Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
He waited for me with a soft sparkle in his eyes, one hand at his side and one bent behind his back. I finished descending the stairs to meet him.
“My God, Jess, you look beautiful.” He leaned in to kiss me softly on the cheek, probably so as to not disturb my lipstick.
“You do handsome look.” I grimaced. “Those aren’t the right words.”
His smile took my breath away. His hand came around from behind him to present a fragrant bouquet of blue, yellow, and fire and ice roses. The blue and yellow were a running theme with us, matching the color of the wildflowers I’d chosen on our perfect date. Austin being Austin, he’d planted flowers of the same color outside of his home as a romantic gesture.
“Yellow roses mean friendship,” he said, holding them between us. “It’s how we built our bond, and I am so thankful for the rock-solid foundation it gave us. We are unshakable. You can always depend on me, and I know you will always be there for me.” He paused to take my hand. “The blue symbolizes attaining the impossible, and that’s what I’ve done with you. I have a love I never thought I’d find. A life I never thought I’d live. A woman I never in my wildest dreams thought I could deserve. In you, my hopes and dreams have become a reality.”
My eyes teared up as I listened.
“The fire and ice roses have two meanings. The red is for passionate and undying love. A mating bond is supposed to cool after a time, but my love for you burns stronger now than ever. I don’t think it’ll ever cool. It certainly won’t ever die. I will love you until the end of time, and I will fight for you until I take my last breath. The white means childlike purity and innocence, and that’s how you entered the magical world. I’ve cherished staying by your side as you change and grow and reach for the stars. It’s prompted me to be a better man. You’ve made me great, Jacinta. Without you, I never could’ve gotten this far. I thank you and I love you.”
He handed them forward, and I took them with shaking hands. A tear tracked down my face.
“I love you,” I whispered, moving forward to hug him. “That was beautiful.”
“Not done yet,” he said softly as Mr. Tom whisked through.
“I’ll just find a vase for these,” he said, taking the flowers. “Let those tears fall, miss. Don’t go wiping at them and ruining your makeup. I’ll be back after the next heartfelt and very well-done speech to clean you up, don’t you worry.”
Austin waited for him to go before shaking his head a little and smiling. “I’m pretty sure that was high praise from Mr. Tom, and it’s worrying me that I’m okay with it.”
“He’s growing on you.”
“Sadly, yes.” His eyes were liquid cobalt. “I got you a little something.”
He dug into the inner pocket of his jacket and came back with a little blue ring box with Tiffany’s written across the top.
I waited with bated breath as he creaked it open, displaying a gorgeous sapphire and diamond ring that looked like it was made of vines, each side curling toward the other as they lay flat on the finger.
“I wanted it to look unique but still match your ensemble for tonight,” he said, taking it out and slipping it onto my right ring finger. “I thought this looked fitting for the mistress of Ivy House.”
Smiling through more tears, I held out my hand to survey the ring. “I love it. It’s perfect.”
His scent fell around me as he kissed my forehead, and then the tip of my nose, and then my lips. I fell into that kiss, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and swiping my tongue through his mouth. He groaned softly, sliding his hands down my body and pulling me in closer.
“I’ve never met someone so incredibly romantic,” I murmured against his lips. “I love you so much. I’m so glad I found you.”
He cradled my face gently, his thumbs out to wipe away my tears. “I don’t want to mess up your makeup,” he whispered, not letting his thumbs touch down.
“A little late for that, sir,” Mr. Tom said, bustling up. “Miss, let’s get you fixed up. Oh no…” He tsked at Austin. “You’re all lipstick. Come on, I have something for that. Up you go; let’s get to the bathroom.”
“I can handle it myself,” Austin said, trying to gently extract himself from my embrace as Mr. Tom descended on us. He wasn’t quick enough, though, and before he knew it, he was up in my bathroom with Mr. Tom fussing over us both. He watched me with a put-upon expression the whole time but endured it, and I knew he was doing it solely for my benefit. I also knew I’d never loved him more.