Page 117 of Sweet Poison

I glance down at the plates, half expecting some steak or something hearty. “You love that fresh shit so…” he shrugs, as if it’s no big deal.

I feel a warmth spread through me, my heart pumping faster than before. The man hates vegetables. I’ve seen him pick at them while we had dinner but for me he’s willing to try.

“Hey, Madden…”

“Yes, Wild One?”

“Thank you.”

He looks at me, genuinely puzzled. “For?”

“For being you.”

His black eyes soften, and he swears softly under his breath, his voice low and full of emotion. “Fuck, baby. The things you say…”

I shrug, my heart full. “You make it easy loving you.”

Something flashes in his eyes, something like surprise.

He reaches forward, tucking a curl behind my ear, melting me completely.

“And you, my dearest Willow…” His finger traces my lips gently, sending a shiver down my spine. “Make loving you feel like breathing.”

A smile—radiant and pure as the stars twinkling above us—spreads across my face, and I see his own smile widen in response.

God, that smile.

With that, we continue to share appetizers, conversation flowing effortlessly, our laughter blending with the sound of the waves crashing the distance. As the meal arrives, we continue sharing stories, opening up about things we hadn’t discussed before. He tells me about the rush he felt when he won the F1championship here in Brazil, and I share memories from my time at college. We talk about everything—our jobs, our dreams, and the moments that shaped us—until the minutes start to tick down to midnight.

The air hums with anticipation for the brand-new year, the beach is alive with energy, but all I can focus on is the beautiful man sitting across from me.

“It’s almost midnight…” I whisper.

He leans in, his expression shifting to something more serious, and I feel my heart skips a thousand beats.

“I need to ask you something, Willow,” he says, his voice low and steady, cutting through the festive noise around us. My heart quickens, nerves and excitement swirling in my chest. The look on his eyes tells me that whatever he’s about to say is something important.

“What is it?” I whisper back, my eyes locking onto his, trying to read the emotion dancing in his gaze. “What do you want to know?”

Madden shifts, his voice rough but still steady, filled with sincerity. “I want to know if you’ll make me the luckiest fucker on earth by marrying me.”

His words hang in the air, surreal and heart-stopping. Time seems to slow, and I feel the world around us fade into the background, leaving only him, the moonlight, the ocean, and the soft flicker of white lights around us. My heart races, a rush of disbelief, joy, and love flooding my chest.

“Is this really happening?” I whisper, my voice barely a breath, searching his eyes for any sign of doubt. But there is none— just unwavering sincerity and love.

He nods, his expression soft yet resolute. “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life. Before you, I never looked forward to tomorrow. But with you, Willow… I look forward to forever. You make me happier than I ever thoughtpossible. You chase away the bad thoughts with just one smile, and I can’t imagine my future without you. I can’t imagine a day where I don’t get to kiss you. To love you.”

Tears prickle at my eyes, the reality of this moment settling into my soul. I think back to every moment that brought us here—every laugh, every touch, every sweet and magical moment.

This is the moment — the one I’ve dreamed of since the very first time I laid eyes on him.

As the countdown to midnight echoes in the distance, my heart feels like it’s about to explode. I realize this is the perfect way to usher in the new year—by stepping into one magical future with the love of my existence. I smile through my tears, the joy bubbling up inside me.

“Y-yes,” I whisper, trembling. “A thousand times yes!”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, Madden’s eyes light up, and he reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. My breath catches in my throat as he opens it, revealing a stunning ring—a large green diamond, its brilliant cut shimmering as if Madden had a star pulled from the night sky just for me.

Green.

---