Page 163 of My Ruthless Opponent

Would he leave me? Would he move on with someone else?

My stomach drops, and fire licks at my skin when I think of anyone else having Raleigh. I didn’t know I could experience this level of jealousy and possessiveness. But I do.

I wasn’t looking for love but I found it nonetheless.

When we enter the cabana, Raleigh faces me and reaches inside his jeans pocket before bending down on one knee.

My eyes widen when he opens the little black box. It holds a two-carat princess cut diamond ring.

I was expecting him to have a ring. But this diamond ring looks authentic. Did he actually buy a real diamond ring for me?

It’s then that the reality hits. This is all a setup. The cameraman is out there somewhere taking pictures of us. And I have to act my part.

Earlier in the banquet hall, it was easier.

Pretending after witnessing that romantic surprise doesn’t seem easy. But I swallow the lump in my throat and will myself to smile.

“Hannah,” Baby blue eyes lock on mine, on his knee, Raleigh begins. “The first time I met you, it wasn’t love at first sight.” He chuckles. I on the other hand am stunned.

Raleigh doesn’t need to say anything. It’s a concept photoshoot after all.

“I loved tormenting you. Thought you deserved every bit of taunts and insults I hurled at you. But when I spent time with you and got to know you, my feelings for you gradually changed…” He chuckles and shakes his head.

“In no time, you became important to me. I have only a few people I can count on and now you are one of them.”

The sincerity in his voice brings tears to my eyes.

“We are on this crazy adventure and to be honest, I couldn’t have asked for a better partner than you. So, Miss Hannah L—” He coughs then clears his throat.

“Are you okay?” I ask, concerned.

He nods, averting his eyes for a second before bringing his eyes back on me. “Hannah Cooper, I want you in my life forever. Will you be officially mine?”

I smile. In his way, he made this proposal genuine. He didn’t ask me to be his wife but asked me to be his. And I am his.

I don’t hesitate. “Yes.” I give him a watery chuckle as he slides the ring on my finger, pushes to his feet, and pulls me in for a deep kiss.

I pour all my love into the kiss.

I am so touched by his proposal. His little speech made it all believable and real. Without giving a label to our relationship, he proposed in such a way that hinted at his feelings for me.

He asked me to be his. I smile against his lips.

When he breaks the kiss, I just stare up at him. Under the fairy lights, he looks absolutely stunning, otherworldly.

He is my first love and I desperately want him to be my last.

I reach up and frame his face in my hands, caressing lovingly. He gazes down at me, leaning into my touch.

“You’re mine.” My eyes move over his features. “Aren’t you?”

He closes his eyes. “Yes.” He breathes.

I go on my tiptoe and kiss the tip of his nose. Then his forehead. Then his closed lids. He takes me in his arms, his jacket falling in the process. Who needs a jacket when his arms can keep me warm?

This is heaven. I bury my nose in his throat.Heis heaven. My heaven.

My eyes fall shut when his lips brush against my brow.

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