“I am. He’s a good man, Isaac. He loves me. It’s not about what he does for a living, or what I’ve done in my past, or how much money either of us has. It’s about who I am when I’m with him.” I shrug, a bit embarrassed. “He makes me feel special.”
“Ah, Nat. You are special, honey, I’m just glad you finally figured it out. It’s a pleasure watching you fall in love.” We winks down at me. “Now, before I get too mushy, can you babysit one of these nights? I need some serious alone time with my wife.”
I laugh. “Sure, shall we say in two weeks?”
“Oh, God, yes. Thank you.”
***
As the evening draws to a close, Luke pulls me out on the dance floor for one final dance. My feet are killing me, but I can’t refuse him. I love swaying in his arms.
I realize that the band is playing Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me and I turn my startled gaze up to his. He’s smiling down at me tenderly.
“I do believe this is our song. You look as beautiful tonight as you did that night, in the vineyard, in these pearls.
You take my breath away, Natalie Grace Conner.”
Oh.
I feel the tears in my eyes, as I gaze up at him. I run my fingers through his soft blonde hair. “You sure know how to sweep a girl off her feet, Luke Edward Williams.”
His eyes skim over my face as he moves me about the room. I swear, we’re the only two here and I don’t care who’s watching us.
He leans down and gently presses his cheek to mine. “Thank you,” he whispers.
“For what?” I whisper back.
“For being mine.”
***
When we reach Luke’s house he leads me inside and shuts the front door. He tugs my hand gently, pulling me into his arms.
“You were wonderful tonight. You charmed everyone,” he murmurs in my hair.
“I had a great time. Your family is wonderful.” I nuzzle his chest and inhale his sexy Luke scent.
“Are you sure you’re okay with us having the family here in the morning for brunch?”
“Of course. I’ll even help you cook.”
He chuckles. “Thank you for your service.”
“It’s a good cause. Let’s go to bed.”
I pull away but he stops me, his eyes suddenly serious.
“Not yet.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m more than okay. I have something to show you.”
“Oh, okay.”
He takes my hand in his and leads me through the room. He stops by the sound system and fires up his iPod and something bluesy and slow starts to pour out of the speakers. He leads us to the deck, opens the French door, and flips a switch and I gasp.
The deck has been transformed into soft and romantic. Bouquets of red roses with tiny white pearls tucked in the petals cover every surface. There are twinkling white lights strung back and forth, high along the ceiling of the space, and a small table is sitting by the loveseat with a bucket of ice and champagne and two glasses.
I twirl and gaze up at him, my eyes wide. “When did you do this?”
“I had it done earlier while we were getting ready for the party at your house.”
“Luke, it’s magical.” I turn to take in the beautiful space, breathless. He’s so romantic.
He wraps his arms around me from behind and buries his face in my neck.
“Do you like it?”
“I love it. Thank you.”
“Come, sit.” He leads me to the loveseat and we sit. My dress floats around my legs as I sit, and it feels soft against my skin. I smile to myself, remembering that I’m not wearing any underwear. Luke will enjoy that when he finds out.
He pours us each a glass of champagne, clinks his glass to mine and I take a sip.
“It’s nice tonight. It’s not even very cold.” I lean my head back against the cushion and close my eyes, listening to the water that we can’t see in the darkness. Luke lifts my feet into his lap and I turn my head so I can watch him.
He removes my shoes and starts to rub.
“Oh, sweet mother of God, I love you.”
He laughs. “Feet hurt?”
“A little. Those shoes are worth it.”
“Yes they are. Did I mention that you look beautiful tonight?”
“Once or twice.” I wink at him and sigh as his thumb pushes down the arch of my foot. “You’re good with your hands.”
“I’m glad you approve.”
“I could get used to this, you know.
All these flowers and foot rubs and champagne and you, my handsome boyfriend.”
He frowns and my heart stills for just a moment. What did I say wrong?
“Hey,” I pull my feet out of his lap and move toward him, lying across his lap. He wraps his arms around me, holding me to his chest, and I cup his face in my hand. “What is it?”
His eyes are on mine, intensely blue and serious, and I know that something important is on his mind.
“Talk to me, baby.” I continue to caress his face, and he turns his head to press a kiss in my palm.
“I don’t think I want to be your boyfriend anymore.”
What?
I still and narrow my eyes at him.
“Okay, I’ll get my things.” I move to get up but he tightens his hold on me, clenching his jaw and his eyes closed tightly.
“No, that’s not what I mean. I’m not breaking up with you.”
“What are you doing?” I whisper.
“I’m fucking this up.” He opens his eyes and I see fear, and longing, and love.
What’s this?
“I’ve wanted to do this all night, but I couldn’t find the right time, and I’m glad I didn’t because it should be here, while we’re alone.” He swallows and takes a deep breath. “Natalie, since I’ve known you, my world has changed. I found something with you that I didn’t know I was missing, but that I wanted very much. You are such a beautiful woman, inside and out. You beguile me. I can’t keep my hands off of you. You are so sexy and fun and smart. Your sassy mouth makes me crazy.” He smiles down at me and runs his fingertip along my lower lip.
I’m speechless, which is good because he doesn’t seem to be finished.
“I can’t ever imagine my life without you. You are the center of my world, Nat. I want to love you, protect you, fight with you, make babies with you and spoil the shit out of you for the rest of my life.”
He takes a deep breath and pulls a small Tiffany-blue box out of his pants pocket. I feel my eyes go wide, my heart rate spikes and my breath catches.