Page 37 of Plain Jade

This was new for Jade—telling a guy that she loved him, only for him to freak out and leave the next morning. The sex had been amazing, there was no doubt about that. But, was it worth the hurt feelings after? She wanted to hate Braxton, but at the same time, she still loved him.

She knew it was stupid of her, that he’d used her. Her apartment had been the only place he had to stay, and she’d lapped it up like some pathetic puppy dog. She was the crazy one in this relationship. Braxton made no promises.

He made love to her body and drove her wild with his tongue and hands. She had to learn to say no. That was what she kept telling herself every time her thoughts wandered to Braxton. Much to her own embarrassment, it happened a lot. He dominated her thoughts and he didn’t have a right to be there. She had to stop thinking about him.

Rubbing at her temples, she walked out of the main shop. Lucille was once again yammering on about her husband and children. She loved to hear about them all the time, they were a dream and a treasure, but right now, it was annoying. Forcing a smile to her lips, she nodded at the appropriate times and tried to be nice.

Lucille suddenly stopped talking and glanced over her shoulder. Jade frowned and then took a chance and looked behind her, to see that Braxton was heading their way.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Braxton said, putting a hand at her back and leaning down to kiss her. “It was busy at the office.”

She was too stunned to push him away.

“Ugh, I don’t think you and I have met,” Lucille said, holding out her hand.

“That’s right, I’m Jade’s fiancé,” he said. He took hold of Lucille’s hand and shook it.

Jade didn’t know what was going on now. She was in a state of panic, but she tried to ignore it. Braxton was at her workplace, describing himself as her fiancé. She was confused. She tried to spend her working days over the past couple of weeks trying not to think about him, and yet here he was.

“Fiancé? I didn’t know you were engaged,” Lucille said.

“Neither did I,” Jade said.

“It was sudden, but from the moment I met Jade, I knew she was the one.”

She wanted to turn on her heel and demand he explain himself. She stayed perfectly still and kept the smile on her face, to the point she was starting to think her face was going to break.

“Do you mind if I steal her away?” Braxton asked, sounding all very nice about everything, when it was the exact opposite.

Lucille nodded and gave her a look that clearly stated there was going to be a demand for details.

This was insane. She had to be asleep and it was time for her to wake up. She pinched herself but nothing helped.

Braxton kept a hand at her back all the way home. There was not a single moment where she could stop him.

Arriving at her apartment, she left him to bolt the door, removed her jacket and bag, and threw them onto the sofa.

She spun around and glared at him. “What the hell were you thinking? That was my boss, and you weren’t exactly forthcoming with your name for me. Why now?”

“She’s going to need to know who you are married to.”

“And that brings me right back to this. Who says I’m going to marry you?” She wanted to stamp her foot, but she stayed still, crossing her arms over her chest.

Braxton didn’t answer right away. He took several steps toward her and then went down onto one knee and held up a velvet box, which he opened.

“Jade Newton, I am completely, totally in love with you. I wanted to tell you the other day, but you got there first, and then I had to take care of business. I needed to know I would be able to tell you how I felt, and also ask you to marry me. I don’t know if you will or not. That’s why I told that woman I’m hoping you’ll give me a chance.”

“What?” she asked. This was unexpected, and she hated to admit it, but also incredibly romantic.

“I love you and I want to spend all my life with you, Jade. I know you deserve better than me, but I cannot live without you. I don’t want to live without you.”

Jade didn’t need to hear any more. She went to him and kissed him.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in close. “I love you,” he said, telling her in between kisses. She laughed, not wanting to let him go.

“I love you.”

“Is that a yes to my proposal?” he asked.

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