Page 99 of Risks

Ignoring me, she turns off the lampon her side and lies down with her back facing me.

I flick the other lamp and flatten inthe bed, staring at the dark ceiling while listening to Toya’s irritated deepbreathing.

We’ll talk about it in the morning.Hopefully, I haven’t completely ruined our trip.

Jolted from sleep, I snap my eyesopen and turn over. A sinking feeling sprouts when I find Toya’s side of thebed empty. I don’t hear her in the bathroom or in the living area.

Tossing the sheet aside, I climb outof bed, haul on sweatpants and a t-shirt, and search for my girl.

The cottage is empty.

Thinking she’s at the main house foran early breakfast, I grab my sneakers and step outside into the brightmorning. I walk up the gravel road, waving to my grandparents’ groundsmen, whoare hard at work tending to the greenery.

The housekeeper informs me my grandpais at the stables, and Grandma went into town. As suspected, Toya isn’t checkingout the horses. My guess is she went for a stroll.

My search leads me past the treesand into the large rose garden. The sight of Toya standing at the pond gives mea pause. She’s akin to a Goddess in her flowy white dress, brown skin radiantin the sun. Curls let down.

She slants at my approach. “How didyou know I was here?”

I smirk. “I’ll always find you, nomatter where you go. Besides, I figured you’d come to our special spot.”

She sniffs and looks down, kickingat the grass.

“Babe, about Kelly—”

“I know.” She lifts her head. “It’sjust… I hate the thought of anyone else touching you.”

I step closer and hold her hands. “Letme assure you again that you’re the only one who has my heart, and I’ll neverdo anything to destroy our love or hurt you.”

“I promise, too. I love you, Varen. Theysay you can have many loves in your lifetime, but I only want this one. I onlywant you.”

I pull her into my arms for aravenous kiss that leaves us breathless when it slows to an end.

As I stare into her beautiful earth-toneeyes, the urge grows to ask her the one question burning in my mind.

This is the moment. It feels sofucking perfect.

Surprise and confusion curtain herface as I lower before her in the dew-covered grass on both knees, holding herleft hand at my chest.

“Varen…” Shaky breaths slip throughher parted lips. “What are you…”

“I know we’re young, but I’m ahundred percent certain you’re the one I want to spend the rest of my lifewith, Toya. Everything fell into place when we met. Some crazy force brought ustogether, and we’ve changed each other’s worlds.” I swallow and catch my breath.“I’ll support you, give you anything you need, and love you until the day Itake my last breath and even in the next life. Just please…marry me.”

I’m so overwhelmed by the rush ofemotions that tears spill down my cheeks.

“Varen…” Her body quivers as shestarts to cry. “Of course, I’ll marry you.”

Laughing, I shoot up to full heightand lift her from the ground. Her excited giggles fill the air and submerge mysprinting heart with even more love.

“I’ll run back to the cottage,” Itell her.

She scowls when I set her down. “Forwhat?”

“Your ring. I brought it with me.” Icradle her face with both hands. “I’ve had it since the day after discussingthe designs you like.”

Realization dawns on her. “So that’swhy…” She smiles at me and tilts for a smooch. “God, I love you.”

“I love you, too.” I take her hand,and we head out of the massive garden.

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