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It's a heavy, hardcover coffee table book of a Harry Potter exhibition was at the British Library some years ago. It's one of those beautiful books I'd never buy myself because it's way too expensive. I immediately begin devouring the colorful pages.
"I knew you loved Harry Potter and thought you might like that."
"Like it? I adore it. Thank you." I lean in and give Damien a huge hug.
"There's another gift, too."
"You didn't have to..." I'm grinning wide as I dive back into the bag and reach for a second wrapped box. The paper is black, and there's a scarlet ribbon wound around the matte paper.
I carefully undo the ribbon and the paper and open the black box.
Inside is an expensive black silicone and steel vibrator.
"Oh my God," I laugh. "Santa got a little dirty this year."
"This gift's not so wholesome," he growls, leaning in for a kiss. I slip him some tongue and giggle wickedly.
"I want you to use this while I'm gone and think of me."
"Can I use it now and think of you?" I plant another kiss on his lips.
"Maybe in a minute." He breaks away and sits on his heels. "And I have one more thing to give you."
"Damien..." I protest, eyeing the sleek vibrator andwondering if we'll need to charge it or if we can use it right away. He takes the book and the vibe and sets them on his desk, then comes to me on the bed, kneeling.
"Kate. Um. I know this is a little odd. Especially after the last two gifts. Jesus, I'm terrible at this. But I was talking to Ma, and she noticed you didn't have one of these, so she gave me this."
He pulls a small black leather box out of his hoodie pocket. I hiccup in a breath.
"It was her mother's ring. And she...I ...wanted to give it to you. I want you to have it. So that it looks like we're legit and all." He shakes his head. "Christ. Could I screw this up any more? We're legit and all. Dammit, I'm an idiot. I'm sorry. I want you to have this. For real. Will you, um..."
My chest constricts and I gulp in a shallow breath.
He pops the top back. A diamond solitaire ring winks at me. God, this is awkward. And sweetly romantic. And weird and... holy crap I'm going to cry...
"...marry me?" he croaks.
I'm so shocked; I can't say a word. I think my heart and lungs have ceased to function, too. The shallow breaths have ceased, and blood whooshes in my ears.
"You don't have an engagement ring, and you need one. I wanted you to have one." He takes the ring out of the box then grabs my hand.
I still don't have oxygen coming in or out of my lungs. All I can do is gape at the ring, then him. He slides it onto my finger, and somehow, it fits well. Good lord, it gives off more sparkles than a glitter factory. I'm not a woman who's longed to be a bride, but this ring is doing...things to me.
Wannabe-bride things. I imagine myself trying on a dress with Mom looking on.
"Breathe, Kate. You're face is turning a weird shade of red. It'll all be okay."
I nod. Mom is going to weep when she sees this. I'm trying not to weep right now. What is going on with me?
"Will you marry me?" He cups my face and tilts my head up so my eyes meet his.
"Yes," I say, my voice trembling and hesitant.
I inhale thinly through my nose and stare into his dark eyes. Maybe now's the time to tell him I love him, but he steals the words from my mouth with a long kiss.
And so instead of telling him, I show him with my body.
kate
