Page 99 of A Very Un-Shakespeare Romance
“Doesn’t mean we have to follow through,” he said with a straight face. “I believe I know the age-old saying about not jumping off a bridge if someone dares you.”
He was totally laughing at her, and suddenly she couldn’t blame him. She hesitantly picked up the cuffs again and grimaced. The pink fur was synthetic to the touch, and the glitter was already falling onto the bed.
“Quality workmanship, obviously,” he said with the snort of a laugh.
“You are having way too much fun with this,” she responded, but this time with a smile. “Okay, I’m starting to see the humor too.”
“About time.” He put a pillow over his lap. “I was getting a little worried. Lily Meadows, will you marry me?”
“What?” she squeaked, meeting his gaze.
He lifted a shoulder, his eyes filled with love. “I wasn’t sure when I was going to ask you, but I can’t stop myself. Right now seems pretty damn perfect.”
Her mouth dropped to the floor. “Perfect? Robbie, are you feeling all right?”
“Hear me out.” He reached for her hand with a calm confidence that shocked her. “Here we both are, laughing in bed over some gag gift from your partner. Like an old married couple. I’m playing along. You’re acting all hot schoolmarm.”
“I am not!” She launched herself at him, the cuffs forgotten. “Don’t be flippant about this. We’re talking marriage—”
“I know,” he said softly, his voice going deep and grave, “and in a good marriage, people laugh over silly things. Like pink furry handcuffs. After a tough day of work.”
She bit her lip as her heart swelled in her chest. She knew she would remember the way he was looking at her for the rest of her life. “Okay, go on.”
His lips twitched. “Moments ago, I remembered what my mom used to say. She said when you can laugh together, you can get through anything together. That’s how I feel about you. About us. So, I’m asking you again. Wait! Hang on. Jesus, I should probably pull my pants on.”
Now her lips were twitching. “Seriously? We have fun pink handcuffs on the bed.”
He leveled her a look. “I don’t want to be hearing twenty years from now how I could have handled this more romantically.”
Unexpected laughter tickled its way up her throat. “More romantic than this?”
“Oh, shit!” He pushed himself up off the bed, reaching for his pants, and then started to pull them up. “You’re right. This isn’t romantic at all, is it? Dammit, I don’t usually give in to impulsivity or spontaneity. I should have made a plan and stuck to it.”
She got up and pressed her head against his chest. “Okay, I might regret this comment, but I like you impulsive and spontaneous.”
He tipped her chin up, studying her face. “You do?”
“I do.” She cupped his jaw, feeling the stubble from his long day. “That’s important to me too. Us laughing together. Working together. I didn’t have much happiness growing up, but I’ve worked hard to cultivate it in my life. With you, I feel like so much more is waiting for me. Like there’s all this fun and support, bliss even, available to me now. Because you are perfect for me too.”
He caressed her face before cupping her cheek tenderly. “So I get a pass for proposing here? In this moment?”
She turned her head until she could kiss his palm. “Yes.”
“Wait here.” He crossed to the bedside stand and opened the drawer before closing it. “I’m still getting down on a knee, so prepare yourself.”
She started chuckling at that determination in his voice. She was going to get some romance after all. “Should I get the handcuffs? I mean, you’re bare-chested and your pants aren’t zipped.”
He sank to one knee and looked up, extending his hand. “But look, I have a ring.”
She glanced down, all humor vanishing. Inside a black jewelry box was the brightest diamond she’d ever seen in a simple setting that suited her perfectly. “When did you go ring shopping?”
“Sheila and I went while you were talking to Buck and pushing paper,” he said with a wicked grin. “I told you I had game.”
She put her hand to her mouth, joy rising in her heart. “So you do. Ask me again.”
She halfway expected him to roll his eyes, but his gaze held hers with love. “Lily Meadows, I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?”
“I love you too, and you bet I will.”
