Page 80 of Where the Current Takes Him
When the couple finally left the house, they were more finely dressed than they had been in weeks. Loriun wore his navy shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows (at Beau’s insistence), and a light pair of cream pants. He’d also managed to scrape his wild hair back, the top half in a bundle of curls, and the bottom half flowing over his shoulders.
Beau wore a complimentary shade of beige that set off the golden tones of his hair and eyes, and caramel-hued slacks. Before they’d left the house, Loriun had reached out and undone a button at his Omega’s chest. The faint shadow of his collarbones made the Mer want to skip dinner and spend the rest of the evening buried deep inside him. It took quite a bit of effort to convince his legs to carry him to the car.
Beau watched the sun set over the sea as they drove. Loriun was busy watchinghim, with each glance bringing a thrill of nervousness. He felt certain Beau would enjoy the surprise he’d planned, but a small part of him was still afraid. Thoughhe loved his human mate, the cultural differences still caused the odd miscommunication, and Loriun hoped this would not be one of those times.
“Hey wait a second.” Beau leaned forward, staring out at the streets. “I know where we are.”
Loriun pushed his fears aside. “I thought you might. But I assure you there is still a surprise.”
Beau shot him a look of narrow-eyed suspicion as they pulled into the parking garage for the observation deck. Loriun said nothing further as he rounded the car and helped his mate from the passenger seat. They walked to the elevator, and Loriun recalled the feeling of Beau’s fingers running through his hair for the first time.
He tapped the uppermost button.
“We’re going back to the observation deck?” Beau said, raising an eyebrow.
Loriun attempted a casual shrug. “You have never seen the island at night.”
The elevator doors opened, and Beau let out a gasp. Crystal vases filled with red roses lined every surface, and trails of rose petals on either side formed a walkway. Candles flickered between the flowers and vases, casting a warm glow around the space.
“You did this?” Beau asked, his voice breathless. He stepped onto the petal-lined walkway and looked back at Loriun.
Loriun’s heart fractured at the look of pure joy on his mate’s shining face.
“Come,” he murmured. “I think we should follow the path.”
Hand in hand, they moved through the maze of roses and candles. It guided them past twilit windows and toward a small table, set for two.
“Wow, Loriun,” Beau whispered. “You’ve really outdone yourself.”
Loriun’s throat was now too choked to reply. Instead he gestured to the sparkling city lights splayed out before them. Beau stepped away, gazing at the view in awe.
Loriun felt as though his whole body had gone numb as he sank to the ground, one knee striking granite floors. The velvet box in his hand seemed to pull his body toward the Earth’s center. Inside rested a thin ring with a teal Montana sapphire suspended between two golden arms.
Gaish ausye,I hope I’m doing this right.
Beau turned back from the window, arm in mid-gesture, then froze. “Loriun, what…”
“Beau Montgomery,” Loriun said, his voice low. He wondered if Beau could hear the tremor. “Our bond was not built in a way either of us could have expected. Our love was built on passion and mistakes. Our family, created by mere chance. Yet I do not have the words to express the gratitude I have that fortune brought you to me.”
Beau’s fingers were pressed to his lips, and his dark eyes were strangely bright.
“We are mates,” Loriun went on. His voice sounded very far away. “But you have upended your entire life for me, and in doing so, you have lost some of your culture. I do not wish for you to lose any more. So, Beau, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?”
Tears were streaming down Beau’s face, and for one horrible second, Loriun thought he had irreparably screwed up.
“Yes,” Beau choked out. “Yes, I will.”
The relief that swept through Loriun’s whole body nearly knocked him over. He rose back to his feet and took Beau’s left hand. He slipped the ring onto his fiance’s finger and kissed the back of his hand.
“It suits you,” Loriun said softly.
“It’s beautiful,” Beau managed. Then, his mouth was on Loriun’s. His lips tasted like the sea.
Chapter 33
Beau
The small, teal sapphire shone in the afternoon sunlight. Beau hadn’t been able to take his eyes off his finger since Loriun’s proposal the night before.
