Page 179

Story: Serving the Mogul

Sitting amid crumpled pieces of gift wrap and torn ribbons, I looked around. “I could be sitting on an elephant and never notice. Where is it?”
James sank down and sat in front of me, a small box in his palm. “Here.”
My heart lurched, and I jerked my head up to his gaze.
“What…” My throat was too dry for the rest of the question. I cleared my throat, and tried again. “What is it?”
“If I tell you, I’ll ruin the surprise.” A smile softened his face. He flipped open the top of the velvet box, the lid hiding the object inside from view. “How about I show you?”
I nodded. Speech was impossible.
“Close your eyes,” James said.
I did, my breathing erratic and heart hammering.
He took my hand, and I gasped as I felt him slide something onto my ring finger—my left ring finger.
My eyes flew open, and I sucked in a breath.
“Tina, I never imagined someone as wonderful as you existed and would want someone like me. Now I can’t imagine life without you. Will you marry me?”
My eyes met his, and I tried to choke out some words. “James…”
He kissed me, a soft kiss, so sweet and full of love, my chest ached from it.
“You don’t have to answer now. Just say you’ll think about it.”
Tears burned my eyes. The answer was on the tip of my tongue as I admired the sparkling, square-cut diamond, set in a filigree of delicately worked gold.
“Yes,” I whispered, still staring at the ring.
“Tina?”
I lifted my head and smiled. “The answer is yes.”
James blinked, then shook his head, like he couldn’t believe it was true.
“James…” I cupped his face in my hands and leaned in, pressing my mouth to his. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He caught me in his arms and hauled me close, half-falling off balance, then rolled with me until I was under him, on my back.
“When?” he asked, his mouth on mine.
“Whenever you want.” A giddy laugh escaped me. “Today. Tomorrow. Yesterday, if we can make it happen. Whenever you want.”
He was smiling as he lowered his head to kiss me, his eyes echoing the emotion I saw on his face.
Curling my arms around his neck, I opened for him, yielding to his kiss, and to the warmth of his touch and his love.
His love filled me, sinking into warm places I hadn’t known were cold.
The weight of the ring on my finger was barely noticeable, yet it anchored me in ways I couldn’t imagine.
This wonderful man wanted to marryme.
I would never feel alone again.
–THE END–

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