Page 90 of Volatile

He smiled, but she just gawked at him like he’d suddenly sprouted horns.

“Read the inscription.”

Her eyes never budged. He slid it off for her and held it in front of her face. She finally looked, inspecting the inside of the band: To my Ivy, never change.

It was simple, but there could be no doubt that it was meant for her and only her.

She held the ring to her heart. A fat tear plopped onto the stone and rolled off. “This is honestly real?”

“How could it not be real when you’re the realest thing I’ve ever had in my life?”

“But... we’re naked.” She laughed, wiping her eyes. “Are you supposed to officially propose while naked?”

He laughed along with her. “This is us, remember? We make our own rules.” He returned the ring back to its rightful place on her finger and kissed away her tears. “Now, are you going to give me an answer?”

“If I say yes, would I have to move in with you?”

He scooped her up and plonked her on his lap. “Fuck, woman, you’re difficult. Do you think I’d ever let my fiancée sleep anywhere else but beside me?”

He thought he’d get shit about using the “let” word, but instead, she nestled into him.

“Would you ever consider getting our own place?” she asked, her voice softer, less teasing. “Somewhere new. Not yours or mine, but ours?”

“I’ll start looking tomorrow.”

She jerked her head up, blinking hard. “Really?”

“Did you not believe me when I said I’d go wherever you want to go?”

“Yeah, but a coffee shop is one thing. This is your home, your office, your—”

He placed a finger over her lips. “My home is where you are, Ivy. And I can set up an office anywhere.”

She needed a space free of ghosts; he recognized that. A new beginning that only belonged to them. He would honor and give her that, but to him, it really didn’t matter where he lived. Ivy had long replaced all of Julia’s memories, and the house no longer haunted him.

“So, you’re truly serious? About us? All of this... marriage, house... a family?”

Fuck, yeah. He lifted up her hand, the gemstone flashing as if giving its blessing. “This isn’t serious? I’m invested, Ivy. In all of it. I’m in this forever, and I’m hoping you’ll say you are too. Because once you do, I’m never letting you go.”

She sniffled. “I believe you,” she whispered.

“Good. Now, no more doubts and no more tears. Until we find a place of our own, you’ll be here with me. Or I’ll be there with you at the apartment. It doesn’t matter. But wherever it is, we’re together. End of story.”

“Geez...” She fingered her ring, looking like she was wrestling back a smile. “Bossy already and we’re not even technically engaged yet. What’s going to happen when we’re married?”

“You’ll get more love and passion than you can fucking handle. Now, what about that yes?”

“I’m not saying ‘obey’ in the vows, you know.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, gorgeous.” He gathered up a thick lock of her hair and twisted it around his hand, bringing his mouth to her ear. “I see no need to announce to the world what makes you hot behind closed doors. That’s for me and me alone.”

He palmed her throat, connecting with the vibration under her skin, then ran his fingers down the sides of her neck. “I’m waiting, Ivy.”

“Oh God, Jonathan. Yes. Yes, yes, yes. To everything.”

He kissed his fiancée long and deep. She was his. He had her and always would, in every way that mattered. There was no higher feeling. She was a sassy, argumentative, downright volatile at times, beautiful, kind-hearted goddess who he’d cherish for the rest of his life. Because there was no chance in hell she’d be leaving this earth before him; he wouldn’t allow it. He’d protect her until his last breath.

“I’m never letting you go, Ivy Blazek.”

---