. That piece of paper was just…yeah, a shortcut for rights and benefits.
We would do it up our style, though. We’d talked about a destination wedding, maybe on the top of a mountain or underwater, surrounded by sea turtles and exotic fish. Something fun and adventurous, because he was making me wanna go back to some of the hobbies I’d had before I’d ended up in that damn chair.
I just had new reasons for chasing a burst of adrenaline, and it was simply to enjoy excitement with him. My biggest drug in life was to see Noa’s eyes light up.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
I tilted my head Lucian’s way as we crept forward the length of one car. “Lemme see that penny.”
He chuckled.
I cleared my throat and shifted in my seat. I didn’t fucking do well sitting still for longer periods of time. Those irritating tingles told me my legs were going numb.
“I was thinking about marriage, actually,” I admitted.
“Oh?” He was surprised. No wonder. “Are you and Noa…?”
“We’re in no rush,” I said. “One day, absolutely. We’ll terrify you and Cam with a ceremony in an alligator pond or something.”
He snorted softly, his dry amusement in full effect. “It wouldn’t surprise me one bit.”
Or we could swim with sharks. We’d actually talked about it for a vacation.
Lucian slipped a hand to my thigh and rubbed it firmly.
I exhaled. Fuck, that felt good. He always knew what I needed.
“I suppose I was more thinking about the symbolism behind it,” I said. “And, uh…” I eyed his hand, picturing what it would look like with a gold band. Except, on the other hand. Goddammit. He’d always been braver than me. More open, more assertive. So I was just gonna come out and say it. “Okay, the thing is—the day you and Cam get hitched—you know, in your overly romantic, alligator-free ceremony—I’ll be happy for you. I’ll feel that shit deep down, knowing you’ve finally reached a finish line you’ve wanted practically since the day you met Cam.”
He furrowed his brow. “I’m sensing a but.”
“No, that’s my thigh, and it feels so goddamn good,” I almost groaned. Jesus, right there. His hands were magical.
“Are you sure you didn’t have a one-night stand with a woman named Christine approximately twenty-two years ago?”
I grinned.
“It would explain so much.”
“Afraid not,” I chuckled.
He gave me a go-on look.
Right. I got back on track. “No buts. Just—I want something like that with you too. Something that ties us together. There. I said it.”
Fuck me if I didn’t feel exposed. I didn’t like it one bit.
My chest felt weird, and my stomach tightened.
Over the years, he’d put up with so much of my shit. My cowardice, my denial, my embarrassment. Then after the accident, he’d cranked it up even more. My staying with him had become permanent. He’d taken care of me through doctor’s appointments, rehabilitation sessions, my bursts of rage, and my depression. I’d been bordering on suicidal, and he’d pulled me out of the darkness.
I swallowed hard and rubbed at my chest. I didn’t need to get emotional, for chrissakes.
Lucian cleared his throat and withdrew his hand. Traffic was easing up a little. “You know, I’ve been so focused on making things right with Cam that I’ve neglected—”
“You haven’t neglected shit, baby.” I had to make that crystal clear.
“Nevertheless—I want that too, KC.” He grabbed my hand and kissed it. “Can you leave it to me?”
I frowned, confused. “Leave what? Don’t go planning a collaring ceremony. I just want…I don’t know. Something.”
“And leave that something to me, please. I assure you, there won’t be any alligators or planes to jump out of.”
I felt my mouth twitch. “Well, now you’re taking all the fun out of it.”
He shook his head in amusement and kissed my hand again.