Page 38 of Ripple Effect

His full lips curve in that sexy smile that I know is all mine. “I want to start over one more time with you, Libby.” Cal reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet box.

“Yes.” The word is out of my mouth before his long fingers can manipulate the hinged top.

“Honey, I think you’re supposed to wait for me to ask the question,” he teases, but the love in his eyes warms me from my head to my toes and all the places he makes me tingle in between.

I drop to my knees and scoot forward until I’m within touching distance of him. “Yes,” I repeat huskily.

“Elizabeth Akin, I should have known when you healed all the cracks of my heart with your smile and your laughter, infusing them with so much joy that I found my own, it had to be love. I’m sorry it took me so long to find my way back to you.” He pauses.

I want to strangle him and kiss him. Knowing I’ll have the chance for the rest of my life to do both is the only thing preventing me from doing either. Trembling, I sit back on my heels.

“I never want us to end, but it’s time to begin the last part of our lives together.” Pulling open the box, Cal removes a yellow diamond set in a yellow-gold band. Lifting my shaking hand, he kisses the back of it before he slides the ring on. “It reminded me of sunflowers. It reminds me of you.”

“God, Cal,” I plead. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to hold off crying, and I don’t want to. I want to memorize every moment of this with clear eyes.

“I love you, Libby. Always. Please marry me?” His deep voice, which normally carries a note of both seductiveness and command, is pleading. “I didn’t know how to love until I found a woman who taught me what it meant. You make me feel everything.”

Without delay, I give him the word I said to him ever since I stood in the door and found him on his knees.

“Yes.”

Cal grabs me into his arms and, standing, lifts me into his arms. He kisses me long and deep, devouring me as he moves us over to the couch. “The bedroom’s not far,” I murmur, knowing Cal’s penchant for taking me more than once.

He kisses me. “I want you next to the flowers that fade beneath your light, Libby.” Reaching behind me for the zipper to my dress, he falls silent for a moment before a breath hisses out between his teeth when he spies the strapless bra, thong, and garters I’m wearing. “Damn.”

It’s nice to know that on a night where Cal’s made my heart explode, I still managed to surprise him.

23

Present Day

Elizabeth

“How long did it take for Cal to talk with you about who he was?”

Lifting my wrist, I glance down. “How long have we been talking?”

We both laugh. Dr. Powell shakes his head at my sass. “All joking aside, you’d known each other for years, had been dating a while. He knew your family—some would say fairly well. When did he open up?”

The light dawns. “You mean about his past. About how he grew up.” Fury begins to crawl across my skin like I’ve just stepped in a nest of fire ants.

“Yes.” But it’s said warily as if he realizes he’s unleashed something he can’t control.

“Isn’t it ironic that a man whose life has been so picked apart in so many ways has given his whole damn life to protect the very people who have the freedom to hurl insults at him about our marriage? About his honor? I’m the one wearing his rings; it’s between me, Cal, and God to determine what’s right and wrong!” I shout.

Dr. Powell holds up his folder as if that’s going to protect himself. It takes me a moment to realize I’ve picked up the juice at my side. “Oops. Sorry.” I take a moment to calm my temper down.

“I was afraid I was about to be bathed in apple juice,” he jokes.

“It’s not as sticky as orange,” I return.

“You’re an expert on this?”

I flush hotly. “Well…”

No longer afraid of flying juice bottles, Dr. Powell leans forward. I acquiesce. “It was actually the morning after Cal and I got engaged. We were talking about kids.”

“You both wanted them?”