Page 209 of Night's Fall
“I’ve been wracking my brain about how to do this.”
I was confused at his words.
“Sorry?”
“It’s selfish of me to do it here, in my office, in the buildingIbuilt, andIown.”
I felt my forehead crinkle. “Aleksei?—”
“But for some reason,Ineed to do it here.Forit to happen in a place removed from all of that.Forit to happen in a part of my life that’s just mine.ThelifeIwould have given you whenIfound you, even if that other part wasn’t whoIam.Doit in the lifeImade, that would always be ours, not the one that was given to me.”
I remained quiet, becauseIwasn’t exactly following, exceptIknew whatever this was, he had to do it like he was doing it, say the things he was saying, and it was big deal.
He took a half step away and tucked a hand into his pocket. “Ialso can’t take credit for the choice.”
He took my left hand, brought it to his lips, then held it between us as he slipped theInsouciantRicheaquamarine and diamond ring on my finger.
My heart stuttered to a stop.
“I askedGayleandCatto help,” he shared asIstared at it. “Theysaid this was the one.ButIhopeIget points thatIwould have chosen it anyway.Becauseit matches your eyes.”
“Thank the gods for waterproof makeup,”Imumbled stupidly, not knowing what to say, unable to find the words with allIwas feeling, at the same time sniffling and staring at my beautiful engagement ring.
He’d askedCatandGayle(so dangedAleksei).
But he would have picked it for me anyway.
Gods, myAleksei.
He brought my hand to his lips again and kissed the ring.Thenhe pressed my palm to his chest.
“This isn’t very romantic,bissi, butIhope you understand it has meaning for me,” he said gently.
I looked into his eyes through my watery ones. “Areyou crazy?Youbrought me to the top of the world to give me my engagement ring.Howis that not romantic?”
He smiled and didn’t hide the relief in his eyes.
Gods,myAleksei.
“And take note, my prince, if something has meaning for you, it has meaning for me.”
That made the look in his eyes intensify.
And his silky voice was gruff when he said, “Whateverit brings,Ilook forward to the lifeI’llshare with you.”
Seriously?
“Ugh!”Igrunted. “Malesso do not get that romance is not flowers and grand gestures but meaning and feelings.Andyou are killing me with all the meaning and feelings you’re giving me, your highness.Myface might be waterproof, but even theUltraPaint5000 can’t withstand the effects of me bawling for the next thirty minutes.”
“Is that your way of telling me to shut up?”
“Yes.”
“Can your makeup withstand me kissing you?”
If he didn’t kiss me in short order,Iwould justdie.
SoIsaid, “Heckyes.”
