Page 76 of Power Term

I swallow, my breaths short and shallow.

You’d have to be an idiot to not know what’s about to happen. I know. He knows I know. And I know he knows I know. Yet I still can’t bring myself to shift my eyes away from the box to the man holding it.

Then he goes and makes it worse. He opens the damn box. I thought it held my undivided attention before, but now I want to disappear into the brilliant glittering diamond blinking beneath the few sun rays that have slipped past the blinds and curtains.

“I….” That’s all I got. Yep. A Harvard graduate, president of the United States of America, and that one little word, which was more like a gurgle than a word, is all I can think to say.

“My world starts and stops with you, Randi Sawyer. I didn’t understand what living was until I pulled you from that burning limo and met you. Every moment we share is one I savor. When we’re apart, it’s like a part of me is missing until you're back in my arms. I want you for the rest of my life. I need to be by your side every day and to hold you in my arms every night.” The emotion is clear in his shaky voice and damp eyes. “I never want to wake up without you beside me again. Please say yes. Say yes to me worshiping you, loving you, and protecting you for the rest of our lives. Marry me, Mess. Please fucking marry me.”

Streams of tears drip from my cheeks. Forgetting about the layers of makeup that were applied for the upcoming press conference, I swipe the dampness away with the back of a hand.

“Trouble.” I swallow back a sob. Apprehension flashes across his face. “There’s no coming back from you, from us. You’re all I want. You’re all I need. None of this matters if we’re not together, if I’m not facing this shit show called life with you by my side. Yes, I’ll fucking marry you.”

Pitching forward, I forget about the enormous diamond between us and lunge out of the seat. A quick flash of shock crosses his face and the red box falls as I crash against him, my arms going around his neck as we tumble to the floor. Holding me close, Trey takes the brunt of our fall, twisting so his back slams against the thin carpet with me pressed to his chest.

I swipe at the trail of wetness streaking his cheek before leaning forward and kissing away the remaining tears. His fingers delve into my hair, fisting at the base and dragging my lips down to smash against his.

I nearly sob with happiness into his mouth. The hand along my back tightens, sealing us even closer together. A bold, joyful laugh bursts from his lips. Hand to the floor, I push up and gaze down at the man I love. A breath catches in my throat at the pure happiness radiating from his wide smile.

“You made me drop the ring,” he whispers as he rakes both hands through my hair.

“I don’t care about the ring. All I want is you.”

“Good thing you get both.” He drops one of his hands and pats along the ground. “Ah.” Lifting the box overhead, he withdraws the ring before tossing the box across the room. Slowly he lowers the glittering engagement ring to eye level. “They released my funds from my trust.”

“Did they now?” I say, mesmerized by the way the diamond sparkles even in the shadows.

“You don’t sound surprised.” I raise a noncommittal shoulder. “Hmm, I thought so. Either way, this was the ring I wanted for you. What I’ve wanted for you for the past several months. Ask Tank.” A soft chuckle from his chest tickles my own. “I dragged him to that jewelry store at least once a week to look at it. I made them keep it in the back until I was able to buy it.” A spark of mischief dances in his honey brown eyes. “I’ve been a good customer for years.”

I smack his shoulder only for him to snatch my hand and flip us so I’m pinned beneath him. He takes the hand he’s captured and brings it to his lips, kissing the ring finger before slipping the ring down. For half a second, I worry it won’t fit as it catches on my knuckle, making Trey use a little more effort for it to slide over.

I let out a held breath when he releases my hand, leaving the sparkling jewel secured around my finger.

“Wow,” I whisper. “I never thought this would happen to me.”

“The big rock?” Trey waggles his eyebrows.

“No,” I say, sticking my tongue out at him. “This feeling of sheer happiness. For so long I’ve done this all on my own, always an uphill battle, and now… now I know I won’t have to do it by myself. That no matter how hard it gets, I know you’ll be there by my side.”

“Always, Mess.” Leaning forward, he brushes his nose against mine. “I will always be by your side.”

“Ditto, Trouble. We’re in this together.”

“Forever.”

“Forever.”

Forever might not be long enough.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Randi

The murmurings of the press corps quiet the moment I appear through the side door. Careful to not snag a heel, I step up to the podium and grip both sides for support. Flashes momentarily blind me as a few dozen pictures are snapped. I hear more than one gasp when I face them full on, allowing them to see the healing damage still apparent on my face.

Most of the swelling has gone down, but there’s no hiding the black-and-green bruises across my jaw, cheekbones, and circling one eye.

It’s fine. I’m fine. It was a shock the first time I saw my reflection, of course. And I might have overreacted slightly by shattering the mirror that exposed the horror that was my face. But I’m better now. I’m fine.

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