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His eyes are molten. And then he murmurs something to a member of staff who reaches into a counter and produces an orange box.
It’s passed to Max and I murmur, “Of course you did.”
Opening the lid, he drops to the floor again and presents me with the ring. It sparkles so beautifully and my heart gives out.
“Of course I did,” he confirms.
“Max. It’s perfect.”
“Really? You can have any ring you want.”
“I want this one. The one you made for me.” I’ve come to know rings and settings and stones over the past few months. And while it’s an exquisite, cushion cut, six-carat, solitaire diamond, aMaximilianand worth a small fortune, I don’t care. I want it because his heart and soul went into creating it for me.
Looking relieved and proud he slides it on my left hand, kissing me while everyone else melts away in the background.
Two weeks later,after rooming with me, Isla, Tilly and Nate while he worked out of the New York store, we moved into our new apartment. The penthouse is on two levels with wraparound terraces, but the best view is to the west which overlooks Central Park. It is, quite frankly, to die for.
A few days later, Jeremy arrived to deliver Logan. God, I’d missed him too. Since then, seven months have been and gone where I’ve settled into my new life and a new routine.
“Somebody pinch me,” I murmur.
Out on the terrace, a sleeping golden retriever by our sides, Max and I relax on loungers as the sun sinks beyond the city skyline. My wine glass is almost empty and my skin warm from the autumn evening. Unbelievably, in two days we marry.
This kind of life was meant for someone else.
“How about a kiss?”
I turn my head ninety degrees, smiling at my fiancé. “Deal.”
Looking shit hot in his sunnies, Max leans over and whispers against my lips, “I didn’t tell you where I planned on putting that kiss.”
Quickly, I press my lips to his. “Right here is good.”
Chuckling, he kisses me once more before settling back into his seat and turning his attention to the horizon. The setting sun has turned the sky a glorious burnt orange. It reminds me of the company’s branding, and how Max’s designs are in high demand. Not the snow-themed pieces due out in three weeks, not yet. The main focus has been a new line that hit De Vries stores in the summer. Made from salt and pepper diamonds, often called galaxy, or grey diamonds, they’ve been hugely successful. And because the diamonds are reminiscent of my eyes, Max called the lineAva.
“Bed?” I ask. It’s not late, not by our standards, but this is our last night here until the wedding, and I want to give Max an early wedding present. “I have something for you.”
“Is it you?”
“Give me five minutes,” I evade, “and then come to our room.”
With my heart in my throat, I dash upstairs knowing Max is checking on Logan and that the apartment is secure. Out of habit, I lock my rings in the safe. I place them next to the strands of chestnut hair, the thinnest string of gold coiled around them to keep them secure.
Max confirmed it was my hair. Hair he’d kept in his pocket from that night in the barn. Knowing he’d coveted me so strongly made me second-guess my need for space and clarity, but it confirmed my love for him. And it would’ve been so easy for Max to let me go after I landed in New York.
But he fought for me. Every day.
After cleaning up in the bathroom, I grab Max’s present and leave it on the end of the bed before hopping onto the mattress in just my underwear. There’s a button by the headboard that operates the blinds so I press it, then switch on the bedside lamps.
Living in this high-rise city is a double-edged sword; everyone can see us if they want to, but the light this high up is fantastic, and living at the top of the world makes me feel like nothing can touch me.
My body is full of anticipation at the soft sound of his approaching footsteps. When he appears at the doorway, I can see he hasn’t even bothered with a pair of boxers; he just walks into the room with supreme, naked confidence.
He is absolutely magnificent; I could look at him all day.
His avid gaze falls to the end of the bed, his breath catching when he spots the red bundle of rope. Rope he showed me months ago and which has stayed in the drawer, never to be seen again. But I’m ready now. I want to begin my induction into Shibari.
Climbing up next to me on the bed, Max asks, “Are you sure?”
