Page 59 of Charmed, I’m Sure (Witches of Bellevue #1)

I gripped his shirt at his waist, tugging him closer, deepening the kiss. But just as quickly as he started, he pulled away, resting his forehead against mine. His breath mingled with mine, warm and ragged in our shared space.

“Why’d you stop?” I panted, running my hands up his chest, twisting my fingers into the fabric there.

“Later, baby. I promise.” He was just as breathless as I was, his voice rough as he slid his hands down my arms, encircling my wrists as he gently pried my grip from his shirt. “One more surprise, and then I’m all yours.”

“Promise?”

“Promise. Now, close your eyes, sunshine.”

I searched his face once, twice, before finally sliding my eyes shut. My heart raced as every other sense sharpened in anticipation.

Step by step, I let him guide me forward, focusing on the steady cadence of his breath and the soft murmur of his voice as he navigated me around what I assumed was the living room furniture.

“Okay, stop here.”

“Can I open my eyes?” I asked tentatively.

“Not yet.”

Taylor exhaled slowly, then dropped my hands and breathed, “Illuminare.”

Wait. Illuminare?

Latin? Why was he speaking Latin…Wait. Why is he…?

Before I could ask, light flickered beyond my closed eyelids, and I sucked in a sharp breath at the same time Taylor let out a stunned exhale.

“Holy shit, it worked,” he muttered.

“Taylor, what the hell is going on?” My nerves spiked. Every second with my eyes shut felt like an eternity, and without his hands grounding me, anxiety clawed at my stomach.

The swirling kaleidoscope of butterflies settled as he clasped my hands again. Releasing a breath, he whispered, “Open your eyes, baby.”

It took a moment for my vision to adjust, but when it did…

The gasp that tore from my throat echoed in the quiet.

Holy. Shit.

My hands flew to my mouth, smothering the hiccupping breaths as my gaze swept over the room in a daze.

White candles littered the floor, side tables, and mantle, their flames flickering delicately, casting the room in a warm, golden glow. Twinkling lights draped behind the window sheers, soft and ethereal. Pink rose petals blanketed the floor.

Tears burned my eyes, slipping down my cheeks as I finally met Taylor’s gaze.

Sapphire blues shone with unshed emotion, tracking my every movement. He barely seemed to be breathing, waiting—watching—for my reaction.

I didn’t know how he expected me to say anything.

Taylor had rendered me speechless more times than I could count. Turned my insides to goo with just a flick of his gaze.

But this?

Mother above…

There were no words for the love, the awe, the sheer overwhelming emotion coursing through my body. I wanted to jump up and down with excitement while simultaneously melting into a puddle of tears at the outpouring of love he constantly and consistently showed me in both words and actions.

His eyes held a silent plea, and I forced a breath through my trembling lips, dropping my hands as I willed my brain to form words.

“How… how did you do all this?”

Not exactly what I’d been aiming for, but okay then.

“How do you think?” He chuckled, though the nervous edge remained. “Magic.”

“Ah… okay. Umm… You gotta help me out here, cowboy.” My voice quivered, matching the shaking of my hands. My damn knees felt moments away from giving out.

“Right.” Taylor exhaled, stepping closer, grasping my hands between his. “Magnolia—”

A hiccupping sob slipped free, cutting him off. I tipped my head back, staring at the ceiling to get some sort of grip on my emotions. But when I met his gaze again, the love shining so brightly in his eyes nearly undid me.

“You are by far the most incredible woman I have ever had the privilege of knowing. You’re strong, fierce, kind, and beautiful, inside and out.

Not a second goes by that you’re not on my mind.

Not a single thing that doesn’t remind me of you in some way.

You’re in the air I breathe. You’re in every thought. You fill every dream.”

“Taylor,” I sighed, another sob wracking my chest.

Switching to hold both my hands in one of his, he used the other to swipe away the tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Let me get this out, baby. Please.”

I nodded, watching as his own tears slipped free. His lower lip trembled as he took a steadying breath.

“Being with you is like seeing the world in color for the first time after a lifetime of black and white. You’ve flipped my world upside down. And it would be the greatest joy of my life to spend the rest of it with you.”

Oh, shit. It’s happening.

I gasped as Taylor slowly sank to one knee. It was as if my brain hadn’t fully registered what exactly was happening. Like it was in denial—even with all the flowers, candles, lights, and gloriously beautiful profession of love—until I saw him kneeling before me.

Breathing felt impossible.

It all but stopped when he pulled a ring box from his suit jacket pocket.

In. Out. Repeat.

My heart slammed against my ribs as he flipped the lid open. But I didn’t bother looking. It could have been a damn Ring Pop and I would have said yes.

“You’re shaking,” I whispered.

“So are you,” he murmured, voice cracking.

“Magnolia—”

“Yes. A thousand times yes!” I shouted, tears blurring my vision before free-falling down.

He blinked. “You didn’t even let me ask,” he said with a chuckle.

“Shit. Sorry.”

“Magnolia Lynn Bellevue, will you—”

“Yes.”

Laughing, he shook his head. “Would you let me ask the damn question, woman?”

I bit my cheek and watched as Taylor visibly relaxed. Curling my lips inward, I nodded my head to signal that he could continue, and I wouldn’t interrupt again… hopefully.

Let’s be honest, my brain and mouth tended to do what they wanted when I was overwhelmed.

“Magnolia Lynn Bellevue…” he paused, raising his eyebrows at me in expectation, but I managed to keep my mouth closed. “Love of my life… would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“Yes!” I screeched, launching myself into his arms and slamming my lips to his as we tumbled backward onto the floor.

“I love you, so much,” I breathed when we came up for air.

“I love you, too, Mrs. Bellevue.”

“Hallows,” I amended, brushing the tip of my nose against his.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

The End