With a smirk, she added, “Good thing your rules don’t apply to me.”
He laughed. “Like hell they don’t.”
As she squeezed his hand, her smile fell away. “Since we’re putting it all out there, I’m sorry I kept my identity a secret. I tried telling you, more than once…in spite of the fact that the truth could have ruinedeverything.
“But it didn’t, Brigit,” he said and kissed her hand.
“No, it didn’t.” After running her fingers through his hair, she caressed his cheek. “My love found a home when you came into my life.”
He felt the same way.This is it.
“I knew you were special from the moment I saw you,” he said. “When we met, your defiance struck a chord. I was intrigued. I love how smart and strong-willed you are. And every day you’re more beautiful than the day before. You’ve helped me let go of my painful past and the demons that haunted me. You make me want to be a better man.”
“Thank you.” She smiled sweetly. “Though I tried fighting it, I sensed our strong connection from the beginning.”
“A connection that will never end.” He got down on one knee.
“Oh,” she gasped.
Surprisingly, her shocked expression calmed him. Thiswasa big deal. The most important decision either of them would ever make. Would she think it too soon? Would she even sayyes? “I adore you. Being together feels right.”
She swallowed. “Uh-huh.”
He pulled the small black Harry Winston box from beneath the sofa cushion. Slowly, he opened it. The five-carat emerald-cut diamond was surrounded by a halo of round diamonds. Pink diamond baguettes flanked either side of the platinum setting.
“Marry me, Brigit.”
* * *
She threwher armsaround his neck and kissed him, again and again. The kisses turned passionate and she pressed herself so close she almost knocked him over.
Laughing, he ended the kiss. “Shall I take that as ayes?”
“Yes, a million yesses.” She extended her shaky hand and he slid the ring onto her finger. “I wasn’t expecting this.”
“Lemme see that rock, if you can lift your hand.”
She proudly displayed the ring. “It’smagnificent. You have great taste.”
“It’syou. Brilliant, beautiful, sparkly, flawless.”
She laughed. “I love that! But I have a lot of flaws, Colton.”
“Not a one.” He stood, pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “I want you.”
Standing on her tiptoes, she murmured, “I’m all yours.”
Suddenly, a flash of light caught her eye over his shoulder. Vanessa charged down the hallway, holding a large kitchen knife over her head. She looked crazed, her eyes bulging as she raced toward them.
56
ATTACKED!
“Noooo!” Brigit yanked Coltonout of the way as the knife sliced through the air, narrowly missing his shoulder.
Vanessa stumbled forward, spun around and extended the blade toward him. Her blonde hair was oily, her sweater was stained, and the stench of stale booze hung in the air. “I gave you the best years of my life and you propose toher? I can’t fucking believe it! I made you who you are! And this,this, is how you repay me? I’m gonna kill you, you ungrateful son of a bitch!”
During Vanessa’s rant, Brigit flew to the security panel on the wall near the front door, punched all the emergency buttons, then bolted back to the living room. “Get away from him!”
