Page 36 of Sire: On Your Knees

I shook my head. "Never. You are what I want."

I never knew I could be this vulnerable. That's how I knew Noonie was right for me. She made me human again. I hadn't felt this many emotions in a long time. It was long overdue to return to the land of the living.

"What do you love about me?"

I laughed with a shake of my head. "I love the way you talk to yourself when you're cleaning to help clear your mind. I love the way you're not afraid to go after what you want. I love that even throughout being held captive, you still pursued your dreams of starting a business. I love that you love to cater to me. I love that I was your first. I love that your nose crinkles when you smile. I love that you wear that bracelet no matter what you're doing. I love that you love me, flaws and all."

Noonie's bottom lip poked out. "Aww, you're going to make me cry." She sniffled and dropped her head back, trying to keep her tears in. When she looked back at me, she asked, "So, where do we go from here?"

"Marry me," I declared without a second thought.

Her mouth fell open in shock. "H-huh? Marry you?"

I nodded so she'd know I was serious. "You're it for me, Knovah. If we're going to make it official, then I want to go all the way. I want a nigga to know you're off limits until your last breath. I want people to know that you're mine. So, what do you say?"

Sire asking me to marry him was fucking crazy. What's even crazier was my response. "Yes, I'll marry you." His arms wrapped around me in a vice grip. He showered my face in kisses before lifting me off my feet and spinning me in a circle. When he put me down, I popped him on the arm. "And where is my ring?"

"We can go to the jewelry store right now," he replied without pause.

I shook my head. "You're crazy."

He nodded. "Especially about you." His hands slid up the side of my neck. When his lips landed on mine, I allowed my eyes to drift close. I wanted to savor this moment. Plus, Sire's lips felt like heaven. His hands on my body were liquid gold. His breath caressing my skin as he dragged his nose along my cheekbone was crack.

"Why’d you bring the money back? I don't want it back. It’s yours."

I gulped down the bubble of air stuck in my throat. "What am I supposed to do with all of that?"

Sire shrugged. "I’on know. Save it. Invest it. Start that business you've been talking about. What's it going to be called again? Knovah's Sparkling Bubbles?"

Hearing the words fall from his lips really felt like the icing on the cake while making me laugh. With a roll of my eyes, I said, "I decided on She Sparkles, but you're so right. That's all I've wanted to do."

He nodded. "And if you need more, I'm willing to fund it. I want you to have the life you've always deserved, Knovah. I got you for the rest of my life. You never have to worry about feeling alone again.”

My bottom lip trembled as his words struck my heart like darts. Instead of injecting me with poison, it was an antidote for my heartbreak instead. Nodding slowly, I knew this was real, and I wasn't afraid. If Sire said he would take care of me, I knew it was true.

"You know this means you can't lock me in the penthouse anymore, and I need a car."

"You can have the BMW, and honestly, I think you like it when I lock you up. You're greedy when it comes to my time and attention."

I squealed, jumping up and down. "No, I think you enjoy keeping me locked up because I take good care of you."

"Damn right, you do, and I love it. I love you..."

Hearing Sire admit it, coupled with the sincere depth in his eyes, I couldn't help but smile. I crashed into him. He wrapped me in a cocoon of safety and security. Somehow, I knew everything from this day forward would be better.

He released me as he walked over to his dresser. Lifting his remote he turned on his speaker system. Charlie Wilson’s “You Are” began to coo from the speakers. Sire placed the remote down then walked back over to me. His arms went around my waist. We began dancing to the music staring into each other’s eyes.

“I’ve never been a simp ass nigga but for you I’m willing to change all my ways. You’re the most beautiful woman in theworld. The reason my heart beats. The breath in my lungs. The reason I feel invincible and capable of anything.” He lifted my hands and kissed the back of them softly. I tried to hold back my tears. “Thank you for returning Clea’s locket to me. Now we both have a part of our sisters to carry around every day.”

I smiled despite my watering eyes. “And when you buy me that ring, I’ll be carrying around a piece of you too.”

“Shit, I know another way you can carry around a piece of me.”

I cackled uncontrollably. “One thing at a time, baby.”

He shrugged. “I don’t care if it’s one by one or all at once, I want to experience everything this life has to give with you.”

“You mean that?”

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