Page 89 of The Gambler's Prize
“I know, I know. Like I said, I was being silly.”
“It’s okay.” I look at him sideways. “Jealousy can be kinda… hot.”
He perks up fast. “Really?”
“As long as you don’t take it too far.”
He grabs my locket necklace, the one that holds the ashes of our contract, and pulls me close. He has this habit now, leading me around the bedroom with it, using it to drag me close when he wants to assert his will. I love it. Heat spreads through my body as I look way up at him.
“I’m confused. Help me out here,” he says. “You’re saying Ishouldn’tcorner that chef and tell her you’re mine and that she’s never to look at you again?”
“I’d rather you didn’t.” I wind my arms around his neck, standing on tiptoe to kiss his crooked grin. “But I like you a little jealous. Shows you care.”
“Oh, Idefinitelycare.”
I lean close to whisper in his ear, uncaring of the pedestrians hurrying past. “And don’t worry, I’ll only spread my legs whenyouorder me to.”
“Mmm.” He moans satisfaction at the idea into my ear. His hands sneak down to my ass and give it a quick squeeze.
“So, where are you taking me for dinner tonight?” I say, stepping back before we get carried away.
“I was thinking of the Haloh,” he says, naming a very expensive restaurant.
He keeps taking me to fancy places, and he insists on paying for everything. When it’s my turn to choose I always choose street food eaten while walking around the city as the stars begin to sparkle in the sky: my favorite kind of date. He thinks I’m trying to save as much money as possible for the gym. He’s partially right, but to be honest I mostly just love having him to myself, no other customers looking on, just the two of us walking hand in hand under the twilit sky. And tonight I have a very special reason for wanting to be alone.
“It’s up to you, of course, Boss,” I say, biting my lip, all demure. “But Ithinkyou might want to go for street food this evening. I have something to say to you, and I don’t think I could do it in a crowded restaurant.”
His eyes get wide. He swallows hard. “Florian? What—?”
“Let’s get the food,” I say.
He tries to get me to explain, but I’m tight-lipped as we grab a couple of fried beef and cheese pastries from a street vendor. We take them to Jal hill, which has a perfect view overlooking the city, and sit on the grass beneath a monument to those who’ve died in the Rhennes-Callinth war—on both sides.
“So what were you going to say?” he demands, before either of us can take a bite.
I hesitate. I’m sure of the answer I’m going to get. The way he looks at me doesn’t lie. But now the moment is here I’m nervous, the ghost of low self-esteem coming back to haunt me. I don’t even know how to say it. How would I phrase it? Shit, was I stupid to think I’m strong enough to do this?
With shaking hands, I take the jewelry box from my pocket. I open it and let the bracelet hang from my trembling fingers.Grimes’ eyes fix on it. Rhennian engagement bracelets are unmistakable: always gold, always with a bar where the date of the engagement and wedding is engraved, along with any words that are special to the couple.
“Yes,” he says. “Hell, yes, I’ll marry you.”
He leaps on me and bowls me right over. I’m crushed on my back on the grass as he attacks me with breathless kisses. I’ve never seen him so beside himself.
“You little minx,” he keeps saying. “You had this all planned and you didn’t say anything? How could you keep this from me? And where did you get the bracelet?”
I can’t draw breath between the happiness crushing my chest, and Grimes crushing me… literally.
“Can’t breathe,” I squeak. He finally releases me. “I got the bracelet at a Rhennian jeweler’s here in Obal. I’ve been planning it for weeks. I’ve had the bracelet in my pocket all this time.”
“I thought you might want me to be the one to propose,” he says.
“I wantedyouto feel like the prize this time,” I say.
He kisses me again, melting me right down to liquid in his hands.
“I bet you didn’t think I was bold enough to propose,” I say.
“On the contrary.” He smiles, and I see my own happiness reflected in his dark eyes. “You’re bold enough for anything, flower.”
