Page 191 of Beautifully Ruined

He shakes his head and gets the bottle of wine that’s breathing and pours two glasses and takes one to me. “Why? I wanted to do something nice for you.”

“I don’t need to be coddled or handled with kid gloves, Cade, as nice as this is.”

But honestly, I don’t mind, it’s a sexy sight, a man taking charge in the kitchen. I don’t care he hasn’t cooked it from scratch himself, the sauce would take at least a day to make, and handmade pasta…I don’t even know how to do that.

I love the compromise, though. And he slices some bread and puts it on a plate with a small bowl of olive oil for dipping. I help myself to a piece. The bread is from a bakery, crusty and delicious, and the oil is fruity, slightly peppery and wonderful.

He comes over and drops a kiss on my head. “I know. I wanted to do this. I love you, Violet.”

I sip my wine. “I appreciate every second this.”

He adds the pasta to the water, and it’s done in minutes. Then he drains it, stirs it into the sauce, and serves it up in big bowls with the cheese in a bowl and chopped, fragrant basil on top.

Like this, I’m a queen. And I love him more than I ever thought.

He did all this for me.

I devour the bowl. I’m ravenous, and really, if I was alone, I’d lick that damn bowl clean.

Cade watches, amused as I run a finger in the bowl, and he takes my hand, guides it to his mouth and sucks it clean. “You know, there’s more if you’re still hungry.”

“I’d like room for dessert, thank you.” I take my hand back. “I don’t want to be too full.”

“Who said the tiramisu was for you?”

I sniff. “And who said I meant that kind of dessert. I wasn’t referring to food…”

He stands and takes my hand.

“The meal was just to butter you up for what’s coming next.”

I laugh. “You should know by now I don’t need my arm twisted or any butter applied when it comes to sex with you.”

“Presumptuous.”

I stare at him. “What do you mean?”

“Who said anything about sex? I’m no floozy, Vi.”

And then, to my shock, he drops to one knee and, still holding my hand, reaches into his front pocket and pulls out a black velvet box.

My heart jumps.

“A-are you doing what I think you’re doing?” And my eyes blur and throat gets tight. My heart is honestly about to burst in my chest.

“Unless you think I’m about to serenade you with the latest pop song to hit number one, then…no I’m not.”

He opens it with one hand.

“Will you marry me, Violet?”

I stare, open mouthed at the world’s most perfect oval cut ring. It’s gorgeous, everything about it, from the simplicity to the beauty of the diamond to the even more gorgeous and perfect man holding the ring.

It could be a dollar store plastic ring, and I wouldn’t care.

“Yes. Yes, A million times yes.”

“Thank fuck.”