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Her heart skipped a beat and then, she was nodding. “Yes, I rather think I am.”
The last words were muffled, swallowed by his kiss as he drew her into his arms and mashed his mouth to hers, pouring all of his love, need and regret into that kiss, all of his promises for their future into their embrace, so she knew, without even a hint of doubt, that this was exactly as they were meant to be, both of them, together, always and forever.
* * *
Mila’s headwas spinning as she pushed into their luxurious penthouse, eyes skimming the room for Leonidas on autopilot. They’d been in Athens for the last month, since the Internationals. Mila was taking the first holiday of her career, a chance to evaluate what she wanted her next step to be, a chance to exist, side by side, with the love of her life.
“Are you here?”
“On the balcony,” he called, so she made her way out there, moving through the sliding glass doors, the panoramic view of Athens one of which she’d never tire. But her eyes shifted quickly from the azure blue sky and ancient buildings to the man in the middle of a haze of red rose petals, an ice bucket of champagne at his side. He wore a suit, no jacket, and no shoes or socks, so her heart gave a strange little twist at the sight of him like that, so devilishly handsome, so sophisticated and imposing and also so very accessible and…hers.
“What’s all this?” She asked, smiling as she moved towards him.
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“Mission accomplished. Are we celebrating our one month anniversary?” She teased, moving towards him as though she were floating.
“One month? Is that all it’s been?”
“Gee, thanks a lot. Time flies when you’re having fun, huh?”
He laughed. “That’s not what I meant. Rather, it feels as though I have known you all my life.”
The laughter died in her throat. “I feel the same way.”
And then, he knelt before her, in the midst of the petals, reaching into his shirt pocket and removing a small black velvet box. “I know this is soon, but I can’t see any point in waiting. I love you. With all that I am, every fibre of my being. You are my heart, my soul, my destiny, my always, my reason for being. Every single moment of every single day I consider myself lucky to have met you. Will you marry me, little thief?”
Her heart hammered so hard against her ribs she wondered if they might splinter, and she stared first at him and then the ring, without really seeing it, then back at Leonidas.
“I know this is soon,” he repeated, when she didn’t speak. “If you’re not ready, I’ll understand.”
Still, she was silent.
“I’m not asking you to change your life. You know how much I support you in your career, your choices. I’m not asking you to sacrifice anything for me. I just want to be a part of your journey, to be together.”
It was impossible to string any cogent words together.
“Mila? What is it?”
She laughed then, shaking her head a little, and reaching down to squeeze his hands. “I just…I was already dealing with something when I got here. I’m sorry. I’m a little blindsided.”
“It’s too soon,” he grimaced, standing, putting away the ring.
“No, not at all.” She rushed to add. “It’s perfect.” Finally, the reality of this sunk in and tears filled her eyes. “Really, this is so romantic. Of course, of course, I’ll marry you. Is that even a question?” She sobbed, and he pulled her against him, holding her there, as if to reassure himself this was actually happening. They stood like that for minutes, for many minutes, two hearts mingling, beating in unison, and then, he pulled back, a small frown on his face.
“What else were you dealing with?”
“I’m sorry?”
“You said there was something else that had happened. What is it?”
“Oh, right.” She smiled from ear to ear. “May I see the ring again first.”
He grinned, pulling it out of his pocket, then removing the diamond solitaire from the box.
“May I?”
She nodded, extending her finger, as he slid the ring onto it.
