Page 121 of Enchanting the CEO

"And I'll pay attention to all of your superstitions. And I solemnly swear that I will never, ever cook without following a recipe. I promise to watch all your Christmas movies with you, come November and December."

I bit my lower lip and laughed nervously. "Just so you know, sometimes I start watching them in October, but I'm willing to compromise."

He laughed. "Compromise, huh?"

I smiled widely. "Well, then... how can I not marry you when you're making such a great case?"

This time he did put the ring on, then rose to his feet. I put my hands on his chest because that way I could look at both the man and the ring. I would admire the two of them until the end of time.

"I wanted to ask you here, in this place where I first realized I could never resist you. I can't wait for our life together to start."

"Hasn't it already?" I murmured.

“Okay, then I can't wait to start our life together as an engaged couple and then later husband and wife."

I smiled. "Thinking ahead already?"

"You know what I mean. I designed this place thinking I’d be here alone, but now it's the two of us. And I want you to be happy here. This is your home too. And one day, it will be the home of all our kids as well."

My heart leaped in my chest. I felt absolutely giddy.

"I can't wait for that day," I whispered.

"I can't wait either. I'll watch you in the evening, reading in your corner while I work out."

"Let’s make a deal. You can only work out when I’m watching you."

He grinned. "You can talk me into a lot right now. You have no idea how happy you've made me. How deeply you've changed everything I've stood for, everything I believed in." He shook his head lightly, closing his eyes for a moment and then opening them again. "I didn't think what we have existed for anyone, except perhaps my grandparents."

"And your brothers."

He kissed both of my hands. "Seeing the others in no way prepared me for how it would feel to experience it myself. I love you so damn much."

"And I love you too,” I said.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and climbed him because I wanted to jump his bones. He didn't even stumble backward. Yeah, tree was the right description for him. The man was sturdy and didn't sway. He was smiling against my lips.

"Do you think you can carry us to the bedroom?" I purred.

"Hell yes," he said.

"Thank God the stairs aren’t tricky like that damn spiral staircase."

"I can't say I'm sorry about those stairs. It helped my case a lot."

He laughed and kissed my neck, jostling me up the stairs before stepping inside the master bedroom. It was huge and full of light.

"I can barely believe that I'm here with you. I want to pinch myself."

He smiled wolfishly. "I have an idea how to convince you that this is real, fiancée. It's so much better than pinching. That I promise."

Epilogue

Gabe

September

"I’m so happy you could all make it here," I said. "Welcome."

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