Page 105 of The Attraction

As he opens the door and walks out with steam swirling behind him, I can’t wait any longer, and my heart starts racing for two reasons. One is because of the drop-dead gorgeous man standing in front of me with just a towel wrapped around his waist, wet hair, and his skin still glistening from the dampness. The glint in his eyes tells me he knows exactly how he is affecting me.

But the second reason my heart is racing are the words that are on the tip of my tongue.

“What’s wrong, beautiful, are you okay? You look a little pale.” Forrest’s smile is instantly gone from his face, and he moves toward me.

I hold my hand up in front of me, signaling for him to stop. “I’m okay, I promise, I just need to talk to you,” I begin, trying to get out what I’ve had planned in my head for days now.

“Now you’re scaring me,” he replies, and I can tell he is concerned.

“Don’t be.” Taking a deep breath, I start with my memorized words.

“Forrest, you came into my life and turned it upside down. Pushing me to open up to you, calling me ridiculous names, and showing me that sex can mean so much more than a means to an end. Putting your life on the line to fight for me, which I will forever be grateful for. You taught me to feel again and allow myself to be loved and to love in return, a gift I never thought I deserved.” Feeling a tear trickle down my cheek, I’m trying so hard to hold myself together. “I know this is quick and totally out of character for me, and certainly not the norm, but I am also a person who doesn’t like a fuss.” Taking a step closer to him now, I take his hand in mine. “Will you marry me, here, tonight, with just our friends around us? Standing up and promising to always fight for me and reminding me every day that I’m worthy of your love?” My whole body is quivering, and I feel like I can’t breathe as I wait for his answer.

“Are you sure this is what you want? No big white puffy dress, your family around you, and the romantic proposal I would’ve planned?” Forrest’s words hit me hard because he hasn’t answered me yet.

“It doesn’t always have to be the man to ask, you know, women can do it too.” My voice is getting a little snarky now as I start to panic that he isn’t going to say yes.

“That’s not what I said, Harper. I just don’t want you to regret this. Because I will marry you right here, standing in just my towel, if that’s what you want. Damn, woman, I already told you I was never letting you go, and I meant it. I don’t care how quick this is, because I’m ready. I love you so much that every day I wake up and wonder how I got so lucky.” He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses me softly. “So yes, Harper, I will marry you here in some tiny chapel if that’s what you want. And I don’t care who asked who, just having a ring on your finger and to be able to call you my wife is more than I ever hoped for.” Forrest looks deep into my soul, and I know that he accepts me just as I am, and that’s all I can ask for.

Dropping my hand, Forrest reaches out and takes my face, pulling me toward him, and his lips take mine in the most loving kiss, helping breathe life back into me before I pass out. The taste of soap on his lips and the arousing cologne that he has just put on surrounds me. It’s that same scent I smelled on my pillows those first few nights when he would sneak in to protect me. I have told him on several occasions he is never allowed to change what he wears, because to me, that is part of my safe feeling every time he wraps his arms around me.

As my hands roam his bare back, I can feel my body coming alive, but it will have to wait. Pulling back from the kiss that was getting more sensual by the second, I look up at him.

“Are you sure? I know I always said I’d never have a relationship or get married, but I figured I had already broken one of my rules, so why not break the other one too.” My old habit of trying to lighten the moment when I start to feel insecure has Forrest scowling at me.

“Don’t do that.” Again, he calls me out on my behavior because he knows that’s what I need him to do. “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life. If I had known this was even an option, I would’ve been down on one knee by now and trying to make you officially mine. So yeah, beautiful, I’m more than ready, let’s go do this.” Letting me go, he steps back a little from me. “I just think the photos might look better if I get dressed first.”

We both start laughing as I point to the clothes I placed on the bed, ready for him.

“I didn’t pack these.” His smile tells me he knows very well I did. “So, I guess this is how it’s going to be once that ring is on my finger. I just learn to say yes ma’am and do as I’m told.” Pulling the bone-colored linen pants on, it’s like a light bulb goes off in his head. “Shit, rings, we don’t have anything…” His words stop as I pull a ring box out of my handbag. “Why am I not surprised?”

Opening up the box, he looks at two wedding bands tucked into the silk-covered foam.

“I bought the wedding bands, but I would still love you to pick my engagement ring once we get back home. I know I took the proposal away from you, but that way we will both have a part in the engagement, for however short of an engagement it will be.” I can see the joy in his eyes, and then a smirk comes across his face.

“What’s that look for?” I close the ring box and put it back in my bag.

“I have a bit of a confession… I may have already bought a ring and have it in my safe at home, on the slim chance that one day you might have come around to wanting to be with me forever.” His eyes drop, and he looks a bit sheepish.

“When did you buy it?” I ask.

“The day after you gave yourself to me again, and I promised you that from that night on I was never letting you go. I wanted to be prepared for when the time was right. I just can’t tell you how elated I am that I don’t have to wait anymore.” He kisses me on the cheek as he picks up his white shirt and starts buttoning it up. His outfit will match perfectly with my off-white knee-length wrap dress that has flowing sheer sleeves. Simple but stylish. “But can I just ask one favor? For my parents’ sake, can we have a low-key celebration once we are home? It can be just your family and mine, but I think they all deserve to share in our immense love for each other.”

My heart is bursting inside that he was on the same page as me with our unbreakable bond.

“I think that will be just perfect.” Looking him up and down, the warm feeling that is running through my body is so soothing. “I love you so much,” I whisper as emotion starts to overwhelm me.

“I love you too, snookums, more than I ever thought possible.”

“Don’t you dare say anything like that in our vows!” I try to pretend I’m annoyed, but it doesn’t work one bit as he picks me up and spins me around.

“Challenge accepted, just you wait.” His deep laugh tells me he is as happy as I am.

“Forrest!” I let out as I start giggling too.

The only thought that runs through my mind is that I hope our lives never change and are always like this.

Crazy, ridiculous, and full of love.

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