Page 108 of Liberating Bells
39
IZABEL
My lips partas I watch Ryan take a knee in front of me, letting out a little gasp. I knew the moment I saw the lanterns and the trees that this was happening tonight, but still. Nothing could have fully prepared me for the moment Ryan got down on one knee.
I’ve dreamed about this moment for so long; now that it’s finally happening, it almost doesn’t feel real. My chest aches with love for this man, the kind of love I can’t wait to feel for the rest of my life.
“Izabel Marie Sanders,” Ryan whispers, his green eyes locked on mine, unwavering. “I didn’t think it was possible to love a person as much as I love you.
“We have come a long way since we hated each other as kids. We started as enemies, loathing each other’s existence. Then, when all we had was each other, we came to rely upon and trust one another. I knew then that this was meant to happen between us. We were meant to be together. And even though it took a few obstacles, here we are. We’ve overcome so much, and I want to be everything you need in your life and more.”
“Ryan,” I whisper, feeling my whole body alight with his words.
“Bells, I love you more than anything,” he says, his voice shaky as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a box. My heart hammers in my chest as he opens it, displaying the most gorgeous diamond ring I’ve ever seen.
He holds it up for me and gives me a sultry smile. “Would you please do me the extreme honor of becoming my wife?”
I feel my face split with a giant smile. Lowering myself to the ground, so I can be closer to him, I nod eagerly. “Yes. Yes, Ryan, of course, I’ll be your wife!”
He grins back at me and lifts my left hand, sliding the ring onto my fourth finger. Once the ring is where it’s supposed to be, his lips claim mine in a soul-searing kiss. “I’m the happiest man in the world right now, you don’t even know.”
“I believe you,” I whisper against him. My arms trail up and around his neck, and I hold him to me while I kiss him senseless. When I pull away, I give him a wry smile. “I’m the happiest woman in the world.”
Ryan brushes a strand of hair behind my ear and lets his eyes roam my face. “You’re beautiful and kind, and strong, and everything I could ever want in a partner to go through life with. It’s always been you, Bells.”
My smile only grows as I press myself against Ryan, letting him hug me. I meant what I said a few minutes ago; I don’t think I have ever been this happy in my entire life. This moment trumps everything else, every ceremony, every event, everything. I get to be Ryan’swife,and he gets to be myhusband.
I picture myself hosting all the historical society galas in the future, making rounds and thanking people for attending. Ryan goes with me, with my hand tucked carefully into the crook of his elbow. Every time I stop to say hello, I introduce the man next to me. “This is Ryan, my husband.”
Energy is tingling through my body with the thoughts, and I hold him tighter, closing my eyes and letting out a happy sigh.
When I open my eyes again, I glance around the clearing, taking in the setup again. The fairy lights are twinkling in the dark, illuminating the trees they’re wrapped around. And paper lanterns! Something so simple shouldn’t be so magical. It’s the most beautiful proposal I’ve ever seen, and he did it all for me.
“How did you pull all of this off?” I mumble into his chest. He was with me all day. I don’t think we were apart for more than five minutes.
“Josie and Juliet did it.”
I pull away and look up at him in surprise. “They’re here?” I turn to the left and right to make sure they’re not going to jump out at me any second.
He chuckles. “No, they’re nothere, here. Liam rented a cabin about thirty minutes away, and they’re all staying there. They even brought Ashton with them. They’ll be by tomorrow morning for a celebratory brunch.”
“So, they knew this whole time?” I ask, pieces now falling into place. I extend my hand in front of me, straightening my fingers out. I look at the engagement ring and tilt it, making it sparkle in the fairy light. “That’s why Jules was so insistent on getting manicures this week.”
“Ha, yeah, she told me that was nonnegotiable,” Ryan laughed. “Your best friend can be very persistent.” He grabs my hand and looks at the ring sitting on it. A satisfied smirk settles on his lips; he likes what he sees.
“No, I definitely don’t. But I mean it. Seeing my ring on your finger does things to me,” he says darkly, laughing under his breath.
My body lights up. “What kinds of things?”
Ryan gets a devilish smirk on his face, and he leans toward me so he can whisper in my ear. “Hot, dirty, unspeakable things.”
I suck in a sharp breath and meet his smoldering eyes with mine. It doesn’t matter that we had steamy shower sex earlier today, I’m ready to go again. All night if he’s up for it. “I think you promised me a bath if I went on this stupid walk with you.”
Ryan’s eyes flare, and he grabs my hand. “You’re right, and I always deliver on my promises.”
He gives my hand a yank, pulling me behind him. I yelp out a laugh and follow his footsteps. He doesn’t stop until we’re back in the cabin right in front of the master bathroom. Ryan’s hands go to my coat and make quick work of undoing all the buttons before he pushes it down my shoulders and then does the same for his. Then they’re tossed off to the side, forgotten.
The big bathtub starts filling up with warm water as our lips stay connected in a languid, passionate kiss. Once it’s full, Ryan instructs me to get in first. I feel my cheeks heating as I try to maneuver my body into the tub. Water sloshes over the sides. After I’m finally settled, Ryan sinks behind me. He gently pulls on my shoulders, leaning me back, allowing my back to rest against his front. His hands circle my waist and rest on my abdomen.
