Presenting the box to Bane, I flick it open, revealing the elegant silver watch inside.
The last time I tried this, I chose a modern smartwatch. Something functional and easy.
This time, I selected a watch that captured my feelings better. Something important. A silver stainless steel timepiece with a thick link style band. Something beautiful and elegant that he’ll grow into and wear as he gets older.
And I hope I’m by his side as he does.
Bane’s breath catches as his gaze drops to the watch, then snaps back to mine. Something raw flickers across his features. Maybe hope? Bane lifts the watch from its velvet bed, holding the present carefully in his hands. What’s he thinking?
“So, here’s your courting gift,” I say. “What do you say?”
His eyes fall back to the watch, and several long moments pass in excruciating silence before he pulls his gaze away. Eventually, he smiles. “Wow, Fielding. I’ve never seen you take charge like this before.”
“Seriously? Isthatreally what you have to say?”
He steps closer to me, his voice dropping to a low growl. “You’re incredibly sexy when you’re all formidable.”
“Oh.” The unexpected response leaves me breathless and slightly light-headed. Good thing Bane wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me closer.
“My answer is hell yes,” he tells me fiercely and then his lips crash into mine.
I laugh into his mouth and wind my arms around his neck, desperate to kiss him senseless despite the grin that refuses to leave my face.
Grinning like a loon and kissing? Not easy. It could be an Olympic sport. But every time I try to banish it, the smile returns, wider than before. Soon, I feel Bane smiling too.
The timer on the oven blares, startling us both. Bane starts untangling us on instinct to pull the bread out of the oven, but I capture his face between my palms and drag his mouth back to mine.
“Ignore the food,” I command against his lips.
He surrenders without protest, melting back into me and pressing me against the counter’s edge. But before we get too far…
“The bread’s starting to burn,” I realize when the acrid scent hits my nose. “Again.”
“You cooked and went through all this trouble,” he says. “Let’s eat.”
“You’re the only reason any of this is edible,” I protest, but then I catch the warmth in his expression. Bane actuallywantsto share this meal with me. Helikesthat I did this for him.
And there’s one more thing we need to take care of first.
“Can I put it on you?” I ask, holding out the watch.
Bane rescues the bread and makes sure nothing else will burn. Then he steps in front of me without a word and extends his wrist. My fingers graze his skin as I clasp the watch around his wrist. Bane’s usual composed mask shatters. Those golden eyes widen with raw wonder, looking soft and vulnerable, like a devoted puppy rather than a fierce wolf.
“Can’t believe you got me a courting gift,” he murmurs softly.
“Wanted to show you I take this seriously.”
“It’s really, uh.” He coughs, trying to compose himself. “Cool.”
“Cool?”
“Sweet?” he guesses, making a face. “Sorry, I’m not great at this kind of thing.”
“You’re doing just fine,” I promise.
If it’s possible, he melts even more at my words. A pleased, almost giddy smile spreads across his face. He looks so young and genuinely happy, a side of Bane I’ve never witnessed before, a completely breathtaking side.
He rotates his forearm, studying the watch from every angle as if he can’t quite believe it’s real, like it might vanish the moment he stops looking.
