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The large oval solitaire diamond is surrounded by little sapphires, the platinum band fitting my finger perfectly.
“How did you do that?” I ask, marveling at the way it looks on my finger.
“Sean guessed your ring size. I called him a couple of days ago.”
I smile as I imagine how hard it must have been for him to keep the surprise from me.
“We’ll have to Face Time him later.”
Ben leans forward and kisses me. “I love you, Stella.”
“I love you, too.” I look at the ring and back up at him. “Is this really happening?”
“It is. But fuck, I’ve never been so nervous about anything in my whole life.”
I lean my forehead against his. “You thought I might say no?”
“No, or fuck no, or you’re out of your mind...lots of potential answers ran through my mind on the drive here.”
He kisses me again, this time longer and harder.
“I haven’t been with anyone else,” he says against my lips.
This man. He’s everything I could ever want and more.
“I’ve only been with three other guys.”
His eyes widen and I burst out laughing.
“Totally kidding. No one since you, Ben. I didn’t even feel attracted to anyone else. From the first time you kissed me”
“At our first wedding?” he quips.
“Right. Since then, there’s been no one for me but you.”
“You think we should ask Gary to marry us? His head might explode when we explain things.”
“I want to marry you on a beach in Maui. No Gary.”
His expression softens. “Done.”
I cup his bristled cheek with my hand. “It’s Christmas Eve, so I don’t have time to get you a present. But there is something I can give you.”
He arches his brows. “What’s that?”
“You have to come in the bedroom to get it.”
He grins, his eyes dancing with happiness. “How’d you know? That’s exactly what I wanted.”
Chapter Twenty
Ben
* * *
When I kiss Stella this time, it doesn’t feel like a dream. We aren’t in paradise—we’re in her bedroom, and she chose me. It’s real, and I’m so happy I can’t keep the smile from my face.
“I’ve missed you so much,” she says, her face only illuminated by the faint glow of a nightlight in her bedroom.
“You have no idea how much I missed you. I wanted to come back here so many times after I left in June. But I needed to know you chose me.” Emotion wells in my throat. “I needed you to choose me over everything else.”
“I do, Ben.” She pulls the sweatshirt she’s wearing off over her head. “I want you and only you, through the good times and the bad.”
I kiss her again, my insides lighting up like a Christmas tree. The last six lonely months were worth it for this. She’s not picking between me and Owen or me and Steve; she’s saying her choice is me over any other life.
She pulls my shirt up and I quickly pull it off and toss it aside, both of us pushing and tugging clothes off as we kiss.
Just as she’s getting on the bed and I’m pulling my boxers off, the doorbell rings. Stella’s eyes widen.
“Oh no. Claire’s Chinese food order.”
“Did she already pay for it? Can they leave it outside the door?”
“I don’t know.”
I hang my head for a second, then grab my jeans and pull them on, folding my erection to fit it inside.
“Ben.” Stella laughs from the bed. “I’m sorry.”
“Just stay right there and stay in the mood.” I pick my shirt up from the floor. “I’ll be right back.”
The delivery guy standing at the door is wearing ski pants and tall boots. He gives me a puzzled look as he passes over a tiny bag.
“Someone must really like crab Rangoon,” he says.
I pass him a twenty. “Thanks, man.”
“Oh, it’s paid for.”
I hold the bill out closer to him. “It’s a tip. Thanks.”
He takes the money and thanks me and I grab the bag, nodding at him and closing the door. On my way back to the bedroom, I set the bag down, peeling my shirt back off on my way up the stairs.
I’ve waited too long for this already; I’m not giving up one more second.
I shove my jeans down as I run back into the room, stepping out of them and joining Stella in bed.
“You’re gonna be my wife,” I say, kissing her.
“For real this time,” she says, smiling against my lips.
“I love you so fucking much. Nothing in life has ever made me crazy but you.”
She hums, concerned. “I make you crazy?”
“In the best way, baby.” I move on top of her, flicking the tip of my tongue over her nipple. “I’ve wanted you all to myself for so damn long, and I finally have you.”
She runs her fingertips down my back, her nails lightly grazing my skin and leaving goosebumps behind. It’s been six months since she touched me, but it feels like much longer.
