He lifted the robe from her and tucked itunder his arm before offering his hand to help her rise. The airbrushing against her skin wasn’t unpleasant, but she was glad whenhe draped the robe around her shoulders.
She slid her arms into the baggy sleeves andtied it around her waist. Lexi walked with him over to the blanketand settled herself on it. The candles had burnt out, or he’d putthem out, but enough of the candles remained for him to relightthem.
The champagne had been recorked, and as shesat, Cole uncorked it, poured her a glass, and handed it to her.She took it and smiled as she sipped the bubbly liquid. It fizzedon her lips and tongue in a delightful way.
Her father had let her have a few sips of hischampagne when she was younger. It had always been on specialoccasions like New Years and birthdays. After she learned of herfather’s death, she got drunk with Sahira one night, but that wason wine and whiskey.
It had been so long since she tastedchampagne, she’d forgotten how much she enjoyed it.
***
Cole smiled as Lexi laughed and took anothersip. A beautiful flush stained her cheeks as her eyes twinkled andher nose scrunched up in the most delightful of ways.
He’d never seen her look more beautiful asher still damp hair tumbled around her shoulders and fell down herback in waves. Handing her a plate of cheese, bread, and fruit, hechuckled when her stomach rumbled, and she nearly ripped the platefrom his hand.
When she leaned against his side, he settledhis arm around her waist as he made his plate. They ate in silencewhile watching the waterfall.
He’d never been this content or happy before.He didn’t want it to end as he put his plate aside, but he’d comehere for a reason.
After she finished, he took her plate, set iton the ground, and drew her into his arms. He held her for a whilebefore shifting his hold so he could see her. Clasping her chin, hekissed her tenderly before releasing her and leaning back.
He slid his hand into one of the pockets onthe side of the basket. His fingers brushed against the two ringsthere, but he only sought his mother’s ring. When he slid it out,he enclosed it in his hand as Lexi tipped her head back to bask inthe warm sun.
While he watched her sleeping earlier, he wasamazed and relieved to learn she didn’t start glowing while sheslept. She’d gained enough control of herself to maintain a steadyshield even when not focused on it.
He didn’t think she was ready for public yet,but he was confident she could return to normal life soon.
While her head remained tipped back, helifted her hand off the ground, kissed her knuckles, and let hislips linger on her hand. When she lowered her head and smiled athim, he had no doubt she was the one for him as his heart skipped abeat.
Seeing that smile only fortified thecertainty of his love for her. Kneeling beside her, he held hergaze as he lifted the ring for her to see.
“Will you marry me, Elexiandra?”
Her mouth dropped, and her eyebrows rose. Hergaze went from him to the ring and back again. Tears brimmed in hereyes, and her face lit with such radiant joy that his heart soaredin response.
She threw herself into his arms and cleavedto him as she cried, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
Cole laughed as her exuberance tumbled themboth back on the blanket, so he lay beneath her. Hugging her close,he savored how her body felt against his and the rightness of herin his arms.
Then he pulled back so he could gaze into herradiant face. “It’s my mother’s ring,” he said as he slid it on herfinger. “If you’d like something different—”
“No!” she blurted as she lifted her hand toexamine the silver band on her finger. “It’s beautiful andperfect.” She wiggled her fingers. “So perfect it alreadyfits!”
When she kissed him again, he pulled hercloser as they once again lost themselves to each other.
CHAPTER 29
When they returned to the manor, Lexi waseager to show everyone her ring. Varo and Brokk clapped Cole sohard on the back she suspected they cracked one of his ribs. Then,they each hugged her.
Her father wasn’t at all surprised as hebeamed from ear to ear while hugging her. Sahira and Kaylia stoodwith their mouths ajar as they stared from her to Cole and backagain. Orin shook his head as he laughed.
“I knew you were a sucker,” he said to Cole.“But I didn’t realize how much of one you were.”
“We’re excited about it too,” Cole told him,and Orin laughed louder.
“Better you than me, brother,” he said as heslapped Cole on the back. “But congratulations. I’m happy foryou.”
“Well, I certainly wouldn’t want to marryyou,” Lexi told him.
