Page 23 of Wounded Fox
"Here you go." He placed a glass of water and two aspirin on the nightstand next to the bed. "I'm going to start making breakfast while you jump in the shower."
Two minutes ago that sounded like a solid plan, but now that I actually had to put the action into motion, I wasn't sure if it was such a good idea. Hiding under the covers was a much better plan.
"Come on, I'll help you up." Aaron reached down and grabbed both my arms and dragged me up. I didn't exactly resist but I wouldn't say I helped much in the process either. It was then that I realized what I was wearing. My brain had been too foggy to put two and two together before that.
"Is this your shirt?" Like a weirdo, I pulled the neck of it up and took a big whiff. Yup, definitely his. Sandalwood and citrus.
"It is," Aaron chuckled. "Why?"
I looked down once again at the worn material. "Because you're never getting it back." I didn't stick around to continue the discussion, but I figured there wasn't going to be much of one when I heard Aaron laughing behind me.
Once in the bathroom, I turned the shower on as hot as it would go and stripped out of Aaron's shirt. I wasn't kidding when I said he wouldn't be getting that back. The damn thing was softer than anything I owned. I stepped under the spray and let the hot water melt away the pain and fogginess. The longer I stood there, the more the picture of last night became clear.
"Will you marry me?"
There, in Aaron's hand, was the most gorgeous classic solitaire diamond engagement ring I had ever seen.
"Are you serious right now?"
"Like a heart attack. Although I’ve spent decades preparing the perfect speech and all I managed to do was blurt the question out when the time came."
I got down on the floor and knelt with him. "You can still say the speech if you want." Secretly I prayed he would. I wanted to hear how he felt from the bottom of his heart.
Aaron cleared his throat. "Valerie." Emotions appeared to choke him up and I had to squeeze his hand to encourage him to continue. "I've known, since we were ten years old, that you were someone important to me. I just didn't realize it would take until I left town to figure out just how important you were. You aren't just my friend. You're the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. To make every dream come true. I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?"
Water mixed with tears ran down my face. Aaron wasn't joking. Last night was the perfect proposal, and I was so glad I said yes.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Aaron
I was in the middle of flipping an omelet when Valerie rushed into the kitchen and threw her arms around me.
"Careful!" I warned. "The stove is hot."
"I don't care." She squeezed me tight. "I remembered."
I turned off the burner and moved the pan farther back on the stovetop. Breakfast could wait. "You remembered?" I adjusted us so that I was cradling her face and able to look into her beautiful eyes. "You remember my proposal?"
Valerie laughed and cried happy tears. At least, I hoped they were happy ones because if she took back her yes, I didn't know what I would do.
"I do and it was beautiful. I'm sorry it took me a little bit. Damn wine. I won't be drinking that again for awhile."
I chuckled with her. "Maybe just stick to half a glass."
She laid her head against my chest. "Maybe you're right."
We stood like that for a little bit. Me rubbing her back and our breaths in sync. As much as the moment was perfect harmony, I had to ask. "Does that mean the answer is still yes?"
My ring was still on her finger but I needed the words. Preferably when she wasn't drunk.
"Yes." Her whispered answer fanned across my chest. "My answer is still yes."
I ran my hands down her backside until I got to her ass. Then I hauled her up so that I could set her on the kitchen counter. Stepping between her open legs, I got as close as possible.
"You really mean that?" I held her face in my shaky hands and looked into her gorgeous caramel-colored eyes. It was important to me that she was absolutely sure because I couldn't go another day with her hating me.
"With all my heart. I've loved you since we were kids and I never stopped."
