Page 29 of Billionaire's Surprise

“Are you too tired to continue?” I asked.

“Continue? I was joking.” Her gaze darkened, and the look she gave me made my cock instantly hard. “Do you mean I have another more intimate gift to unwrap?”

Her lips curled into a naughty grin as her gaze slid over me. My body instantly reacted. Then she crawled over to me and kissedme, her tongue running over my lower lip and her hands on my shoulders, pushing firmly to lay me out on the floor underneath her.

“Em,” I said, pulling away from her mouth. “You’re kind of stealing my thunder here.”

“Why?” She nuzzled my neck before nipping at my ear. “You’re my last present, aren’t you?”

“I am,” I assured her, gently pushing her up. “But there’s one that comes before me.”

Disentangling myself, I stood and went to the tree. I held her gaze while I reached into the branches and withdrew the ring box that had been there since I’d first entered the room almost a week ago.

Em’s lips dropped open, her eyes going wide, as I walked back to her then dropped to one knee. Her breath caught as I opened the box. Her hand covered her mouth, not masking a bit of her shocked expression. She didn’t look upset, though. Thank God.

I forged on, more anxious than ever. She had to say yes.

“Emerson Blake,” I said, staring into her suddenly misty eyes. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

“Are you serious?” she whispered.

“Do I look like I’m joking?” I pulled the ring from the box, snagged her trembling hand and slid the solitaire onto her dainty finger. “Please, say you’ll be mine.”

“I love you!” She threw herself into my arms, and I held her as she cried, smoothing her hair and kissing her cheek.

“Is that a yes?” I choked out, overwhelmed by my own emotions.

“Yes! Oh my God, Fray, yes!”

She pulled back, so I could kiss her properly, and I happily obliged. Cupping her face, I claimed her mouth. Our bodies pressed together, and I felt her heart thumping against my chest, her tears running over my thumbs.

“No more talk of cold Chicago winters alone,” I growled, leaning back to look down into her glistening eyes. “You’re coming home with me, and I’ll keep you warm during the long cold New York winters, we’ll barely notice the cold.”

She nodded, wiping the wetness from her face before she buried her face in my chest.

I stood, pulling her to her feet before I swept her into my arms and carried her to our bed.

“I love you, Emerson,” I told her, laying her on the mattress before climbing over her. “I’ve loved you since the moment I first saw you. I knew you were meant for me. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I promise you, I will do everything in my power to keep you as happy as you’ve just made me.”

“Fray,” she said, raising a hand to cup my cheek in her palm. “Shut up and kiss me.”

Of course, I did. I would never deny this woman anything, and I certainly wouldn’t do it now.

Fifteen

Emerson

“This is amazing,” I said from the plush seat beside Fray. After disembarking from the ship a couple hours ago, he’d brought me straight to the airport and his private plane that awaited the trip to his home. We’d have to go to Chicago eventually, but as they were having a storm that had closed O’Hare and diverted all air traffic, it wouldn’t be soon. I was doubly glad we weren’t headed that way.

“But we should have flown commercial,” I added. My fingers flexed on the leather upholstery, enjoying it even as I admonished him. Sure, it was hypocritical, but I’d never experienced so much luxury. I wasn’t quite sure how to take it. “Private planes are expensive, and I’ve heard they’re terrible for the environment.”

Leaning over, he nuzzled his nose into my neck. “But if we flew commercial, we wouldn’t be as comfortable, even in first class. We’d be spending Christmas at the airport where they might lose our luggage, including all the gifts I just gave you.”

I lifted my hand where the shiny, way-too-big diamond gleamed with every move. “Not every gift.”

He smirked and lifted a brow. “And we certainly wouldn’t be able to join the mile-high club.”

My breath caught and I squirmed, immediately going all tingly. I squeezed my thighs together.

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