Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 102339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Anson’s blue eyes swept back up my body and landed on my bare neck. He smiled and walked over to me.
“You look absolutely beautiful, Bri. You take my breath away.”
“And you look handsome. My knees nearly buckled out from under me when I saw you.”
He smiled and then let his gaze fall back to my neck. I felt my hand go up, my fingertips moving across my skin. The way he was looking at me made my entire body heat. I looked to the right to see that Lanny had slipped out of the room.
“I don’t actually have to go tonight. We could stay home, and I could peel that dress off you.”
My cheeks started to burn from my smile. I had to admit it felt pretty nice to get all dressed up.
“But I’ll let you make that call. I have something for you,” he said. “When I went and picked up my tux, I saw it in the window of a jewelry store and thought it would be perfect for tonight.”
He held out a Cartier box, and I held my breath as he opened it.
“Anson! It’s beautiful!” I gasped.
“It’s white gold set with six brilliant-cut diamonds. I love the simplicity of it. It’s elegant in a timeless way. Almost too beautiful to describe with words. It reminds me of you.”
I felt the tears well up in my eyes, and I inwardly cursed myself for getting so emotional. But the dress, the earrings, and now the necklace—it was all so much.
“Turn around and let me put it on.”
I turned and watched him in the full-length mirror as he put the necklace on me. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him or ignore the way my stomach fluttered at the brush of his hands on my bare skin.
He looked up, and our eyes met. I leaned back against him when I felt my body sway.
“Marry me, Bri.”
“W-what?”
“Will you marry me?”
I spun around and looked at him.
“We just got back together, Anson!” I said with a soft laugh.
“I don’t care. I’ve loved you damn near my whole life. We’ve already wasted enough time. So, I’ll ask you again. Will you marry me?”
My hand came up to my mouth, and I failed to keep my sobs at bay. I nodded, then dropped my hand.
“Yes! Of course, I’ll marry you.”
He pulled me into his arms, and I lost the battle with my emotions and cried.
“You just made me the happiest man alive, Baby.”
I laughed and then sobbed and laughed again. I wasn’t sure if I was laughing or crying. All I knew was that I was happy. The happiest I’d ever been.
Anson drew back, and I instantly felt the loss.
“Shit, I know this is fast, but I feel it in the very depths of my soul that this is right.”
As I wiped my tears away, careful not to ruin my makeup, I nodded. “I couldn’t agree more.”
“About which part?”
Laughing, I replied, “All of it!”
“Stay right here,” he said as he walked quickly to his closet. I heard him opening what sounded like a safe. He came out with a black box.
And now my knees really were giving out. I had to walk over and grab onto the back of the chair that sat in front of the fireplace.
Anson got down on one knee and took my left hand in his.
“I’ve been hanging onto this ring since Grams gave it to me when I was fourteen.”
My right hand came up to my mouth, and I knew for a fact I was now at the point of ugly sobs. The ones where you try to keep them in but fail big time, only making it worse.
“I knew there was only one girl I’d ever give it to. And I was a stupid idiot for letting her go the first time—so this time, I intend on making sure she knows she’s mine.”
“Oh my God, Anson!” I cried as he opened the ring box. A stunning round diamond was haloed with smaller brilliant diamonds set in a white gold band that was lined with more brilliant diamonds.
Tears rolled down my face as he placed the ring on my finger. It was a perfect fit, and I wanted to ask him how in the world he had pulled that off, but I didn’t say a word. I stared at the beautiful vintage ring in stunned silence. Well, if you didn’t count my sobs.
“It’s…it’s…beautiful!”
He stood, and I threw myself into him. He laughed and said, “Be careful, Lanny is going to kick my ass if you ruin your hair and makeup.”
“I don’t care,” I said as I attempted to get my emotions in check. “This is the most beautiful, most precious thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“You are, indeed.”
“Oh, God,” I said as I started to cry again.
Anson smiled and then walked over to the side table next to the bed and grabbed some tissues. When I looked into his eyes, I noticed he was trying with all his might not to cry himself.