Page 140 of Wicked Ends
My breath caught in my throat at those words. Did I trust him? I didn’t even have to wait for my heart to answer before I was unlocking the door and opening it.
The couch had been replaced with a pale-pink one, covered in a thick cream wool throw. The wooden floor had been oiled, and now it gleamed. Low sconces filled the space with cozy light. Pictures of the sunset over Hade Harbor had been hung up in driftwood frames, and over the old stone fireplace, a huge mirror had been placed. The room smelled nice, like expensive candles, and fresh, clean air. There was even a mural of musical notes with vivid bursts of color behind them, climbing the wall behind the staircase.
“What do you think?”
Marcus’ voice had me spinning around.
He stood in the open-plan kitchen. It was freshly painted. No more chipping paint there. There were new handles on the cabinets. Little knobs with what looked like sheet music printed across them.
There was an ice bucket on the table, and a bottle of something fizzy inside it.
“Think of what?” I had no idea what to think, but my heart was beating like I’d run a marathon.
“Your new place.”
Everything felt very quiet. Marcus advanced.
“This place, it’s all yours.”
“What do you mean? I didn’t apply. I’d never get it without references anyway,” I rambled.
Marcus nodded. “I’m sure a fake identity would make it difficult, too.” He smirked, teasing me.
“Exactly, so what are you talking about?”
“Here’s the contract,” Marcus said and handed me a piece of paper.
I scanned it. It certainly seemed to be a rental agreement of some kind.
“I don’t understand—there’s no rent filled in here,” I pointed out.
Marcus hummed, rocking back on his heels. “Hmm, I wasn’t sure what to put. What’s good? Zero dollars, or some nominal amount? How about five dollars a month, or ten?”
“I’m lost,” I admitted.
Marcus reached out and took the paper from my hand and cupped my face. His touch relaxed something vital inside me, something that was always tight when he wasn’t around.
“No, you’re not lost, not anymore. I found you, Ari, and I’m not letting you leave. You’re home now.”
“Home?” I repeated. Something was melting inside me, and I felt like I needed to hold on to Marcus. The floor felt like it was shifting, like my whole world was turning upside down.
He nodded decisively. “Yes, this is your home, and this is your town. We aren’t letting you go. My brother owns this property, and it’s rented to you without an end date. If we play our cards right, he’ll give it to us as an engagement present.”
“Engagement present!” I squeaked. “Now I know you’re messing with me.”
He sighed. “I’m getting ahead of myself. I’m sorry. I’m excited. Let’s do this step by step. Are you a standing proposal person, or a kneeling one?”
“What is happening?” I demanded and clapped a hand over my mouth as Marcus lowered himself to his knees.
“I’ll go with traditional. Arianna Spencer, birthday girl. I’m afraid I can’t let you leave town. I can’t let you quit your job. I can’t let you go, period. I won’t. I told you to be careful showing your caring, beautiful heart around a man like me, because I’d want to keep you, and I’m afraid it’s happened. I’m never letting you go, beautiful.”
“What are you saying?” I wondered.
Marcus lifted an eyebrow. “I’m proposing.”
“It sounds more like a threat,” I said.
He laughed. “Well, I’m new to romance, cut me a break. I suppose the difference between the words—we’ll be together forever—is just tone. I’ll work on that.”
