Page 101 of Rulebreaker
I trust him completely.
Whatever it is he’s planning will be wonderful.
I hear him walk away from me, then the rustle of his jacket.
Then silence.
What on earth is he up to? I’m dying to peek but I’m not going to. I love surprises and Atlas tends to be excellent at them.
“All right, sweetheart.”
My eyes open and the scene before me takes my breath away.
Atlas is down on one knee. Holding out a little velvet jewelry box.
Oh. My. Fucking. God.
He’s proposing.
I didn’t see this coming, but excitement whips through me, and I clap my hands over my mouth. “Atlas!”
“I had a whole evening planned,” he says, gazing up at me. “Dinner with our friends, followed by champagne, flowers, a rooftop bar overlooking the city… but it suddenly occurred to me that this moment, the one where I bare my soul and ask you to be my wife, should be just the two of us.” He pauses, swallowing. “No press, no nosy onlookers, not even friends. No one but you and me.”
Sometimes it’s like he can read not just my mind, but my soul.
“I love you, Atlas,” I whisper. “And I love the thought you’ve put into this.”
“And I love you. Pretty much since the first time I saw you–and promptly walked into a door.”
We both chuckle.
“So, Lily… my untamable, beautiful, talented Lily. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife, forever and always?”
“Oh, yes.” I don’t hesitate because…why would I?
I love this man with everything I am.
He plucks the ring from the box and I hold out my hand so he can slide it on. Then I look down, take in the sheer size of the diamond, and a burst of laughter bubbles out of me. It’s the biggest, most brilliant jewel I’ve ever seen, sitting on my finger like a veritable rock. Which makes me laugh even harder.
Until I note the confusion in his eyes–are his feelings hurt?--and quickly shake my head.
Because Atlas doesn’t even realize how over-the-top the ring is–all he knows and wants is to show me the depth of his feelings for me. Which are obviously quite large.
“What’s funny?” he asks quietly, a speck of insecurity lurking behind those dark orbs. And I never want to see that because of me.
I drop to my knees in front of him, wrapping one arm around his neck and resting the hand with the ring flat against his chest so we can both look at it.
“The ring is funny because it’s the most ridiculously over-the-top thing I’ve ever seen. It’s big and gorgeous and larger than life–kind of like you. And I’m going to love wearing it almost as much as I love you.”
His expression softens and we stare down at my hand together. “Are you sure? We can get something else… or something smaller… or–”
“Shut your filthy mouth,” I tease, leaning in. “This is the ring every little girl dreams about, and I’m the lucky one whose man bought it for me. I laughed because it’s so you–and also because it’s so perfect for me.”
Our mouths crash together and we kiss and kiss and kiss. We pull apart, stare into each other’s eyes, and then start to kiss again. Until finally, he helps me to my feet and pulls me flush against his chest.
“I love you, Lily.”
“I love you too, Atlas.”
