Page 84 of Champagne & Handcuffs
“Joss was able to.”
Seth nodded slowly. “Because she found someone she could trust. You know you can trust me, right?”
I sniffed. “Of course.”
“And you remember all the fun we had having sex?”
I smiled at the memory. “Of course.”
“Then maybe focus on that? Don’t think about the faceless man. Know that it’s me who will be touching you, bringing you pleasure, not pain. It will be me loving you.” He kissed my lips softly.
Seth was right. Instead of thinking about the villain, I needed to think about the good guy. The one who literally wanted to give me the world starting with Fiji.
Our five nightsin Fiji were coming to an end. We’d snorkeled, paddle boarded, sunbathed, walked on the beach and just relaxed. Seth and I still hadn’t had sex, though. He wasn’t trying, and I was trying to get out of my head. It didn’t stop us from making out like teenagers whenever we got the urge. Each night when we’d kiss before bed, we got one step closer to going all the way. It was as though I was a virgin again. Oddly enough, I wasn’t this nervous the first time around. The first time with Seth—with anyone.
Now it was our final night, and Seth had planned for us to have dinner on the beach. The night couldn’t have been more perfect. The sunset was beautiful red, pink, yellow and orange shades, the weather wasn’t too hot or cold, and the wind blew a light breeze. And I was experiencing it all with my man.
We were led to a table not far from the waves hitting the shore, two glasses of champagne were poured, and then we were left to enjoy the night as we waited for our dinner.
“The trip went fast,” Seth stated after taking a sip of his drink.
“It did,” I agreed. “I don’t want to leave.”
He nodded. “Neither do I.”
“Are you going to go back to D.C. right away?”
We hadn’t talked about what was going to happen when we’d return to the States. I never brought it up because I didn’t want to hear him tell me he had to go back. I’d become used to going to bed each night with him, and waking up every morning to his smiling face. The first thing I needed to do when I returned home was get a dog. I needed someone to cuddle with while I waited for each visit. Would it be days? Weeks? Months? The thought made me sad.
“I don’t want to.” He sighed and looked out to the endless waters as though he was thinking.
“I don’t want you to either,” I confessed.
Seth thought for a moment, still looking out at the water and then he turned back to me. “I can look into finding a job in Miami.”
My eyes lit up. “Yeah?”
“Kitty Cat, I’d do anything for you.” He grabbed my hand and leaned toward me from across the table. “Even if that means leaving the one place I’ve always called home. I don’t care. I once chose my career before fighting for you, and that led to years of being miserable. I don’t want to go down that road again.”
“Me either.” I nodded.
Seth grinned. “But you see, if I’m willing to pack up and move to you, you need to do something for me.”
I tilted my head slightly. “What’s that?”
Seth’s smile widened, and before I knew it, he was sliding from his chair and down on one knee in front of me. My world stopped. The waves, the birds, the moon. Everything stood still except for Seth as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a diamond ring. The flames from the candles on the table reflected against it, and my breath caught as I stared at the round diamond on a band that looked like two vines wound together.
“Marry me.”
I didn’t have to think. My brain, my heart, and my body were all screaming the right answer.
“Yes.”
I couldn’t eatmy dinner fast enough. It was some sort of fish, but all I could focus on was the diamond on my left hand.
“I hope you like it.” Seth took a bite of his food.
“Are you kidding me? It’s gorgeous!” Not only was the band woven together like a vine, but one side had petite diamonds along the band and solid on the other.
