“What’re these?” I ask.
Looking uncomfortable, he says, “Just look at some of them.” The first page is an article off the Internet titled, Ten Original Ways to Propose. The next is titled, How to Know That She’ll Say Yes! I am astonished to find there are probably fifty or more printouts that are all more of the same. Lucian, it seems, has been looking to Google for advice on asking me to marry him. He leaves the room while I sob and returns within moments. Dropping to his knees once again, he takes my left hand in his. “Lia Adams, love of my life, mother of my child and keeper of my heart, thank you for saving me from potentially months more of muddling through my insecurities before I asked you to be my wife. Will you please do me the honor of sharing my life, walking by my side, and being my love in this life and the next?”
I’m ugly crying again, but I couldn’t care less. I nod my head while sobbing, “Yes, yes!”
He takes something from his pocket and holds it up for me to see. “This was my grandmother’s wedding ring. My mother and then my aunt kept it for me all these years in the hopes that I would find my soulmate. You’re the only woman I’ve ever given this ring to. It belonged to you from the moment we met.” I understand he’s telling me that he didn’t give it to Cassie when they were engaged. I catch my breath as the antique princess-cut diamond gleams brightly. It’s huge and must surely be worth a small fortune. It slides easily onto my ring finger as if it were made for me.
“It fits,” I gasp in delight.
“It took me two weeks to get you to stay still enough while you were sleeping to measure your finger with a piece of dental floss,” Lucian teases. “Shit, baby, you toss and turn constantly. Our bed was riddled with the stuff every morning after you’d jerk your hand and send another piece of it flying.”
“Oh, my God.” I burst out laughing. “Was that what you were doing? I thought you had taken to flossing your teeth in bed. I couldn’t figure out why I never saw you do it, but there were pieces in the bed when I went to make it.” Holding my fingers just a bit apart, I add, “I was this close to telling you to stop grossing me out with your used floss.” Staring down at the ring, I joke, “This sucker is pretty awesome, but let the record show that I asked you first. I want that documented in the family history book.” I’m giddy with happiness but with relief as well. I’d been so terrified after my abrupt proposal. I’m beyond thankful that we were both very much on the same page.
“You got it, baby,” he says easily before pulling me to my feet. “Now how about I give you something else to add to that book?” When I reach down to cup his hard length through his trousers, he shudders. “On second thought, I don’t think our kids need to know the dirty tricks their mother used on me until I agreed to marry her.”
Indignant, I huff out, “You’re so going to pay for that, Mr. Quinn.”
Leering at me, he purrs, “I fucking hope so, future Mrs. Quinn.” If I hadn’t already been turned on, then that would have done it. Mrs. Lucian Quinn—yes, please!
Chapter Seventeen
Lucian
I walk into the conference room to find Aidan and Max already there. “Sorry, I got held up by a last-minute call,” I say as I take a seat at the head of the table. Aidan smirks at me, correctly assuming it was Lia. She’s the only person that I set aside my well-organized schedule for. When she was in school during the day, with a lot of people around, I didn’t worry quite so much. Now she’s alone more, and I like to check in with her just to make sure everything’s okay. The only drawback of having something so precious in my life is the fear of losing it. I may drive her insane, but I’ll never stop taking care of her.
“How’s your beautiful girlfriend doing today?” Aidan asks while Max pretends to study his cell phone.
“Fiancée,” I automatically correct as I take a bottle of water from in front of me and open it.
Before I can take a drink, Aidan sputters, “When did I miss this? You didn’t tell me you proposed to Lia.” Turning to Max, he demands, “Did you know? Why am I the last to find out anything around here?”
“Calm down, drama queen,” I say dryly. “We haven’t told anyone yet. It just happened a few days ago.”
Max gets to his feet and extends his hand to me. “Congratulations, Luc. I’m happy for you both. Lia is a wonderful woman.”
Aidan, never one to be outdone, skips the handshake and pulls me to my feet and into a full-fledged hug. “Damn, that’s great, brother. She’s the top of the heap. You’re marrying up, for sure.”
“Um, thanks…I think. I appreciate the well wishes.”
“So, how did this all come about? The last time I mentioned it, you were somewhat hesitant to make that move. Hell, that hasn’t been that long ago. What changed your mind?” Aidan asks, looking curious.
I give a satisfied smile as I admit, “Lia proposed to me, and I said yes.” Maybe it’s unconventional, but I’m still thrilled that my woman loves me enough to let me know she wants me—forever. In another week, I’d have probably beaten her to it, but it means more to me than she’ll ever know that she did it first. I love her so fucking much it borders on obsession. To have her completely leave her comfort zone to do something like that blows me away.
“No shit.” Max sounds amazed, which I try not to take offense to.