Page 59 of Rejected Pretend Mate

"So, what did you end up doing?" I asked as I grabbed another blanket to fold it up.

Cayden walked over, stopping at the other edge of the couch. "I wanted to get you something." He dug into his jacket and pulled out a small red box. My hands froze their movement as I stared at it.

I swallowed, suddenly at a loss for words. I'd seen a box that shape before, many times. actually. In movies and at shops when men got down and declared their love. I had one just like it, and I despised it.

But unlike before, I felt…giddy. My stomach plummeted, but I knew it was in a good way, like when you ride a rollercoaster. I felt my lungs unable to pull in the air, and tears built up.

He pulled the lid up and revealed a beautiful, simple ring. It was a simple silver band with a small diamond on the top. My mouth dropped.

"I know the ring is simple…but none of them looked like you. I know I could have purchased one with a larger diamond or a more intricate band, but they didn't feel like you."

"It's stunning…but why? I have a ring."

We both looked at the ring on my finger—the ring I went out and bought so I had something when people asked. Weslie had offered to go out with me, but I didn't want him to. I felt if we went together, it would feel so hurtful. I didn't want to have the ring and stare at it, knowing he'd purchased it for me.

He crouched down. "Because I wanted you to have the real thing because this is real. This isn't fake, and it's never been fake for me. I didn't get you a ring for the fake marriage, but I want you to have a nice ring for the real one. I want you to look down at this and know I bought this and that this is going to last."

I felt like my heart stopped beating, and I swallowed, trying to find words. "You…you didn't have to."

"I did because, April, I want this. I want this more than anything, and even when this stuff with Ivan is done, I still wantyou. I want the house and the kids. I want the good days and the bad days. I want the screaming matches and the sex fests. I want everything, and I want you to have a ring that represents that. That represents us."

Tears bloomed and broke free. I wiped at them as he walked over, reaching for my hand. "So, can I please replace this one?" His fingers wrapped around the other ring. "And give you the ring you deserve?"

I nodded my hand, feeling the ring tug free. He pulled the other ring off, sliding it onto my finger. It fits perfectly.

I continued to wipe my eyes as I pulled my hand up, staring at the ring. Happy tears broke free, and I chuckled. "It is really beautiful."

"If you want something fancier, we can certainly go look. You don't have to keep it if you don't like it."

I shook my head. "No, everything about us has been so complex…I like thinking this is simple, that this part was easy."

He reached up, cupping my face. "This part was. Having you is the easiest decision I have ever made. Leaving you was the hardest, and I'm not doing it again."

I sniffled as he pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around me. He kissed my nose, pressing his forehead against mine.

"I want that to…all of this."

He kissed me. His lips were soft as he pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me. I leaned against him, enjoying this closeness. For the first time, I felt we were finally being utterly honest, leaving nothing up in the air.

He pressed his forehead against mine, sighing softly. "You have no idea the power you have over me, April. How much strength it took to control myself."

I stared into his eyes, and he smirked. I reached a hand up, running my fingers over his lips. "Why do you say that?"

He chuckled. "Because when you were yelling at us, I wanted to strip you on the table and have you right there in front of your brother. The self-control I had to muster up."

I swallowed suddenly, feeling hot. I clenched my legs together, feeling the heat traveling down. I stared at his lips, suddenly wanting him.

"Well, no one is here now. There is nothing stopping you."

A twinkle sparkled in his eyes as he wrapped his arm around my ass, hoisting me up. I squealed as he moved us. He walked towards the island, placing my ass on the counter. He cupped my face, kissing me roughly as his tongue dove deep into my mouth, taking my breath away.

"Take off your shirt," he growled.

I did, breaking the kiss to pull it over my shoulder. I threw the shirt over his shoulder, not caring where it landed.

"And the bra."

I reached my hand around, unclipping the bra. I felt Weslie's hand travel up my thigh, his fingers softly grazing as they moved, and my heart raced.

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