Page 140 of Tempting Promises
Charlotte lets out a long sigh, seeming to take my very well-thought-out speech to heart. “I don’t care.” She starts walking.
“You’re a stubborn pain in my ass.”
She stops, turning to face me with her eyes narrowed. “I’m a stubborn pain? You have some balls, buddy.”
“I’m still waiting for your answer about why we should’ve done this slowly.”
“I don’t have one,” Charlotte admits.
I laugh under my breath. “So, you just dug in because . . .?”
“Because I like to win.”
I move to her and rest my hands on her hips. “I think you’ve won already.”
“How so?”
“You won me.”
“I want a refund.”
I smile. “I already told you there aren’t any.”
“Then an exchange,” Charlotte says back, the anger leaving her eyes.
“Nope.”
She sighs. “So I have to keep you?”
“You do.”
I tug her so her chest is to mine. “Fine. If I must.”
“Kiss me.”
Charlotte, unable to ever resist biting back where she can, turns her head. “No.”
God, I love this woman. I love that she makes me crazy at the same time she makes me smile. I spent so much time hating her, thinking how ridiculous she was, and now I wish I could go back in time.
She’s not ridiculous, she’s beautiful, funny, sweet, loyal, and mine.
I lean in and kiss her cheek. “Kiss me,” I say again.
Her cheek tips up as she attempts to hide her smile. “You don’t deserve my kisses.”
“Fine. Marry me,” I say, surprising us both.
Charlotte’s eyes go wide. “Excuse me? Did you just tell me to marry you?”
“I did.”
“Please tell me you’re kidding. You’re kidding, right?”
I could lie and say I was doing it just to get her to flinch and kiss me, but after I say it, I realize I’m really not kidding. I love Charlotte. I want to be with her and be her partner in everything. Since I’ve never been into the dating life, this really isn’t such a huge stretch for me to want to marry the first woman I’ve loved and wanted a life with.
“I’m not kidding.”
“Rowan, stop. We can’t get engaged!”
