Page 122 of Fanged Embrace
“Speaking of cute moments,” River’s hands circled my waist and her brows flew up as she filled me in on the latest gossip. “Did you hear? Arlon got a second date.”
“You’re joking.” I titled my head. “So the first one actually wentwell? I didn’t know he had it in him.”
River laughed aloud and nudged me with her chin. “Give the guy some credit, damn. The woman Caden set him up with is apparently a private detective too. The two of them hit it off spectacularly. According to Caden they’ve been getting along like a house on fire and Arlon’s been walking around with heart eyes for the past few days. The guy’s practically floating.”
“Well,” I giggled into her shoulder, lips tracing the line of her collar, “good for him.”
“Yeah.” River bared her neck to let me pepper kisses up herthroat. “If it all goes smoothly he might just bring her along to Hunter and Addison’s wedding.”
“I forgot about the wedding!” I jolted upright, and River let out a breathyoofwhen I abruptly piled all my weight on her stomach. “Sorry—but, wait, I thought the wedding was postponed? Hunter told me they wanted to wait until the dust completely settled after everything with the organization.”
“I’d say things are pretty smoothed over by now.” River shrugged, and cracked a smile. “And knowing Hunter, she probably just got impatient. They’ve set a date for next month.”
“Oh my god!” I gripped her shirt in my fists. “We have to get them a wedding gift.”
River nodded sagely on her back. “Yep. I’m thinking a scalpel for Addison and maybe a muzzle for Hunter—she talks too much these days.”
I scowled but there wasn’t much venom behind it, not when the sight of her smiling had butterflies fluttering in my chest. “Be serious. We have to get them something nice.”
“It is nice!” River retorted with a smirk. “I’m sure Addison will appreciate a break from her fiancée’s incessant yapping.”
I rolled my eyes and tilted to the side, toppling off her and lying flat on my back. “You’re ridiculous.”
River followed the motion and rolled onto her side, propping an elbow under her head. She hummed thoughtfully, walking her fingers across the space between us. “So… Would you ever want something like that? You know…” Her gaze sidled up to mine and flicked away again. “Mariage?”
My eyebrows shot up, surprise evident in my startled squeak. “Isthishow you’re choosing to propose?”
River looked equally startled and quickly shook her head. “I’m not proposing! I'm just curious!”
“Oh.” I clamped down on the sudden jolt of disappointment and picked at a stray thread in the rug. “Well, I?—”
“But now that you mention it…” A mischievous spark lit up in River’s eye and she hurriedly got to her feet. “Wait here.” Before I could form a coherent response, she darted out into the hallway, and I could hear her rummaging noisily through her many,manybelongings.
Bewildered, I hauled myself upright, crossing my legs beneath me and waiting with growing curiosity. River emerged a moment later, holding a beautifully ornate jewelry box, mumbling under her breath as she sifted through its contents.
“Ah-ha!” she exclaimed, triumphant. My eyes widened as she pulled out an intricate ring, obviously antique, and incredibly beautiful. “This was my grandmother’s. It’s something of a family heirloom.”
“What is—” I began but immediately cut myself off. Because River was kneeling in front of me.
My breath froze in my lungs. River’s eyes shone brilliantly, brimming with a warmth that made my heart leap wildly in my chest. She was right there, inches from my face, looking at me with such intensity it felt like she was looking directly into my soul.
I knew, logically, I should probably be standing for this, but I wasn’t sure my legs would actually support me if I tried. Instead, I sat there, paralyzed, staring back at her like a deer caught in headlights, barely breathing.
River swallowed visibly, the confident grin fading into a tender, hopeful smile. She reached out, fingers brushing my cheek softly, then lifted the ring between us.
“Laurie Montgomery.” She spoke softly, voice trembling ever so slightly with emotion. “What do you say…? Will you marry me?”
I opened my mouth. Closed it again. My heart pounded relentlessly, fireworks exploding inside my skull. The room spun briefly, and I blinked away the sudden tears that pricked at my vision. River waited patiently, eyes searching mine.
“Yes,” I finally croaked out in a raspy whisper, my voice emerging crackly and raw.
River tilted her head, concern creeping into her expression. “Are you sure? Because you kind of look like you’re about to have a stroke.”
Laughter bubbled up in my chest, breaking free with sudden abandon, and in the next instant I launched myself forward, tackling River and sending both of us sprawling onto the floor in a tangle of limbs.
“Yes!” I practically shouted it, peppering her face with rapid kisses between each ecstatic repetition. “Yes, yes, of course I’ll marry you!”
River laughed breathlessly beneath me, her arms tightening around my waist as she held me close, our hearts beating wildly together.
