Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 92474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“Why not?”
“B-because I just cried my eyes out on your lap, and you had to wipe my snotty nose.”
“Still love you.”
“I’ve barely slept. I look like a complete fright.”
“Still love you.”
“I just confronted my niece who set my bakery on fire, and she didn’t even care.”
“Still love you.”
“You don’t have a ring,” she whispered.
“I do have a ring.”
What? Was he serious? He picked her up in his arms, carrying her bridal style. She’d given up telling him that he couldn’t carry her like this. When they got to the door to his room, he set her down and walked inside. She followed him in slowly while he searched through his drawers.
He picked out a jewelry box. It looked a bit worn. How long had he owned this? Longer than he’d known her.
“We’ve only been on two dates,” she whispered as he got onto one knee.
“Still love you.”
“I have no job, no money, and no idea what I’m going to do with my life.”
“Still love you.”
Tears dripped down her face. Seemed she did still have some moisture inside her.
“We’ve only known each other a short while.”
“And I know that I will love you every day from now until I die. And after. There has never been someone in my life like you. I live in the darkness. I’ve done terrible things. I don’t deserve you. Probably never will. But no one will ever love you like I do. Gracen Rose Stall, will you marry me?” He opened the jewelry box and she gasped as she saw the most beautiful ring she’d ever laid eyes on.
It had a pale pink sapphire in the middle and clusters of diamonds on each side.
She dropped to her knees on the plush carpet and held out her shaking hand.
“Yes.” It was all she was capable of saying. Tears streamed down her face, and she sobbed with happiness this time as he slid the ring onto her finger. It was slightly tight, but it went on.
“We’ll get it resized,” he told her. “It was my grandmother’s ring. She left it to me to give to someone special.”
“It’s stunning. Thank you. Thank you!” She threw herself at him.
He held her tightly, kissing the top of her head. “Stop crying now, baby.”
“They’re happy tears.” It was insane how she’d gone from feeling the lowest of lows to the highest of highs.
Which might be why she was feeling woozy and out of it.
“I know. But I’m worried you’re going to dehydrate.”
Setting her aside, he stood then lifted her. When he stood her on her feet, she wobbled.
Okay. She probably should eat something.
“Whoa. Are you all right? What’s wrong?” he asked in a sharp voice.
“I’m fine. I just feel a bit light-headed.”
A grim look came over his face. “You need a doctor.”
“What? No! Really, I’m not sick. I just . . . it’s been a lot and I haven’t had much sleep. Or food. I’m fine, Victor.”
“That’s it. You’re going to bed.” He picked her up, then laid her down on the bed. “I’m going to get you into your pajamas. Then I’ll get you something to eat and drink. You’re going to spend all of tomorrow in bed resting.”
“I’m not spending all of tomorrow in bed resting.”
“Yes, you are. You’re wearing my ring now. That means you obey me.”
She made a scoffing noise. “You’re dreaming, buddy.”
He stared down at her with soft eyes. “If I am, I hope I never wake up.”
She melted. He was the sweetest guy.
24
The man was a tyrant.
Actually, he made tyrants look good.
“Victor, I’m not sick. I slept all night. I feel fine.”
“You don’t look fine,” he countered as he fussed with her covers.
This kind of felt surreal. This huge man with the scarred knuckles, who’d actually stalked her at one time, was fussing over her bed covers like they were the most important thing to him right now. He was determined not to let her out of bed today, which was crazy.
“Why? How bad do I look?” She tried to scoot out his side of the bed, but he placed a hand on the mattress, keeping her in place.
“You look beautiful.”
She glared up at him. He couldn’t have it both ways. “You said I don’t look fine.”
“You look pale and tired. But still beautiful. Now, what would you like to eat?”
“I just had breakfast.”
“And now it’s time for a morning snack.”
“I’m not hungry.”
He frowned. “I don’t like your lack of appetite. I think I should have Regent call for the doctor.”
“I don’t need a doctor.” But he might if he kept this up. “I just haven’t done anything to work up an appetite. And not all of us are sized extra-extra-large.”
“You calling me fat?” He gave her a mock-scowl.
“No one could ever call you fat. But it takes a lot of calories to keep you going. Me, not so much.”