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“Because I’m a coward and the idea of ruining this got to me,” Hudson told him, pulling back more and shrugging. He looked in Peyton’s eyes for disgust or even maybe a slight change of heart. Instead, he just found fond exasperation.
“God, I love you,” Peyton murmured, then held up his curled fist. One by one, his fingers spread until his hand was open. “Will you marry me?”
Hudson could see a ring sitting in the center of his palm.
It wasn’t shining. It wasn’t gold or platinum. It was black and almost seemed to absorb light rather than give it.
Hudson couldn’t stop staring.
Peyton shifted after a beat, the only real sign of his uncertainty. “I did a bunch of research, and eventually I talked to Chase—that product tester guy you hired a few months ago. He said he upgraded his ring to this silicon band after his injury since he doesn’t wear gloves very often. Like you. He said it doesn’t pinch, and when his fingers swell, there’s some give.”
Hudson realized Peyton was afraid he’d fucked up. He didn’t realize the look on Hudson’s face was one of profound… well… he wasn’t sure there was a name for what he was feeling. It was like a brand-new emotion that transcended language.
All he could do was curl his hand around Peyton’s wrist and kiss him until both of them were desperate to breathe.
“Yours doesn’t match,” he blurted. Fuck, that was not what he’d meant to say.
Peyton pulled back with a frown. “What?”
Hudson dragged a hand down his face with a groan. “I mean yes, first of all. Fuck yes, Peyton. I love you so much. And…and also…” He leaned back and twisted to the side, swearing a little as he struggled to get the box out of his pocket. He managed it after a beat, ignoring the look of amusement in Peyton’s eyes.
His fingers were still shaking with nerves, but he managed to get the lid popped open to show Peyton the thick rose gold band. It was one he’d eyed in a shop window when they’d gone to Seattle together for a baking convention.
Peyton’s gaze had lingered on it for just long enough to tell Hudson it was the one.
“You,” Peyton said, licking his lips. “How? How the hell did you remember this?”
Hudson used his free hand to cup Peyton’s cheek. “Because I pay attention. Because I want to spend every single day of my life making you happy.” He licked his lips, then breathed out hard through his nose before he could speak again. “I won’t make a speech either. I’ll just tell you that I have never loved anyone or anything as much as I love you.”
Peyton just stared, his eyes red and watery.
Hudson let out a soft laugh. “Will you marry me?”
Peyton swallowed thickly, then nodded. It was obvious he wasn’t going to be able to say the word Hudson wanted to hear for a little bit, but Hudson didn’t need him to. Like he just said, he knew his lover.
His boyfriend.
His fiancé.
He held up his left hand and Peyton quickly realized what he was doing, so he took his own ring and slid it over Hudson’s knuckle. It fit soft and comfortable—the texture bit like his favorite nipple clamps, though he wasn’t going to say that aloud or every time he thought about his ring, he’d get all worked up.
He flexed his fingers and looked at his hand and felt a rush in his chest at the sight of it. He’d never in his life thought he’d get married again. He thought maybe he’d date. Maybe he’d find someone he trusted enough with his heart.
But with everything else?
He couldn’t have fathomed it in a thousand years with a billion people who might make the offer.
But Peyton had come through and destroyed all of his fears.
Hudson gathered himself just long enough to slide Peyton’s ring on his hand, and he took a second to marvel at the glint of rose gold against his olive skin before curling both hands into Peyton’s shirt and pulling him onto his lap.
“They all knew what you were doing, didn’t they?” Hudson asked.
Peyton laughed. “They might have had some clue when they saw me hauling in all those damn candles.”
Hudson growled, then kissed him. The door wasn’t locked, but he was pretty sure no one would be brave enough to come in for a long, long while. Exactly what Hudson needed. He held Peyton by the hips, pulling him down hard so he could feel the weight of him, and Peyton began to rock his hips as his fingers went for the spots on Hudson’s ribs that made him groan.
“Take your dick out,” Hudson begged. “Please, baby. Please.”
