Page 241 of A Love Like Venom

In the inside of my cut, I take out the ring that has been burning a hole ever since I placed it there.

I take it out, a moonstone diamond with a sunburst white diamond frame and close it in my fist.

Her eyes are still closed when I look back at her. And seeing her like this with her eyes closed, a small peaceful smile on her face causes all the nerves to vanish.

“Open your eyes,” I say to her softly and she does.

Beautiful honey brown eyes meet mine. “What did you wish for?”

I raise myself up on my arm so that I am partially leaning over her.

God, she really is the most stunning woman I have ever laid eyes upon. So much beauty. A pure heart. So kind and lovely. My complete opposite yet perfect for me.

The ring lays heavy in my hand despite its weight. The longer I am holding it the heavier it becomes. This doesn’t belong with me any longer. It belongs on her finger. Now and for forever.

“I wished that you, Alice Hall, would marry me.”

Her eyes go as wide as saucers. Her mouth hangs agape as a gasp slips out. She’s speechless. Utterly speechless.

I then open my palm in front of us and show her the ring. Her eyes flick from the ring and then to my face and then back to the ring.

“It’s beautiful.” She admires the ring with fresh tears in her eyes.

“Nothing will ever compare to you, but I had to try,” I tell her, my voice gruff.

Her eyes meet mine once again. A tear falls down her face, but I capture it with my finger.

“You are my everything, Alice Hall,” I begin, my voice starting to choke with emotion. “You are my every breath, every heartbeat, the blood running through my fucking veins. You always saw the light in me even when I didn’t. And your light captured me when I first saw it at the age of ten. You had me then and you have me now. I love you. I love you so fucking much that it hurts. But this pain, this pain that I only feel for you I welcome it. Because without you I wouldn’t know beauty. I wouldn’t know what makes life worth living. You are my sun, angel. The very light I was once afraid of, but I can’t live without it. I don’t exist without you. Marry me, Alice Hall. Marry me because I can’t go through this life without you.”

Tears well up in her eyes and there’s too many that fall to capture them all.

But I try my best. I try my best in capturing all those tears that begin to stain her beautiful face.

Then with an ear-splitting brilliant smile she launches herself at me.

I land on my back as her whole body is pressed against my front. Taking my face in her hands her lips crash down on mine. Her tongue demands entry and breaks the barrier of my lips. Her kiss is demanding and all consuming.

And as much as I want to lose myself in her kiss, lose myself in her I need an answer. I need to hear it from her lips.

Reluctantly pulling back I ask her, “So, is that a yes?”

She nods her head eagerly. “Yes!” Her lips give mine a quick kiss. “Yes, I’ll marry you!” Another kiss. “It’s only ever been you.”

“Thank fucking god for that, angel. If you would have said no, I would have had to murder every man who looked at you.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “You wouldn’t have.”

“Yeah, I would’ve, and we both know it.” Sitting up I have her straddling my hips. Her legs wrap around me and hook against my back.

Bringing the ring between us I take her delicate hand and place the ring on her left ring finger. The diamond shines brightly against the light of the stars. Proving that light can shine in the darkness.

Once the ring is placed on her finger, she wraps her arms around my neck and presses her forehead against mine.

“I love you, Reed Carter.”

“I love you, too, Mrs. Future Reed Carter.”

She rubs her nose against mine and sighs happily. “Alice Carter,” she muses. “I love the sound of that.” I’m merely lost in her voice, the beauty of her face, the kindness in her heart, and the light that shines from within her.

---