Page 147 of Stay for Me
Maybe having sex right before was a bad idea. “Baby, the limo is going to be here, and I’m slightly afraid of Catherine.”
“Well, you should be afraid of me. I’m trying to steam out a few wrinkles.”
Yeah, definitely was a bad idea. I should make a note to have Catherine put that on the do-not-do list right before her instruction not to eat after getting dressed.
“Right, but, the limo and . . . we have to go.”
The door to the bathroom flies open. “Jacob Arrowood, you fucked me senseless ten minutes ago. I am trying to make sure I don’t have a million photos looking like it happened, okay?”
As scared as I am of Catherine, Brenna is formidable right now. “Okay. You know, just...”
“If you say hurry, I might choke you with your bow tie or hogtie you with it.”
“If you want to tie me up later, I’m okay with that.”
She takes a step closer and then steadies herself. “One minute. I just have to fix the back.”
“Can I help?” I ask, wanting to help but also wanting to touch her again.
“No, just give me one more minute.”
I nod once and then go out to grab our stuff. I can be helpful. Her purse is on the counter, where I’m sure the ten assistants Catherine hired to make sure we didn’t do anything stupid put it. My wallet, which I don’t need but refuse not to have, and her shoes are waiting by the door.
I start counting, but from this point, if I reach sixty seconds, we are already way over a minute.
Thirty-one.
Thirty-two.
Thirty-three.
I start to shake, not sure which of the women in my life I’d rather have at my throat, when she emerges.
To anyone else, she would look the same as before, but I see the way her face is just slightly flushed and her eyes are liquid. “You look perfect.”
“I look late.”
“Yeah, and I’m going to blame you if Catherine yells at me.”
She rolls her eyes. “Some gentleman you are.”
Brenna heads to the door and slips her shoes on. And while I had this elaborate plan for tonight, I don’t want to wait another second. Seeing her like this makes me want her to really know how I feel before we step out of this room.
“Ready?” she asks with her hand on the doorknob.
“No.”
“No?”
I step to her and then drop down on one knee, pulling the ring from my breast pocket. “I had a plan for us. For you. For tonight. After the premiere, we were going to a rooftop bar that I rented out. There are thousands of roses, candles, and a band is coming to play for us. All of it, every detail was laid out, but looking at you right now, I can’t wait another second, Brenna.”
Her hand flies to her mouth. “Jacob . . .”
“I love you with every part of my soul. I was so sure that I would never find anyone because I wasn’t finding what I needed, until I found you. I don’t want to walk that red carpet with my girlfriend who I plan to propose to. I want everyone in the world to see that you’re going to be my wife. That I choose you and you choose me. I choose to love you and be with you every day, every minute, every second, because you’re the most magnificent woman I’ve ever met. I love you, Brenna Allen. Will you marry me?”
A tear falls down her cheek, and she nods. “Yes! Yes!”
I place the ring on her finger and kiss her lips, not caring if I smudge her makeup because kissing her is the only thing I want to do.
