Page 48 of Tempting My Billionaire Master

“We all do,” Mary said with a sigh. “I’ll go with Susan.”

Jess bit her lip, glancing at the doorway where the others had just disappeared. “I apologize for their behavior. I’m not entirely sure what’s gotten into them.”

“Do you know what Mary’s cryptic text was about?” I asked. “Something about a cuckoo landing?”

“Eagle,” Jess corrected softly. “It’s just an inside joke. Nothing for you to worry over.” She stood, brushing crumbs from her lap. “Hey, we can watch a movie or two! Though I should head home to fetch my laptop if we’re going to have a movie night. I’ll only be a few minutes. Make yourself comfortable, and help yourself to more pie or whatever else you like.”

“Are you sure you have to leave?” I said, unable to keep the note of panic from my voice. Being left alone in this empty library in the middle of the night suddenly seemed a frightening prospect.

Jess smiled reassuringly, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “It will be alright. I’ll be back before you know it.”

And with that, I was alone.

I sat motionless for a long moment, listening to the creaks and groans of the old building settling in for the night. My heart raced as shadows seemed to lengthen and twist in the corners of the room.

And then I decided to make the most of my solitude and enjoy more of Jess’s heavenly cherry pie.

Suddenly I heard footsteps.

I froze, straining to listen. There, again—the crisp sound of leather soles on the wooden floor, coming up behind me.

I whirled around with a gasp. “Jess, did you forget—”

The words died on my lips. Because it wasn’t Jess standing there in the dim light of the library.

It was Ethan.

Ethan, impossibly here after all this time. Just the sight of him in his immaculate suit tailored to perfection sent my pulse into a frenzy, a wave of emotions I’d tried so hard to suppress for the past month threatening to overwhelm me. He looked every bit as handsome as I remembered, his smoldering green eyes locking onto mine, and I couldn’t breathe.

He didn’t say a word as he walked toward me with purposeful strides. Before I could ask what he was doing here, his mouth descended on mine in a searing kiss.

And just like that, I surrendered.

I melted into his embrace, my hands roaming greedily over his body as we kissed with a hunger I’d never known. It felt so good, so right, being with him again—like coming home after a long journey.

When at last he pulled away, I struggled to catch my breath. My lips tingled; my heart threatened to beat out of my chest.

Ethan gently pressed a finger to my lips before I could speak.

“I’m not going to try and convince you, or force you to do anything you don’t want to do,” he said softly. “I already know that won’t work.” He paused, taking a deep breath as if bracing himself for what was to come. “So there’s only one thing left for me to do.”

He sank down onto one knee, and I gasped, heart pounding in my chest like a wild beast trying to break free. My hands flew to my mouth as he pulled a small velvet box from his pocket and flipped it open to reveal a simple gold band nestled inside. The room suddenly felt too small, too hot, and I struggled to find air.

“Chloe Collins,” he said, his voice steady and sure, “I love you. Will you marry me?”

The room started spinning. I blinked hard, sure I must be hallucinating. But the ring was still there, glinting in the dim light, and Ethan was still gazing at me with a look of such love and certainty it made my heart ache.

“Are—are you sure?” I stammered at last. My voice sounded oddly distant to my own ears.

Ethan nodded. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.” His voice was steady and strong. “After you left, I tried to see things from your perspective, like you wanted me to. I tried to convince myself you were right, that we weren’t meant to be. But you weren’t right, Chloe. There’s no other way to live. There’s no life for me without you in it. I know that now more than ever.” He squeezed my hands, his eyes boring into mine. “Will you marry me, Chloe?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

Joy lit his face as he slid the ring onto my finger. It was a perfect fit.

He rose and enfolded me in his arms, kissing me with a tenderness that made my eyes sting with tears. When at last we parted, I laughed shakily.

“How did you know my ring size?”

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