Page 113 of Mine to Ruin

Downstairs, I get everything ready with my heart pounding in my chest.

Chapter 37

Ellia

He swallows, his hand clammy in mine as he steals a glance at me and his lips part in a shy smile. I ponder why the uncharacteristic behavior.

“Close your eyes, angel. And don’t open them until I tell you.”

Excited about the surprise that has him acting so strange, I close my eyes. He guides me down the stairs by the hand then with his hands on my shoulders and into what I think is the living room.

“Now you can look.”

I open my eyes, and my hands fly to my mouth, tears gathering. Lit candles form a heart on the floor, dozens of rose petals are scattered around the room, and we’re standing in the middle of it all. I find Kian on one knee when I draw my gaze to him. I gasp in surprise.

“Ellia Dewine, I never expected you in my life, but you already stole a piece of my heart, years before. It kept me going during a time when I had no desire or will to live. Years later, you showed up again, a splash of colors, and painted my life with meaning and light.”

Tears run down my cheeks as emotion choke me.

“Wherever life takes us, I want it with you. To wake up next to you, to fall asleep next to you. Today and for all the tomorrows. I will love you until my last breath, and beyond. Fuck it if it’s too soon. You are right for me, in every way, even when I don’t even believe I am right for myself. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I swear to you I will always be the man who tries to give you his best. Will you marry me?”

I drop to my knees, and I nod continuously, and he cups my face between his trembling hands.

“Words, Ellia.”

“Yes, I want to marry you. You’re perfect. I love you with all of me,” I say with my heart trying to burst through my chest.

He slides a princess cut diamond ring down my finger, and I feel a change, the weight of the ring symbolizing our love and desire to share our life, and my skin prickles in anticipation.

“Thank you for making me the happiest man alive.”

“So this is what it takes for you to be a mess, getting you on one knee?” I ask, and he chuckles.

“I get on my knees for one person and one person only.”

He stands up and gathers me in his arms, the flames of the candles reflecting in the diamond on my ring. In a low gravelly voice that awakens a battalion of butterflies, he says, “I love you.”

“I love you, Kian. So very much.”

The club is packed and music blares. Kian puts his hand on my lower back, and we take our seats in the VIP lounge. He orders a bottle of champagne and I lift my hand in the air and Aubrey and Tara bounce up and down, squealing.

“I’m engaged!”

The guys pat Kian on the shoulders, congratulating us. Brandon’s face is a canvas of incredulity. He sways on his legs and says in a cracked voice,

“I don’t know whether to congratulate you or say I am sorry.”

Disappointment floods me, and I turn away and let him spew his venom at someone else. Melanie stomps away. The rest of the night Brandon downs one glass after the other. My fiancé interlaces his hands around my waist as we dance, kissing my neck.

“From too young and not ready to fiancée and wife-to-be.”

“Yes, I went full circle with you.”

He chuckles and I add, “We both know you had me the moment our eyes locked that first night.”

“I didn’t even want to attend the opening of the club, but then my eyes landed on you, and I was hooked. You left a trail of light I had to chase.”

I turn in his arms and confess, “There were times I wondered if you even liked me.”

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