Part 28 (2/2)
”I'm not sure which of my men looks better,” I tease, and Tag grins c.o.c.kily as he struts toward me to claim my lips.
”I'll give this round to Trip. His suit is even more custom made than mine.”
As.h.i.+ara We pull up to the restaurant, and I tilt my head while surveying the landscape. There's a very large lack of vehicles around.
”Are we really early? I a.s.sumed a launch party would have people to launch to.”
He smiles, and then he steps out to pick Trip up before proffering me his free hand.
”We're right on time.”
How?
”I thought you were more successful than this, Mr. Masters.”
He laughs as he pulls me to him, our security surrounding us like we're the d.a.m.n president and first lady.
The door opens to the restaurant, and I step in to see the dim light casting a romantic ambience across the gallant floor with only one table. Rose petals litter the floor, and soft, velvety music plays in the background.
”What's-”
”This is our first date,” he says softly. ”I wanted it to be a surprise. Bear with me, this is the first time I've ever taken anyone out on a real date.”
My mouth opens as I gaze around the room dressed in elegant curtains that line the walls. The windows open to the ocean view, and the security guards disperse to secretly protect us-out of sight.
”Tag, this is... it's amazing.”
I turn to see his smile, and then he ushers me to the lone table, salads already waiting.
He puts Trip in the ba.s.sinet beside the table, and then he pulls out my chair to let me sit directly beside our little boy.
”You even thought of Trip,” I giggle, noting his ba.s.sinet doesn't clash with the glamorous decor.
”Of course I did,” he says with a smile.
”Tag, I think I've just been impressed with a first date for the first time.”
He blushes a little, and then he acts as though he's flexing. I giggle at his humorous little gesture, and he leans over to kiss me softly.
”I love this.”
”I love you,” he murmurs gently, making me dissolve under those delicious words.
”I love you.”
Tag I've never been so nervous yet so calm in all my life. I've wanted to do this for her for so long. Now, I'm with the woman I love, and she loves me back. I've never had such an incredible feeling.
As soon as we finish eating, she leans over on me to rest her head on my shoulder.
”Thank you,” she murmurs in a breath.
”You're welcome. How does our son's suit look?” I muse as she glances over at him kicking his feet, grunting as he tries to move.
”I think it's ridiculously adorable.”
I laugh as my hand slides around her waist, and she leans over to hand him his pacifier when he starts fussing.
”The attention to detail is pretty surreal. They even made him a zipper pocket with a gold lining inside. Look at it,” I murmur while nudging her a little.
She smiles as she leans over, and she laughs when she finds the small zipper. Her face concentrates as though something has distracted her.
”What's wrong?”
”There's something in his pocket. They must have-” Her words stop as she stares down, and I smile as I walk over to inspect what has given her such speechless pause.
”It's a ring,” she gushes. ”They left a ring in his-”
She stops as I kneel down in front of her, doing my best not to show my nerves, and her mouth pops open as she stares at me in shock.
As.h.i.+ara Is he really getting down on one knee right now? Is he really kneeling in front of me, pulling this ring from my palm, and holding over my ring finger?
”As.h.i.+ara Branderwood, you're the first and only girl there has ever been for me. There's nothing, and I mean nothing, I wouldn't do for you. You're the only person in my life I've ever said I love you to, and you're the person I want to say it to for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”
I choke on the air entering my lungs when I finally quit holding my breath. Tears break free from my wavering lids as I nod over and over before finally coughing out, ”Yes.”
He smiles as he pushes the ring over my finger to show me he's done his homework. It's a perfect fit-just like us.
I dive into his arms, knocking both of us to the floor, and he laughs as my lips close over his.
”d.a.m.n, I'm so glad you said yes. After having to talk you into dating me, I worried this was going to be an epic battle.”
I laugh and cry at the same time, and he kisses me harder. I stare at the ring, in disbelief, and he scoops me up while standing to his feet.
It's gorgeous. I swear he got inside my brain and found the ring of my dreams. It's so perfect.
”I can't believe you're this romantic,” I giggle, and he laughs a little while sitting on the chair and pulling me in his lap.
”I have my moments. Don't think I've gone too mushy though. You haven't read the inscription yet.”
His brow arches with playful mischief, and I snicker excitedly while pulling the ring back off and turning it sideways to read it. Only he could find a way to make an elegant ring suddenly so scandalous, but I laugh when I see his promise in writing.
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