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- Chapter Twenty-Nine -

Bach

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“Bach, slow down.”

It was an impossible request, even from her. Pulling her through the corridor, I ducked into the first empty room I could find. There were a few empty coffee cups on the long white tables, a half-eaten box of donuts. Probably where the staff had done their morning scrum before the event began.

Spinning her like a ballerina in a toy box, I pressed Amina against the back of the door I'd just slammed shut. She was locked inside with me—a man who'd been sure he'd never see her sweet smile again.

Just thinking of that riddled me with pain. I kissed her to remind myself I could. I wrapped my fingers in her short hair, loving how I had to be careful if I didn't want to hurt her, but still wanted to hang on. Amina was my personal challenge in life. Since meeting her, she'd made me a better person.

I owed her everything.

I planned to give it to her.

“I love you,” I whispered hoarsely, clutching her tighter. “I don't want to spend another minute without you by my side.”

She turned into steel in my arms. “Bach...”

“Marry me,” I demanded.

Her lower lip trembled. I could feel her heart thrumming through her ribs where she was pressed against me. “You're supposed to ask it like it's a question, not a command.”

I dropped to one knee. “Will you, Amina Richards, marry me? I'll ask it a hundred different ways, if you want. I could write a poem. Or I could get on stage and sing into the mic.”

Amina's eyes began to shimmer. “You told me you can't sing.”

“I know, but for you, I'd try. I'll do anything for you, Amina. Anything. Please, say yes.”

It took her too long to respond. I tipped my head down, unable to bear looking into her eyes in case she actually saidno.I didn't want that image burned into my memory.

“You know,” she said gently, her hands resting on my shoulders where I knelt, “I believe you really would do anything for me. Do you know how scary that feels? How amazing?”

Her fingers touched under my chin, encouraging me to look at her. The tears that worked their way over her cheeks, touching the dimples in her giant smile, made my heart soar. “I don't have a ring yet,” I said quickly. “I wasn't planning this, it just... happened. But we'll go buy you one right away, any ring you like, your pick.”