Page 193 of Thorns of Malice

Her smile widens. "Yeah, it's always better if it's a good thing." She reaches up and hugs me. "Thank you for doing that."

I nod. "You're welcome. And there's something else I want to tell you."

"What is it?" she questions.

My stomach dives. "My research team is telling me that they aren't any closer to eliminating the risks for NeuroZap. I've brought two other highly sought-after teams to work with our existing one, but they all confirm the same conclusion. They can't give me an estimated time frame when or if it'll ever happen."

She tilts her head and puts her hand on my cheek. "I'm sorry. I know this is important to you."

I rarely feel anything but successful, but the issues with NeuroZap make me feel like I failed Ivy. I hate it.

She puts her hand on my cheek reassuringly. "Dax, it's okay. NeuroZap is still helping a lot of people."

"It's not okay. I've let you down," I insist.

She shakes her head. "No, you've not let me down, and I don't need NeuroZap. When you gave me the other drug, it stopped the progression. Besides, there's no one I want besides you."

"You don't?" I cautiously ask.

She studies me, then shakes her head. "No, Dax. I only want you. My addiction caused me to do things I was ashamed of for one reason." She pauses.

I wait, my heart racing faster.

She claims, "I did those things searching for you. But I have you now, and I'm okay. Unless you think we're having too much sex?"

I chuckle. "Is that even a real question?"

"Yes."

"How could you think I have any complaints?"

Her lips twitch. "Good. Then stop worrying about NeuroZap and the risks. I think it's great you're trying to eliminate it for other people, but I don't need it. As long as I have you, I'm fine. I can accept my addiction. You accept me and feed every urge I have. So I'm okay with it now. It's part of who I am, and I'm not ashamed anymore."

I study her, pondering her words, and I can't handle it anymore. I pull the box out of my pocket, that I meant to reveal later tonight, and kneel on the floor. I open the lid and hold it in front of her.

She puts her hand over her mouth and holds her breath.

Anxiety I don't usually experience attacks me. My mouth turns dry, and I swallow hard. I declare, "Ivy, I've wanted you since the moment I saw you. No matter what obstacle was infront of us, we've overcome it. Granted, most of those obstacles were my fault, but you're everything I've ever wanted. I can't comprehend ever living another second without you. And you're too good for me. You've always been too good for me. But I'm a selfish man, and the only way I'm letting you go is through death. Even then, I'll still have my soul entwined around yours, fighting to keep you with me through eternity. So I want you to be my wife. As much as I know you can do better, please say yes and become Mrs. Dax Carrington. Please, baby girl. Tell me you'll say yes and marry me."

Her glistening eyes dart between the ring and me. Her lips quiver and a tear rolls down her cheek.

"Please tell me you'll marry me," I say, my voice not as confident, afraid her silence means she won't.

She finally throws her arms around me and cries out, "Of course I'll marry you, you silly fool. All I've ever wanted to do is marry you."

I hold her tight, a surge of happiness pummeling me like never before, knowing I finally have it all.

I have her.

Forever.

35

Ivy

Six Months Later

Lilly claps, squealing, "You look so beautiful!"

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