Page 60 of Stolen Holidays
I get about ten steps when Eli tackles me to the ground. “Gotcha.” He flips me over and brushes snow off my cheek with his gloved hand. “I love you.”
“Love you too.” Lying on the snow-covered ground, we share a cold kiss that lights me up like a Christmas tree in front of the warm fire.
“I have another surprise for you,” he says, breaking away from my lips.
“You’re full of surprises today.”
“You have no idea.” He flashes me a sly grin and jumps to his feet. Grabbing my hands, he helps me up. He dusts the snow offmy pants and pecks my lips one more time. Eli leads me to the barn situated close to the main house.
“Why are we going to the barn?” When we first got here, I asked about it. Rylann told me how gorgeous the space had been for her wedding, and I wanted to see for myself. I was disappointed when Hilly said they were using it for storage while the new barn for the animals was being renovated.
Eli grips the door and looks at me. “Aren’t you curious to see what’s inside?”
Curious as hell. Is this why I couldn’t find him yesterday? Was he here? “Is this part of your surprise?”
“Why do you keep answering me with a question?”
I grin. “I learned from the best.”
“Smart-ass.” He tugs it open a crack.
I’m expecting it to be dark inside, but it’s quite the opposite. There is a warm glow of light emanating from inside. Eli opens the door all the way, and I step through it with a gasp.
Thousands of white fairy lights cover the ceiling, the load-bearing posts, and most of the walls. A gorgeous chandelier that looks like it’s made of icicles hangs from the center of the room. White tulle drapes from the rafters and around the room, making the space feel elegant and airy. Evergreen boughs of garland and a variety of decorated Christmas trees surround the room, each one adorned with sparkling glass snowflakes, white flowers, and lights. At the back of the room is an archway wrapped in the same white tulle, lights, greens, and white flowers.
This is where Eli was yesterday. He didn’t lie; he was here, creating this beautiful setting to surprise me.
“It’s beautiful in here.” I turn around and find Eli on one knee.
In his hand is a rectangular black-velvet box, similar to the one my necklace came in. A small twinge of disappointment swirls in my stomach.
He’s on one knee. That can only mean one thing, right?
“Elijiah?” I breathe his name, but the lack of oxygen and anxiety zipping through me like electricity, looking for an exit, has it sounding more like a question. My vision blurs as my eyes water with unshed tears.
“Calliope Astra Cartwright, love of my life.”
When he says my full name, I can’t stop the tears from falling.
“Shh, don’t cry, Cal.” He grasps my left hand and lifts it up. “You know, I’m not always great with words, but I am good with actions, and I hope they’ve proven just how much I love you. My entire world starts and ends with you. For too long, I denied us both what our hearts always knew—we belong together. Felt it the moment you fell into my office and knew it for certain when you fell into my arms. You’ve been saying yes since the night of our first date.”
Even though I’m a sniffling mess, a laugh bubbles out as Eli wickedly grins at me. Heat and desire shine in his ocean eyes, and I know what he’s thinking. The four Cs; collars, churros, chocolate, and cock.
He wiggles his brow at me. “I love you, Princess. Inside and out. From your smart mouth to your sexy ass.”
“Eli.”
“Let me finish.” He pauses.
Biting my smile back, I nod for him to continue.
“I love how your body fits mine like a puzzle piece. I love how you know exactly what I’m thinking and pluck the words right out of my head. I love how you see me and, without a word, understand me, even when I don’t understand myself. I’m the luckiest man alive because I get to fall asleep to your beautiful face every night and wake up to your angelic voice every morning. I want to grow old with you, have babies with you, go on a thousand more tours with you, and build a home together. Everything. I want it all with you. Marry me. Make me the happiest man on the planet.”
He doesn’t ask, and he doesn’t need to. My answer has been and always will be: “Yes. I’ll marry you, Elijiah Miller.”
I lean down, wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him on the mouth. Our lips part, and our tongues greedily tangle to a rhythm all their own—a sensual song unique to us that rises to a crescendo, each note built with love and passion. Our mouths stay fused as Eli stands and snakes his arms around my waist. He pulls me tight to his chest as he deepens the kiss. His heat seeps into me, down to my soul, and I know it’s a promise that he’ll never let me go.
Eli presses his forehead to mine. “Before this goes any further, you need your rings.”
