"Olly," she says, louder this time. Her breath tickles the back of my neck. I turn around, our toes almost touching. "I love you, too, but do you know what you're asking?"
I grab her hips and squeeze. "Of course, I do. I've been planning this for months."
Her eyes sparkle. "You have?"
I nod. "Yes." I cup her face between my palms. "I'll wait if you're not ready. But I want us to be together. And I'd prefer to be living together. If you're not ready to get married, or don't want to then—"
She covers my mouth with her lips, kissing me hard. I'm lost to her touch. When we both come up for air, her eyes meet mine. "We'd love to move in with you, and I'd love to be your wife."
I pick her up, and she wraps her legs around my waist. "You're saying yes?"
She nods. "Of course, I am, but only if you're sure, Olly, I won't do this unless you're sure."
"I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life."I kiss her again, getting lost in the taste of her lips while I carry her out into the hallway. I force myself to stop and put her back on her feet.
Only I could royally fuck up a proposal. "Close your eyes," I say.
"What?"
"Please, close your eyes."
I rush to my bedroom and grab the box from my bedside cabinet and then return to her, her eyes still closed. "Keep them closed." I take her by the elbow and lead her to the other guest room, which was mainly for storage, and push the door open. "Okay, open your eyes."
I watch her intently as she opens one and then the other. She covers her mouth with a loud gasp. Her gaze sweeps across the room, and when she turns to find me, I'm on one knee, holding out the open jewellery box, the ring on display.
"You did this for me?" she asks.
I nod. “I know it's not quite the studio you deserve, but it’s a start."
Falling to her knees in front of me, she grabs my face and kisses me, knocking me onto my arse. The box goes flying. "Shit." She scrambles away from me and retrieves it.
"Am I ever going to get this proposal right?" I ask, defeated.
"Are you kidding me, Olly? This is perfect." She throws her arms around my neck and squeezes me hard.
"Can't breathe."
Leaning back, she loosens her grip, her smile radiant.
I take the ring from the box and reach for her hand; it trembles as I slide it onto her ring finger.Thank fuck it fits.
"It's beautiful. It must have cost you a fortune."
I stroke her cheek. "You're worth it."
She shakes her head, smiling. The diamonds catch the reflection of the setting sun through the window and dazzle. "I had something made for Molly, too," I say.
Her eyes soften. "You did?"
"I didn't want her to feel left out."
"Olly, you decorated her a room fit for a princess—how could she feel left out?"
"I don't know, but it’s a promise from me to her. I love her like a daughter."
Her lips crash against mine, almost feral. She reaches for my jeans. "Off," she says, demanding.
I laugh and oblige, pulling my t-shirt over my head as she strips out of her own clothes. She pushes on my chest until I'm on my back and she straddles me. Gripping my hard length, and without waiting, she lowers herself onto me with a hearty moan.
