Page 6 of Tormented Billionaire Romance Series

The atmosphereofMaison Blanchewas warm and cozy. My table was covered with fine white cloth with a candle lit in the middle, inviting me to lean forward. Gabe sat across from me as he played with his silverware, fixing it so that each utensil matched perfectly.

I smiled warmly. “This has been such a lovely evening.”

“I'm glad you're enjoying it.”

My smile widened. “And I haven't been here before. It's such a fancy place. We're right in the middle of the restaurant, it seems.”

It's the perfect place for a proposal, I thought giddily.I'm finally getting what I deserve.

“It's the perfect place, isn't it?”

I nodded. “And the food was delectable. I'm sad I couldn't have had much more.”

“I'm glad you had your fill. I want you to enjoy everything.”

“I love that about you.”

“I love everything about you.” He dropped his gaze, his thick lashes batting quickly as he licked his lips. But he never lost his handsome smile. That remained steady. When he raised his eyes to mine, he was smiling internally. I could feel it. “I love everything about you so much that I think it's time for us to take things to the next level.”

“The next level?” I repeated calmly. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that I've spent so much time with you, Clara. Enough time with you to know how you are when people aren't looking.”

I smiled shyly and reached for my glass of wine, swirling it as I listened to him. I felt dreamy. I felt like I was floating and I hadn't even had that much to drink. It was totally the atmosphere—everything felt like a fantasy.

I heard a champagne bottle pop in the distance. The chatter from the next table rose up slightly and then died down as I focused entirely on Gabe.

“You mean so much to me,” he continued. “And you have so much to offer as an interior designer. I feel like you could thrive just about anywhere.”

I blushed. “You're sweet, Gabe.”

“And you're special—somuch so that taking things up a notch would bring me so much pleasure. I think we're ready for this.”

Here it comes.

He reached across the table and took my hand. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

“I mean, you say it often, but you haven't really told me why.”

“I love you because you're a real woman. You're good with your hands and you're creative as hell. You're also sexier than anyone I've ever met.”

“Wow, even sexier than your guy friends?”

He laughed. “And your humor is so refreshing. You're different, Clara. That's what makes you so special to me.”

My eyes softened. “You're different, too. You're not like anyone I've known in the past. You really seem to get me and I can't tell you how much I appreciate that.”

He reached into his pocket, fished around briefly, and then pulled his hand out. His hand was empty. My heart sank slightly but I kept my features calm. Maybe he was just as nervous as I was. I mean, proposing was a huge deal and we were in the very center of the restaurant. If he was hesitant, I could understand.

I licked my lips. “Do you think we're ready?”

“For the next level? Of course, I do, baby! We're ready for just about anything. You and I can create so much together. It would only make sense to move forward like this.”

“I'm ready for it. I want it.”

“I'm so glad to hear you say that. I can't tell you how relieving it is. I know the kind of hang-ups you've had about moving in the past.”

I looked at him quizzically. “Moving?”

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