Page 118 of Wrapped in Red

“It’s too much,” I blurted out.

“It’s not enough.”

“That diamond is...how big is that?”

CC chuckled. “That’s a rather personal question, isn’t it, Ezra?” He pulled me flush against his firm body.

“Take it back,” I whispered as I stared at my hand, the Christmas lights shining off the diamond. It was mesmerizing.

CC rubbed his palms over my back. “Do you not like it? Do you want something else?”

“That diamond is ridiculous.” I brought my finger up and traced it lightly. “It’s stunning, Carson.” I glanced up at him. He was my fiancé now. But when he tried to touch it, I yanked my hand away and hid it behind my back.

CC chuckled softly. “I thought you said you wanted me to take it back?”

“Too late. It’s mine now. You’re stuck with me. No takebacks, Carson.” I dragged my hand back out and placed it against his chest. “It sparkles so brightly.”

“Just like you.”

I glanced up at him.

“What, you think you don’t brighten every room you walk into?”

I ducked my head. “I suppose I’ve never really thought about it.”

“Well, you do. You’re the brightest star I’ve ever seen, Ezra.”

“Love me forever,” I whispered before I could stop myself.

CC smiled down at me. “I plan on it.”

***

Istared down at myhand. Okay, I was staring at the ring on my finger. Last night, CC had shown me just how much he planned to love me by fucking me right beneath the Christmas tree. Twice. Then he helped me to bed and whispered that he loved me just as I drifted off to sleep. I didn’t remember ever feeling this happy. Not once. Not when he told me loved me or when he asked me to move to North Carolina with him. Now I finally understood what Maverick, Holt, and Matthias were talking about. Speaking of—

I untangled myself from my sleeping fiancé. I was going to milk that one until he became my husband, and then I would never stop calling CC that. It would just be husband this and husband that. I might never call him by his name again. I went into the bathroom to freshen up and then quickly grabbed my phone. Talk about a bunch of gossips. Did CC think I was bad, because he honestly hadn’t seen anything when it came to these four. I quickly scanned the messages, my heart breaking for poor Noel, before I added my own.

Ezra:CC ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM!

I included a picture of my ring before I dropped my phone on the counter. I climbed up to grab the coffee, turned on the machine, and listened to the messages as they started to come through.

Holt:Holy shit, look at that thing! It must weigh at least ten pounds.

Maverick:It’s gorgeous.

Matthias:Congratulations, boo! I’m so happy for you. Yeah, I had to come back.

Noel:It’s nice, isn’t it?

Maverick:Wait a second. Did you know about this?

Noel:I might have been there when Carson picked it out.

Maverick:You are out of the WAGs! How dare you not share with the rest of the class?

Holt:Mav, would you have been able to keep that a secret from Ezra?

Matthias: Kill knew and he couldn’t wait to tell me. See how well that worked out?