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CHAPTER 48
CASSIE
“Here, let me help.” Leo moved her hair over one shoulder and zipped the dress. He placed a kiss on the nape of her neck and peeked up at their reflections together in the mirror.
Cassie smiled at him. “You’re unbelievably handsome. You shouldn’t wear anything but a tuxedo for the rest of your life.”
“Hmm,” he murmured against her shoulder. “You look incredible.”
Cassie had spent a few hours getting ready with a hair and makeup stylist the hotel concierge had arranged for her. Leo liked her natural look, so she requested minimal makeup and a trim for her hair. Careful shading and lots of mascara defined her eyes. Her hair fell around her shoulders in thick, glossy waves.
“Thanks. When it comes to choosing a dress, my friend, Zhara, is my lucky charm.” She smoothed out the black satin strapless gown.
“You’re missing something,” he whispered close to her ear.
“What’s missing?” He must be teasing her. “You mean my glasses? I’ll keep them in my bag, but I don’t—”
Leo removed a small red Cartier box from his jacket.
Her heart hammered with anticipation. “What is that?”
Leo lifted out an enormous emerald-cut diamond set in platinum. He got down on one knee and raised his head to her with a broad smile. “When we met, I found the missing piece of my heart. You are my beautiful Psyche, my deusa. Please marry me.”
She couldn’t look away from those amber eyes, so full of love for her. She wanted him with every fiber of her being, but deep inside, a tiny hesitation said this wasn’t the right time. But why not? She loved him and wanted to be with him forever. There was no logical reason to refuse.
“Cassandra?” Leo asked, his voice cautious.
She made a silent wish to see this expression every day for the rest of her life. Her pulse raced and she pushed aside any doubts she had. “Yes,” she said, in a clear voice. “My heart belongs to you. It has since the moment I met you.”
Leo’s face broke out in a brilliant smile. He rose to his feet and slid the ring onto her finger. “Wearing this ring proves to me that no matter what happens, we’ll be together. Promise me you’ll always keep the ring on and never take it off.” He grew silent, studying her, waiting for her answer.
“I promise.”
He gave her a leisurely kiss, murmuring words of love to her.
“I wish we didn’t have to leave,” she said against his lips.
“We won’t stay long. We’ll leave right after the cake.”
“You promise?”
“Absolutely.” He gave her a deliciously naughty grin. “I have plans for my gorgeous fiancée.”
She gazed at how the enormous diamond on her finger caught the light in the elevator. She rarely wore jewelry, and if she did, she preferred simple pieces. This ring was far more extravagant than anything she’d ever expected to own. “Wouldn’t it be better for me to take the ring off just for tonight? It’s your grandfather’s birthday after all.”
Leo pushed the button. “He’ll be happy to see you wearing it. The ring used to belong to my grandmother Mary.” Leo straightened his posture. “He gave it to me, and now it belongs to you.”
This was no ordinary engagement ring. It was a precious family heirloom. The enormity of being engaged to a Sutton was a lot to handle right now.
“I’m flattered, Leo, but still, I don’t want our engagement to upstage his party.”
“No,” Leo said curtly, rolling his shoulders. “The ring stays on.”
Why had his mood shifted so suddenly? With each floor the elevator passed, her happiness faded. She was Leo’s fiancée now, but she was also a Papadakis. She had no idea how she the Sutton family would receive her. All her confidence about going to the party vanished, replaced by a gnawing fear that something was about to go wrong tonight.
The doors slid open, and Leo led her into the lobby. “Remember what I said. Stay by my side and avoid any private conversation with Malcolm or his mother.”
With each step, her anxiety increased. She didn’t possess the tools to maneuver around his family. “You’re making me nervous, Leo. If you’re so worried, why am I here?”
