Page 59 of Her Secret Santa

And then there’s a crash, and the door bursts open.

I stare at Zade in pure shock as he steps through the now open doorway, the door swinging halfheartedly on its hinges, lock completely blown out. I thought he might have a key to it, but I never expected him tokick it down.

I almost fall to my knees right here as lust slams into me just at the thought.

“Nowhere to hide, pretty girl,” he teases, a wolfish grin on his face.

I frantically try the door closest to me—no luck. He stalks down the hall, unhurried and certain of his capture as I bounce between the doors, hoping one will open. The thought of him pinning me to the wall in the hallway isn’t unappealing at all, but I won’t give up the chase so easily.

He closes the distance slowly, the lazy stalk of a predator, and I shout out a triumphant laugh when the last door I try swings open.

My plan is to rush inside and hope he pins me to the bed and ravishes me, but I stumble to a halt the second I lay eyes on the room. It's lit with what has to be a thousand LED candles, the flames flickering hypnotically and casting twisting shadows up the walls. Rose petals blanket the floor, soft and fragrant beneath my feet, a wash of red laid out in a perfect heart on the bed.

I choke on a gasp when Zade presses his entire body against mine from behind, one arm wrapping around my waist possessively while his other hand comes up to rest at my throat.

He doesn't squeeze, just holds me, feels the pounding of my pulse against his fingers.

“Caught you,” he whispers, pressing his lips against the column of my throat. “There's nowhere left to go, little one.”

I shiver against him, helpless in his hold. I'm torn between overwhelming arousal and the desire to spin in his arms and kiss every inch of his face. I never thought I'd get anything like this, never thought someone would be so willing to make every dream of mine come true.

“I'm right where I want to be,” I whisper in response.

He kisses my shoulder, chaste and soft, but there's no mistaking the hard line of his cock against my ass as he leads me forward into the room. I go easily, following his lead and letting him spin me around when we reach the bed and then lower me down to sit on the edge.

He drops to his knees in front of me, hands on my waist as he looks up at me with pure adoration in his eyes.

“This is the first room I ever took you to,” he tells me.

My heart twinges affectionately in my chest.

“I didn't know you remembered.”

“As if I could ever forget,” he scoffs. “I wanted to do this here, where I made you mine the first time. I want to make you mine properly.”

I watch in confusion as he pulls back and reaches into the pocket of his well-pressed black slacks. His eyes don't leave mine for a second, hunger and want swimming in their depths.

“You know I'm yours.”

As if I could be anything but.

“I do,” he says, smiling wide. “But I also know I love you, Clara. I know I own you.” He traces the edge of the diamond bracelet on my wrist, a collar in all but title. His name is stamped inside of it, a reminder of who I belong to, who protects me. I never take it off. “But I want the world to know too. I wanteveryone who looks at you to know that you'remine. I want the whole world to hear me loud and clear when I say that I will never let you go. I want you to marry me, Clara.”

Shock courses through me like a tidal wave.

He pulls a box out of his pocket and flips the lid up. A silver band set with a bigger diamond than I've ever seen in my entire life sparkles under the warm light of the candles.

My hand shakes violently as I reach out to touch it, not even able to believe it's real.

I can't be dreaming right now.

“Is that a yes?”

Zade’s voice is shaky, an uncertain smile wobbling on his lips. It's then that I realize I've just been sitting here, staring at him, dumbfounded.

It takes several tries to get my mouth to work, but as soon as the words start coming, the whole world rushes back into focus.

“Yes! God, Zade, yes, of course, a million times yes.” I practically launch myself into his arms, sending both of us tumbling down to the floor amidst the rose petals. “Yes, I'll marry you. I love you so much, Zade, I love you.”

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