Page 54 of Anyone But You
“I’d always fantasized about becoming Mrs. Ramsey.” Knox’s brow quirked in surprise until his lips slid into a satisfied smile. I refrained from rolling my eyes when his chest puffed out.
Idiot.
“Yes, Mrs. Gordon Ramsay has a lovely ring to it.”
His jaw dropped, and I snickered until his shock was replaced by genuine amusement. “I think Mrs. Knox Ramsey is more fitting. Plus, I think your marriage would fail immediately.”
“Why?” I asked with a curious head tilt.
“Can you imagine the carnage if that man slammed two slices of bread against your ears and forced you to call yourself an idiot sandwich?”
I puffed my cheeks out and blew a raspberry. “When you’re right, you’re right.”
“Thank you. Proceed.”
“Becoming Mrs. Knox Ramsey was never on my vision board, and after suffering heartbreak, I told myself that when it came to my future husband, I would never settle for less than what I deserved. I envisioned a man who was hardworking, loyal, intelligent, patient, respectful, accepting of my flaws, supportive, communicative, and a provider.” I flipped his palms over, and my throat tightened from the surge of emotions that broke through like a rushing river breaking through a collapsing dam. I sucked my bottom lip in between my teeth whentranslucent drops speckled his open palms. “Fuck, I’m going soft,” I whispered as Knox wiped away my tears with his thumbs.
“Thank God,” he murmured, making me chuckle. He kissed me before releasing me. I scooped his hands up again and picked up where I had left off.
“I remember going home one night, annoyed as fuck because you kept bitching throughout the evening about a callus you developed from playing tennis. Since then, the callouses have multiplied, not because of tennis but because of your determination to provide for and protect us as we face the challenges of the island and the uncertainty of our future. We don’t know what tomorrow may bring, but I vow to stand by your side and be your companion and confidant as we build a life of tenderness and joy. We may not have modern amenities like TV, Wi-Fi, and food delivery apps, but we have each other. And as the song goes, I think I like this little life. The island may be our forever home, and because my birth control is nearly toast, it might be where we raise a family.”
“You want children with me?”
I shook my head solemnly. “Not on an island without the intervention of modern medicine.”
“But if we were home, you would?”
“I’d be open to the idea. Can I finish my vows? I was on a roll, and now I’ve lost my train of thought.”
“I apologize. Please continue,” Knox said, looking every bit satisfied with himself.
“In closing, you’re not the man you used to be. You used to be the first thing I thought about when I opened my eyes, but for the wrong reason. You’re still the first thing I think about when I wake, but for all the right ones because I know that each new day with you brings affection, comfort, healing, acceptance, appreciation, and laughter. You’ve earned my forgiveness,respect, loyalty…and my love. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but… thank you, Knox.”
“For what?”
“For being an overbearing, possessive asshole and canceling my flight to Miami.”
Knox
Lightning streaked across the sky, and the resounding thunder nearly drowned out Victoria’s love confession. But I refused to allow her declaration of love to be lost amongst the elements.
She loves me. This is all I ever wanted from Victoria, but why does her love feel circumstantial and that she loves me by default because she has no one else to choose from?
“Thank you, Knox.”
“For what?” I asked dubiously.
“For being an overbearing, possessive asshole and canceling my flight to Miami.”
I cleared my throat. “No thanks are required. There was no way I’d allow my future wife to embarrass my family name by twerking on tabletops.”
“Hubby, you prance around in a caftan with your fucking dick print showing, and you think I’m embarrassing the family name?”
I grinned smugly and prepared to be punched in the gut. “You sound jealous. Is it the caftan or the dick?”
She snorted and rolled her eyes. “The ceremony has not been completed. I can still walk away from you as a single woman.”
Victoria’s threat cracked open the sky, forcing us to run to the cave for cover. I fell against the cavern wall and laughed as she sputtered and fought with the makeshift veil that clung to her face. She eventually yanked it off and threw it spitefully on the ground. My eyes wandered down her body while she cursed theformer swimsuit cover to Hell. The white sundress embraced her now slender frame, showing off her tightened nipples and the gentle swell of her hips.
