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I took my time getting ready. It had been so long since we’d enjoyed a quiet evening together, just the two of us, away from the chaos and danger that was an ever-present force in our lives. I craved the intimacy, the connection that only Ridge could provide. And yet, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that we were supposed to be doing something important.
“Stop it, Tori. Tonight is about you and Ridge. Focus on that,” I told myself, trying to silence the doubts creeping into my mind.
I decided to wear a simple yet elegant black dress that hugged my curves in all the right places, pairing it with matchingheels. As I applied the finishing touches to my makeup, I admired the way my skin glowed. I actually looked excited. It was a look I had not seen in far too long.
Chapter 24
Ridge
I stared at the ring nestled in its velvet-lined box, and anxiety coiled like a snake around my ribs. My hands shook as I closed the lid, tucking it securely into my suit pocket. Tori and I had been pretending to be engaged, but this…
This was real. The thought of actually proposing to her made my mouth dry and my heart pound.
“Ridge? You ready?” Tori’s words floated from the bedroom, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Uh, yeah. Just a sec,” I called back, taking a few breaths to steady myself.
Would she even take my proposal seriously? What if she laughed in my face? I tried to shake off those thoughts and focus on the woman I loved. My fated mate.
Tori emerged from the bedroom, and her beauty was a punch to the gut. She was dressed to kill in a form-fitting black dress that hugged her curves and left little to the imagination. Her dark hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her face and highlighting her stunning green eyes.
“Wow,” I said, unable to tear my gaze away from her. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you.” Her gaze raked down my body. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”
Unable to resist any longer, I pulled her close and kissed her deeply, pouring all the intensity of my desire into it. As our lips met, I let my scent envelop her, marking her as mine so that no other shifter would dare approach her.
Breaking away from the kiss, I looked into Tori’s eyes, searching for any hint of reluctance or uncertainty. But all I saw was love and trust. And something else. Something that made my chest tighten and sent a jolt of possessiveness through me. She was mine, and I would do anything to protect her.
“Shall we?” I asked, offering her my arm.
“Of course.” She linked her arm with mine as we headed out for our evening on the town.
As we walked, I kept stealing glances at her, marveling at her beauty and the way she so effortlessly commanded attention from those around us. It wasn’t just her looks that drew people in; it was her strength, her confidence, and her unwavering loyalty to those she cared about. In that moment, I knew I had to make her mine forever.
The moment we stepped into the restaurant, I was acutely aware of the stares from the other patrons. The dimly lit room seemed to hum with anticipation and curiosity, as if sensing the importance of our evening. With a sudden rush of nerves, I nearly let the door close on Tori before catching it just in time.
“Oops, sorry about that.” I tried to play it off as nothing more than an awkward mistake.
“Smooth, Ridge,” she teased, her laughter like music to my ears. “I guess chivalry is still a work in progress for you.”
“Guilty as charged.” What the hell was wrong with me?
“Wow, this place is incredible,” Tori commented, looking around the elegant room. “I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere this fancy before.”
“Only the best for my mate,” I said with a surge of pride at being able to provide her with such an experience. But beneath the surface, my anxiety continued to build.
“Thank you, Ridge.” Her voice held a note of genuine appreciation. “You really didn’t have to go all out like this, though. A simple night out would have been just as special.”
“Maybe so, but I wanted tonight to be unforgettable.”
“Unforgettable, huh?” She cocked an eyebrow. “Now I’m curious.”
“Good.” My voice was low and intense. “Because I plan on making every moment with you extraordinary.”
“Well, then,” she said softly, meeting my gaze with a look that promised a thousand unspoken desires. “I can’t wait to see what you have in store.”
As we exchanged heated looks, I thought about the ring burning a hole in my pocket. It seemed to be growing heavier by the second, and I had to find the perfect moment to pop the question. But how? My nerves were making it nearly impossible to think straight.
