Page 132 of Eye of the Hurricane
I make my way slowly down the aisle that’s been carved out with smoothed sand and candlelight. When I reach Ares, he’s got tears in his eyes which immediately cause mine to fall.
“Yes,” I blurt out. He chuckles.
“Oh no, I prepared a speech, honey. You have to listen to it.” I nod quickly. My heart is hammering in my chest and I feel filled to the brim with love. I know my answer, I don’t care if he pulls a bread tie out of his pocket to put on my ring finger.
“Last year, my mentor told me that I had all of the technical skill to make it as an artist, but none of the emotion needed to make art. You kissed me for the first time and she never said those words to me again. You quite literally are the sun, Katherine. You cast light on every corner of my life. Before you, I felt like the point of life was having fun. I know now that the point of my life is spending it with you.” He pauses and takes a deep breath. I’m mildly aware that our friends are watching, but my eyes are locked on him.
“I know that a year ago, the idea of marriage would’ve sent you running. I also know it’s because the last thing you ever wanted was to be nothing more than someone’s wife. Let me lay your fears to rest. You are, and will always be, so much more to me. Being a wife—my wife—is the least impressive thing you’ll accomplish in your life, I just hope you’ll do me the honor of accomplishing it anyway. You’re a badass. You’re managing the PR department of an NHL team straight out of college. You’re strong and you’re firm.
Most of all, you’re dedicated. More than I’ve ever seenanother person be. You’ll be more than a wife. You’ll be my best friend, my partner, and my muse. Above all of that, though, you’ll beyou.This won’t change that. I love you, more than I could ever put into words or a painting. Will you please put me out of my misery and marry me, honey?” His smile spreads across wet cheeks as he opens the little box to show me a beautiful ring. It’s a cushion-cut diamond on a fully diamond-crusted band.And it’s arock.
“Yes.” I fall to my knees in front of him to kiss him. He chuckles at the act. “I love you. Yes, yes, yes!” I cry against his lips. For a single second he pulls away from me and slips the ring onto my finger.
I’m locked in that moment with him for an immeasurable amount of time. At some point, we land back on earth and reality. We stand to our feet and our friends come running over to congratulate us.
It’s a human puddle of tears, squeals, and bright smiles.
The sense of family here with these people is something I’ve never experienced in my life. Even when I lived at home, we were never close, there was never a safety net to fall back on.
A part of me I didn’t know was broken has been healed by them. The greatest thing Ares has ever given me is himself. The second greatest thing he has given me is his family, who have become my own in many ways.
“So which one of you had the bright idea to tell me it was a paint-and-sip right at the time it gets dark?” I ask, laughing. Everyone’s eyes fall to Ravyn and she looks guilty.
“Okay, yeah. That’s my bad. In my defense, no one had an issue with it until you asked in the car!” She defends.
“Can never go down alone, can you, Ray?” Ares asks, laughing.
“Never. Misery loves company.”
“I can’t believe both of my babies are getting married,” Ares’ mom, Allison, cuts in. “You just got engaged,” she adds, wrapping an arm around Ares. “And your wedding is in just a couple of months,” she gushes, throwing her other arm around Roman. “Can I ask about grandkids yet?” she asks and all us have the same reaction.
“No!” We all exclaim with wide eyes and she laughs.
“I will get some eventually though, right?” She looks back and forth between Roman and Ares. They both give her assuring nods.
“I’m ready to be Pop-Pop Ken,” their dad chimes in.
Ares squints his eyes at him. “Pop-Pop? Where the hell did that come from?”
“I saw it online and thought it was cute. Isn’t it cute?” Allison laughs, rubbing a supportive hand on Ken’s bicep.
“Sure it is, Hon.”
“Are we all going back to Roman and Audra’s to celebrate?” Ravyn asks.
“No can do, I have to go tend to business,” Ares says. I have no idea what business he’s talking about. That is, until he lowers his voice and elaborates. “I have to get her out of that dress,” he says holding his fist up for someone to bump it with their own. Instead, his mom whacks him on the back of the head.
“Ew,” she says.
“In front of Mom is insane,” Roman says, shaking his head.
Ares opensour front door just slightly too hard, causing it to slam against the wall behind it. I might be more concerned or even check the wall for damage if his lips weren’t all over me. He kicks the door shut with his shoe.
The second it clicks behind us, he backs me into the wall. He lifts my leg to hook around his hip.
Fingertips trail up my smooth skin and tease at the edge of my panties. The contact is enough to arch my back off the wall and into his chest. He breaks the barrier and his fingers dip under the fabric.
He drags them through my juices before bringing his glistening fingers between our mouths, close enough to touch both of our lips.
