Page 92 of Naughty or Nice

‘Isn’t it obvious, Evangeline?’

The sound of my name from his lips runs through me, comforting as honey. Is he really here? Is this some sick joke? Some weird dream that I’m going to wake up from any second?

‘The last time we spoke you wanted my product with a bit of fun on the side.’

He cringes, his fists flexing at his sides. ‘I couldn’t care less about the product.’

I scoff—I can’t help it—but it dies at the sincere look in his eyes. They’re swimming. Or is it only mine that are? Making it impossible to focus clearly?

‘Sorry—of course I care about your product, and Janus Industries will do an amazing job, I’m sure, but what I mean is... What I’m here for is... Hell, I love you, Evangeline.’

He reaches for me, his hands cupping my arms, his touch as real and as warming as his words.

He loves me...he truly loves me.

My head spins as I blink through the tears and see the passion, the love, in his warm brown gaze.

‘I’ve loved you for far too many years to count,’ he says softly. ‘I wish I’d just come out and told you, but I was scared. Scared to take that leap...scared of putting you in the middle, making you choose and having you regret it.’

I shake my head. ‘I’d never regret you.’

He groans and pulls me against him, his hug so tight I’m winded, and then his hands are in my hair, he’s tilting my head up to meet him, and his lips are on mine, crushingly sweet.

I kiss him back, but it’s not enough. I am finally free to say the words that have been burning through me for so long. No more fear. No more doubt.

I pull away, my hands framing his face as I look up into his eyes. ‘I love you too.’

His grin is long and slow, and his eyes are moving over my face as though he’s reading my sincerity, and then he breaks away, his voice soft as he says, ‘I’m so glad you said that because...’ He rummages in his pocket. ‘I have something for you.’

‘You bought me a present? But I haven’t—’

I look down as he raises his hand. On his palm rests a small red box.

A small red ring box.

My lips part on a rush and my eyes lift to his, wide and questioning. ‘Lucas...?’

‘You’re all the family I could ever want—you, me...kids if we so desire. I don’t know how we navigate this with your family, but I know this is the right place to start. By giving you the choice.’

I watch as he drops to one knee on the weathered coir mat, his eyes not once leaving mine. I press my fingers to my lips, keeping back the sob that threatens. I don’t want to break this moment.

He opens the box and inside is the most beautiful pink diamond ring—pink.

‘Is it—?’ I break off. It can’t be. And yet I know that it is. This is Lucas.

‘It’s an Argyle Pink Diamond. It seemed very...you.’

My laugh is soft and shaky. ‘It’s exquisite.’

‘So are you.’ He blinks up at me once, twice. ‘Will you marry me, Evangeline Beaumont?’

I am trembling. My head is shaking. My eighteen-year-old self is dancing like crazy inside.

‘No?’ He frowns, panic creasing his forehead, his hand dropping just a little. ‘I’ll work hard to make amends with your father...your brother. I’ll do everything I can—’

‘Shh...’ I drop my hand to his lips, silencing him, laughter bubbling through the tears. ‘Yes, I’ll marry you—yes! Now, hurry and put that ring where it belongs and maybe I’ll believe this is real.’

‘Oh, it’s real, all right.’