Page 81 of Dreams That Bind Us
"They have boat deliveries every day. Look at all the homes and buildings already there, as well as furniture or other supplies we need." He gave her a sweet smile as he sensed victory. "Yours would be no different."
"Huh…" Anna stared off into space for several minutes and James rounded the island, his hands landing on her tight shoulders. She groaned as he kneaded away the tension.
"You don't have to decide right now. Just think about it," he purred in her ear. "There's plenty of time." He hadn't mentioned, other than previous conversations they'd had on the subject before he'd left, that he intended to make the house on Sunset Key his primary residence. But before he committed to that, he wanted her on board.
Of course, he hoped by that time, she'd have agreed to more than just moving in with him.
"Okay. I’ll think about it." She moaned out. "God, your hands feel amazing."
James chuckled. "You should be familiar with how my hands feel by now, Kitten."
"Mmmmmmm…yeah, right there. I think it's a knot."
"It feels like a rock, so I'm inclined to agree with you." The sweet smell of cooking scallops permeated the air, so he dropped a kiss on her head and returned to the stove. Just as he'd hoped, they were perfect. He dumped them in a large dish to rest then turned around and froze.
Anna's teal eyes were brilliant with delight as she stared at him, her mouth parted. “I could watch you cook for me all day.” The love was evident in her gaze and he knew instinctively this was the moment he'd been waiting for.
Patting his pants pocket, he felt the small box, then moved toward her with measured steps. Her lips slowly curling up as he neared, her gaze widening when he dropped to one knee. She audibly gulped, but didn't say a word, just held very still as if she didn’t know what to do.
"I hadn’t mentioned this yet, but my mother reminded me, through you, of a place in her Upper West Side apartment where she liked to hide things." He took her hands in his and kissed her fingers softly. "While I was in New York, I stopped by the apartment before it sold. What you'd told me was right. Shehadleft me a present. Something very important that I would have sorely missed."
He dug in his pocket for the jewelry box and held it up, watching as her lovely lips dropped open. Lifting the lid, he revealed the antique sapphire and diamond ring that had belonged to his great-great grandmother. The two-carat square cut sapphire was circled with another two carats of diamonds with more sloping down each side. It was old world elegance and his mother had always treasured this ring.
"I know this is soon and I realize you just moved in with me." He swallowed what felt like a boulder down his throat, terrified she'd say no. "But when I make my mind up about something, I go for it. Anna, I knew you were mine long before I met you. It was the first moment I saw those beautiful eyes in my sleep. It has always been the dreams that bind us, Kitten. It's how we found each other, and I can’t imagine my life without you."
A tear streaked down her cheek, and he licked his lips, needing to get the words out. "Will you marry me, Anna?"
She held perfectly still for a moment, staring at the ring like it was a snake about to strike. The breath froze in his chest and apprehension twisted his gut and for one horrific second, James wondered if he'd made a terrible miscalculation.
He exhaled with relief and felt his heart began to beat again when she bobbed her head and tears streamed freely down her cheeks.
"Yes! Of course I will."
She threw her arms around his neck as elation washed through his body. He stood and twirled her in a circle as she giggled hysterically. Remembering the box in his hand, he raised her hand.
"Hold on! I want to make it official before you change your mind," he teased. He slid the ring on her finger, watching as she examined the antique piece.
"It's breathtaking."
"Just like you, my love." He drew her in for a steamy kiss, his hands supporting her bottom as her legs wrapped around his hips.
She grinned mischievously. "I guess there's no need to think about Sunset Key now. I'll move my operations when I decide to start up again."
"Thank god!" He set her on her feet and kissed her again. He’d never get enough of her.
Epilogue
Sunset Key, Six months later
Anna stared at her reflection in the mirror as the hairdresser carefully affixed a hot pink rose tiara to her hair, which was artfully styled in an updo with loose platinum curls elegantly framing her face. The tiara perfectly matched her bouquet of roses that sat off to the side.
She couldn’t remember ever looking so radiant and peaceful. It was as if she were a different person. Her eyes, unusually bright today, were luminescent and her skin glowed with a sun kissed look, a result of their recent travels.
James had made good on the promise he’d given the day he proposed. Within a week, he'd shuttled her off on a private jet to all the places in the world she'd always dreamed of visiting: Italy, France, Singapore, Australia—where they'd spent two weeks exploring the continent, Chile, Argentina, Tahiti. It had been a whirlwind tour of the globe and he'd made it happen as if it was a task on a to-do list to be completed.
They'd arrived back in Key West four months later, well rested and more in love than ever, to learn that not only had Aunt Louise been traveling with Carl, but that they'd been secretly married on the southern coast of France. It had beenlove at first sight for those two and Anna couldn't be happier for the pair.
And, finally, today it was her turn to marry the love of her life. In fact, James was waiting outside on the beach along with a handful of friends and the officiant. They'd opted for a small service with a handful of close friends and Anna insisted it be at sunset. She wanted to say 'I do' just as the sun dipped into the ocean and the world turned to night.
