Page 118 of Dearest Protector

Blackwood Technologies was important to both of the brothers, but it wasn’t Ben’s entire life anymore.

He knew when to stop working, thank God.

Ben Blackwood was finally happy, his life was balanced, and occasionally, he did something he wanted just for himself instead of other people or his business. I’d do almost anything to see him stay like this for the rest of his life.

After all that he’d been through, he deserved it.

The man jumped through hoops to make sure I was happy, and I wanted to be certain that I was always doing the same for him.

He’d arranged this entire trip to New York just to give me peace of mind and to get my questions answered.

I leaned forward and locked my lips with his, trying to show him just how appreciative I was of everything he did for me.

He put his hand on the back of my head and kept me in place while he explored my mouth thoroughly.

“Like that?” I questioned breathlessly when he finally released my mouth. “Do you want me to thank you like that?”

He grinned. “Just like that,” he agreed. “I’ll never argue if you want to kiss me like that to say thank you.”

God, I adored this man and the way that he loved me.

He accepted everything about me thatwasn’tattractive; he actually loved every flaw I had.

The crazy man thought I was the most beautiful woman on the planet, which made mefeelbeautiful.

He didn’t want to change me.

And most importantly, his love was unconditional and seemingly endless.

He could be stubborn sometimes, especially when it came to my security, but I really didn’t mind because even that concern was coming from a place of love and concern for my well-being.

I’d happily put up with his security guys tailing me when he wasn’t around if that’s what it took to ease his mind.Hispeace of mind was important to me, too.

“Have I told you lately what an incredible man you are, Ben?” I asked softly as I ran a loving hand along his rugged jawline.

“Yes,” he replied. “But it never hurts to hear it again, especially today.”

I tilted my head as I looked at him. “Just today?”

He shook his head. “Notjusttoday, but those words make me feel a little better about the question I want to ask you.”

He gently lifted me and sat me back into my seat on the couch.

I watched as he pulled something from the pocket of his jeans and turned toward me.

Our gazes locked, and the look in his eyes took my breath away.

My heart began to skitter as I realized exactly what question he was going to ask.

“Maybe this is much too soon, and if it is, you can just tell me,” Ben said huskily. “But I can’t wait another fucking moment to ask you if you’ll marry me, Ariel. Maybe I shouldn’t be so damn impatient. Believe me, I’m happy with the way things are now, but I want you to live with me permanently, and I want you to know that you’re my future. The wedding doesn’t have to happen soon, but I want my damn ring on your finger so that every man who sees you knows that you’re already mine.”

I gasped as he opened the box he was holding.

The diamond winking at me was almost spellbinding.

There was a gorgeous and somewhat large solitaire in the middle flanked by multiple smaller diamonds resting on what I assumed was a platinum band.

It wasn’t so large that it was gaudy.

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