Page 71 of Never Fake Date the Financier
Hoooo boy…
* * *
And Adrian’s not wrong.He’s made our first anniversary very memorable. Now we’re capping off the night, watching the sunset in our rooftop garden with our bellies full of gelato and pizza. Every time we’re up here, I’m reminded of the balcony at the wedding. It felt like we were in a different world, separated from all the guests. It’s Adrian’s pride and joy, a lush oasis high above the city with comfortable seating, twinkling lights strung overhead, and an unobstructed view of the skyline.
But I’m not paying attention to the sunset. I can’t. Not with the man of my dreams holding me, wrapping me up in his strong arms, and making me feel so damn complete. I never knew it was possible to love someone as deeply as I love Adrian. I thought it had to be hard work, day in and day out. Sure, there are days that he might push my buttons. Days that he might be a little too high-strung from tense meetings. But once he holds me. Once our lips touch. All of the tension melts away, and my love for him pools inside me until it feels like I’m about to burst.
“Happy anniversary,” he says softly, pressing a kiss to my temple.
“Happy anniversary.” I nestle closer, feeling that familiar sense of contentment I get whenever I’m with him. “I can’t believe it’s been a year.”
“Best year of my life.”
I look at him, struck by the sincerity in his voice. “Mine too.”
“And here’s to many more.” He takes a sip of his champagne and then sets it back down. I can’t help but notice him reaching into his pocket, playing with something. A few moments later, he says. “I have something for you.”
“Is it more gelato? Because I’m already in a dairy coma.”
“Better than gelato.”
“Nothing is better than gelato.”
He pulls out a small velvet box, and my heart stops. I think I’ve been proved wrong.
Adrian slides off the cushion, onto one knee, and suddenly I can’t breathe. My mind races. My heart is beating so fast I think it’s going to burst from my chest, or possibly rocket through my mouth and into outer space.
“Ella Bridges,” he says, grabbing my hand. “I knew the moment I first met you, you were special. It felt like I knew you. Had known you for years. As though a part of me recognized you. My heart. My soul. Everything clicked into place.” He strokes my fingers with his thumb, eyes focused on mine as I feel my throat begin to close up. “I asked you to pretend to be in love with me, hoping that you actually would because I knew I’d never meet another person like you. I feel whole when you’re with me. Lost when you’re gone.” He swallows hard. “I never believed in love at first sight until I met you.”
Tears stream down my face as my vision blurs.
“You changed everything for me, and I can’t picture a future without you in it.”
He opens the box, revealing a stunning emerald-cut diamond that catches the last rays of the setting sun.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” I somehow manage through a tight, achy throat. “God, yes.”
He slips the ring onto my finger, and it’s perfect. It’s elegant but not ostentatious, exactly what I would have chosen. But I don’t have much time to admire it before he captures my lips in a kiss that, still, after a year together, makes me feel like I’m in freefall.
I can’t imagine my life getting any better than this.
…But I am sure Adrian will find another way to surprise me once again.
EPILOGUE
FIVE YEARS LATER - ADRIAN
I can’t takemy eyes off Ella.
She stands at the podium, the stage lights catching the gold in her hair, making it glow like a halo. Her hands move animatedly as she speaks about the importance of arts education, creativity, about how one teacher can change the trajectory of a child’s life. The audience hangs on her every word.
And So do I. Five years together, and she still takes my breath away. Still captivates me. Still...
I shift in my chair, rearranging my erection. But can you blame a man? I can’t control myself when I’m around Ella. We fooled around in the back of the car on the way here, but it wasn’t enough. It’s never enough. When it comes to Ella, I’m insatiable. And watching her in her element is doing things to me that… Well, I’ll be showing her exactly what it does to me later.
I swallow hard, shifting again in my seat as I try to focus on Ella’s speech.
