Page 10 of Return To You

He takes me in, noticing my forearm tattoo, and he sighs, "She'll be right out."

I give him a nod and quickly turn, grabbing the small box. I take the rose bracelet out, chuck the box on the back seat, and stand straight again, facing Rose's father.

Rafael looks at my hands, noticing the bracelet. Something softens in his eyes before he clears his throat and says, "I put the money for her dress into her account. Make sure she keeps it; she deserves to have something else to remember this day."

I smirk. "I can try, but that girl is more stubborn than a bull. She wouldn't even let me pay for it."

He smiles slightly. "Yeah, just like her momma…." I tilt my head, and he sighs and admits, "I don't hate you, son. I know you think I do, but?—"

I cut him off, "I wouldn't blame you if you did. I'm full of tattoos and piercings, and I was born on the wrong side of the tracks."

He grins, his tanned skin showcasing his white teeth as he states, "So was my wife." My eyes widen at his admission, and he chuckles. "She lived four trailers down from your mom's, andhad this massive rose tattoo on her back, hence my daughter's name. Rose just doesn’t know. Every time I try to bring her mother up, she shuts down. She thinks I dislike her because of how my wife died, but the truth, I'm just hoping, if I'm hard on her, then she'll be as strong as her mother, and strength is something she needs to have in this world."

I nod in understanding, then murmur, "There's ensuring she's strong like her mother, but there's also pushing her away, which is what you've done. You can still be there for her while keeping her grounded." He tilts his head in understanding, and I clear my throat and look down, suddenly feeling really fucking nervous. I give myself a mental shake before looking up and making eye contact with him. I state, "After she graduates…I want to marry your daughter, sir."

His eyes widen a little at my admittance, his mouth parting, but before he can say anything, the double doors behind him open, and fuck me….

I swallow my tongue; my girl, fuck, she's a vision.

Rafael steps to the side a little, looking at his daughter in awe. I'm trying not to fucking fall at her feet.

Her dark blue dress, the same fucking color as my eyes, hugs her upper body perfectly, and flows gently from her waist downward, a short train trailing behind her.

It's only held up by her breasts; her slender shoulders that I love to run my lips along, are bare, the silver music pendant I gave her last year is hanging from her neck, and her red hair is curled down her back.

My eyes take her in before they lock with hers, a beautiful blush on her makeup-free cheeks.

She's fucking beautiful, and honestly, I have no clue how I managed to land her.

I watch, entranced, as her father whispers something in her ear, causing her eyes to tear up, before she kisses his cheek. Ismile at his reaction as he places his hands behind his back like he's trying his hardest not to grab hold of her and hug her as she makes her way down the steps.

Instead of staying next to the car, I move my legs in long strides, meeting her at the bottom step. She giggles, causing me to grin as I hold my left hand out to her. She takes it willingly, but instead of helping her off the last step, I kneel and place the rose bracelet on her wrist, making her gasp.

Most girls tonight will wear real flowers, while mine, she'll wear a silver bangle with a dark blue rose, and as soon as the clasp is secure, she won't be able to take it off.

I smile as I stand, and rasp, "You look mesmerizing, Petal."

She blushes. "You look handsome. I didn't even know you owned slacks…."

I laugh and gently kiss her forehead, aware of her father watching us. Carefully, I help her down the steps, and look his way.

His smile is wide as he says, "You have my blessing."

I sigh in relief, not that I needed his blessing or anything, but I know it's the right way to go about things. I give him a grateful nod while Rose furrows her brows, but smiles when I kiss her wrist.

"You know this will won’t come off unless you cut it," I rasp as I help her into the limo, gently stroking her bracelet.

She looks my way and grins. "It's a good thing I never want to lose you then, huh?"

I chuckle and climb in after her, shutting the door before pressing my lips against hers, instantly tangling our tongues.

Rose sighs in contentment, falling into my body as I deepen the kiss.

Yeah, I'll never let her leave me. It's just a shame I didn’t think of this moment and the way she melts into me, because then I could have saved us so much fucking hurt….

three

Rose

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