Come Away with Me (With Me in Seattle, #1)(89)

I twirl and gaze up at him, my eyes wide. “When did you do this?”

“I had it done earlier while we were getting ready for the party at your house.”

“Luke, it’s magical.” I turn to take in the beautiful space, breathless. He’s so romantic.

He wraps his arms around me from behind and buries his face in my neck.

“Do you like it?”

“I love it. Thank you.”

“Come, sit.” He leads me to the loveseat and we sit. My dress floats around my legs as I sit, and it feels soft against my skin. I smile to myself, remembering that I’m not wearing any underwear. Luke will enjoy that when he finds out.

He pours us each a glass of champagne, clinks his glass to mine and I take a sip.

“It’s nice tonight. It’s not even very cold.” I lean my head back against the cushion and close my eyes, listening to the water that we can’t see in the darkness. Luke lifts my feet into his lap and I turn my head so I can watch him.

He removes my shoes and starts to rub.

“Oh, sweet mother of God, I love you.”

He laughs. “Feet hurt?”

“A little. Those shoes are worth it.”

“Yes they are. Did I mention that you look beautiful tonight?”

“Once or twice.” I wink at him and sigh as his thumb pushes down the arch of my foot. “You’re good with your hands.”

“I’m glad you approve.”

“I could get used to this, you know.

All these flowers and foot rubs and champagne and you, my handsome boyfriend.”

He frowns and my heart stills for just a moment. What did I say wrong?

“Hey,” I pull my feet out of his lap and move toward him, lying across his lap. He wraps his arms around me, holding me to his chest, and I cup his face in my hand. “What is it?”

His eyes are on mine, intensely blue and serious, and I know that something important is on his mind.

“Talk to me, baby.” I continue to caress his face, and he turns his head to press a kiss in my palm.

“I don’t think I want to be your boyfriend anymore.”

What?

I still and narrow my eyes at him.

“Okay, I’ll get my things.” I move to get up but he tightens his hold on me, clenching his jaw and his eyes closed tightly.

“No, that’s not what I mean. I’m not breaking up with you.”

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

“I’m f*cking this up.” He opens his eyes and I see fear, and longing, and love.

What’s this?

“I’ve wanted to do this all night, but I couldn’t find the right time, and I’m glad I didn’t because it should be here, while we’re alone.” He swallows and takes a deep breath. “Natalie, since I’ve known you, my world has changed. I found something with you that I didn’t know I was missing, but that I wanted very much. You are such a beautiful woman, inside and out. You beguile me. I can’t keep my hands off of you. You are so sexy and fun and smart. Your sassy mouth makes me crazy.” He smiles down at me and runs his fingertip along my lower lip.

I’m speechless, which is good because he doesn’t seem to be finished.

“I can’t ever imagine my life without you. You are the center of my world, Nat. I want to love you, protect you, fight with you, make babies with you and spoil the shit out of you for the rest of my life.”

He takes a deep breath and pulls a small Tiffany-blue box out of his pants pocket. I feel my eyes go wide, my heart rate spikes and my breath catches.

My eyes search his as he holds the tiny box in his beautiful hand.

“Natalie, be my wife. Marry me.”





Chapter Twenty-Nine


Oh. My. God.

My eyes are locked on his face and all the breath leaves my body.

Marry him! Marry him?

It’s so soon. We’ve only known each other, what, less than two months? Two incredible months.

His worried eyes are gazing deeply into mine, blue to green, and I know in my heart that the answer is yes. After everything we’ve been through these past two months, everything we’ve shared, I can’t imagine life without him either.

And I don’t have to.

He wants to marry me!

“Baby, you’re killing me here.” Luke moves to open the little blue box, but I put my hand over his, stopping him. He turns startled eyes back to mine, but I smile reassuringly.

“I just have a couple things to say.” I am now giddy and jumping up and down on the inside, my heart in my throat, but I’m amazingly calm on the outside.

“Go ahead,” he murmurs and still looks a bit scared and uncertain.

“When I see my future, Luke, I see you. I see you, not your money or what you do for a living, or who you know. I love and respect you for the kind, giving, loving man you are. I want what my parents had; what your parents share. I would be honored to be your wife, give you children, and make a life with you.”

As I speak tears run unchecked down my face. Luke’s eyes soften and his arms tighten around me.

“Is that a yes?” he whispers and I giggle tearfully.

“Yes.”

“Thank God.” He brushes his lips across mine softly and I cup his cheek in my hand.