Page 35 of Chasing His Bride

“And you can be loved,” I say, staring into her eyes, hoping she’s okay with my observation. “Let me prove to you I won’t abandon you. Let me take care of you.”

“Why?”

“Because I love you,” I say. My heart clenches as I say the words. “I’ve never loved anyone, ever, like I love you. I’ve never told anyone I loved them.”

Tears lace her eyes.

I blow out a breath. “I fucking love you, and I should’ve told you that the moment I knew,” I say. “And I know what I feel is real because you’re always on my mind. I finally inherited my family business, but without you by my side. It just doesn’t seem to matter. For the first time in my life, work isn’t number one, and ... and... I just miss you … I miss you so fucking much.”

“I miss you too,” she whispers, still in shock.

I’m in the middle of the hotel, but I lower on one knee; she slams her hand on her mouth, hiding a shaky breath.

“I never got to ask you to marry me,” I say. “Not properly and seriously. And I want to make that right, Amber Greyson. I mean Clark.”

She laughs.

“Amber, I love you. Stay committed to our marriage because you truly want to. Because I want to spend my life with you. Stay married to me because you want to spend your life with me. If you want a big wedding, I’ll give you it. I’ll give anything if you agree to be my wife forever.”

I flip open the small velvet box, open the lid, and there’s a beautiful diamond ring I designed for her inside. “I thought you needed an engagement ring.”

My vision swims, and I draw a shaky breath. This is it; I’m making this real.

“I didn’t, but it’s perfect,” she says and bites her lip.

“You need to know,” I say. “That once you say yes, you’re mine, forever. I love you, and I promise I’ll never hurt you again. We’ll search for your father; we’ll... we’ll be happy. I’ll make you happy.”

Tears fall from her eyes as I say that. She nods.

“Is that yes? Are you staying married to me?” I whisper. “Oh, god, I love you.”

“Yes!” She laughs and wipes tears from her eyes. “Get up off your knees and kiss me.” I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her to me as she wraps her arms around my neck.

My hand closes on the back of her neck as I pull her closer, and our lips lock, and I feel it again as we kiss with everything we have.

The kiss intensifies, sending shivers down my spine. I break off the kiss, savoring the lingering taste of her on my lips.

I take the prenuptial agreement napkin from my pocket and place it on the table, then I push another piece of paper toward her. She picks up her purse and takes out a pen, which makes me smile because I know she thinks this is an official prenuptial agreement to replace the one she made on the napkin in Vegas.

I pick up the napkin and rip it up. “We don’t need this.”

She smiles, tilting her head to one side with a smirk. “I’m a divorce lawyer; you should have got me to sign this one first.”

“I know you love me for me.” I do; she left a one million dollars on the table, even though she had debts. “That piece of paper is not a prenup. I don’t need one. I’m never divorcing you or you me.”

“You are so bossy.”

I smile. “Read it; it tells you I’m clean of STDs,” I say. She takes the paper and glances over it.

“I’m still not on birth control.”

“Good, I want to start a family with you.”

“Bossy again,” she says, but smiles. “Maybe I’m not ready.”

“Oh,” I murmur.

“Or maybe I am.” She grins. “You are getting on.”

---