Page 126 of Consummation

Josh nods, smiling from ear to ear. “I was hoping you’d ask me that.”

I shudder with excitement.

“Go on,” Josh coaxes. “If you dare.”

I giggle. “I’m nervous.”

“Dig deep, baby—be brave.”

“Whew. Okay.” I reach slowly into the box, my Julia-Roberts belly laugh all cued up—oh my God, this is so freakin’awesome!—and, as expected, even before my fingers have touched the sparkling necklace, Josh clamps the lid down on my fingers. And even though I had my Julia Roberts impression ready to rip, I surprise myself by bursting into authentic Kat-Morgan, dude-like guffaws, sending Josh into a fit of hysterical laughter along with me.

When both of us have calmed down a bit, Josh removes the dazzling necklace from the box. “Turn around, hot momma,” he says. “Let’s get this bad boy on you.”

I turn around and I’m rewarded with the sensation of my hair being pushed off my neck and Josh’s soft lips against my Scorpio tattoo—followed by Josh securing the outrageous necklace around my neck.

I touch the dazzling rocks against my skin, trembling. “Oh my freaking God,” I breathe.

“Lemme see you,” Josh says softly. “Turn around.”

I do.

“Gorgeous,” Josh says, his eyes blazing. “Wow.”

I touch the necklace again, feeling slightly faint. “Josh?”

“Yes, my love?”

“If I forget to tell you later: I had a really good time tonight.”

Josh laughs. “Thank you.” He leans forward like he’s going to kiss me, but, instead, he presses his lips against my ear. “It’s all yours, baby,” he whispers, his voice low and sexy.

I stand stock still, holding my breath, positive I’ve misunderstood him. It sounded like Josh said, “It’s all yours, baby.” But what would the “it” in that sentence be? That’s what my brain isn’t comprehending. Josh’s heart? The dress? I pull back and stare at Josh with wide eyes. “Huh?”

Josh cups my face in his large palms. “Thenecklaceis all yours,my love—my gift to you—because I love you with all my heart and soul.”

My entire body jolts. “What?” I shriek.

The look on Josh’s face is utterly priceless—he’s a kid in a candy shop, as excited as I’ve ever seen him. He moves his hands to my shoulders. “My beautiful Kat, marriage isn’t in the cards for us, as you know.” He strokes my hair. “So I’m hoping you’ll accept this necklace as a symbol of my eternal love for you.”

My heart has truly stopped beating. Oh my God, no, wait, now it’s exploding. And, now, holy fuck, it’s bursting out of my chest and hurtling against the hotel wall.

“What?” I say, this time in a hoarse whisper, my eyes bugging out of my head.

Surely, I’m misunderstanding this conversation. The strange words coming out of Josh’s mouth sound remarkably like English, but they’re being strung together in a nonsensical way.

“You’re the great love of my life, Kat,” Josh says, still stroking my hair, gazing into my eyes. “I choose you, baby. That’s what this necklace means. Not because of a piece of paper, not because of the kumquat, but because I want you and no one else. I choose you, Kat, and I hope you choose me, too.Forever.”

I clutch my throat like I’m choking on a big-ass diamond. “Forever?” I blurt. “You choose meforever?”

Josh nods.

“You’re promising to love meforever?”

He nods again.

“And this necklace ismine?”

Josh nods again.

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