Page 74 of Fragile Love (Fragile 3)
They got out of the shower together; Lillian did her nightly face care routine and Cayden lay down on the bed, watching her dry her body with the towel.
“You’re so sexy,” he murmured.
“Don’t embarrass me.” She came back into the bedroom and saw Cayden’s clothes scattered all over the floor. “Uh, were you in a hurry?”
“A little.” He winked.
She looked at him, waiting for him to offer to pick up his own clothes, but he did no such thing. “I’ll pick these up, then,” she said, trying to sound nice, but he heard the tinge of irritation in her voice. “Let the naked housemaid do the work.” She folded his shirt and put it on the chair, and then picked up his jeans to do the same. Something fell out of his pocket and thumped against the floor.
Not surprised that he had left something carelessly in his pocket, she set his jeans on the chair and bent to pick it up.
Then she saw what it was.
A small box.
“Cayden,” she said, sounding a little bit scared. “What’s that?”
Before she even finished asking, he jumped to his feet and picked her up, setting her down on the edge of the bed. “Do you really want to know?”
She didn’t say anything, her eyes as wide as ever. She clasped her hands together and pressed them against her mouth.
Cayden reached over and grabbed the box, then lowered himself to one knee.
Lillian sucked in a sharp breath.
“Lil,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers, “I was wondering if you would marry me.”
Tears immediately overflowed and spilled down her cheeks.
He opened the box to show her the ring. “This was my great-grandmother’s ring,” he said. “All the stones are real, but you’re worth so much more than any precious gem.”
Lillian let out a tiny sob. “That’s so dumb,
” she laughed, blubbering through her tears.
“I mean it, though. Lil, you’re the most important to me. I want to make sure I can hold you every night for the rest of my life. I want to tell you how beautiful and incredible you are for the rest of yours.” He took the ring in his hand and held it out. “You have so much strength, but you will always be my fragile love. I want to protect and take care of you forever.”
Very cautiously, Lillian extended her left hand and Cayden slipped the ring onto her finger. She looked at him, and her face was overcome by a smile so huge and bright it lit up the whole room. “Yes,” she whispered, and threw her arms around his neck. He gave a whoop of joy and picked her up, spinning her around the room, and let them both fall back onto the bed. Lying next to her, he let his eyes feast on her beauty.
“I love you,” he said, kissing her again.
She giggled. “I love you, too, Cayden.” They held each other tight and suddenly she pulled back. Leaning on her elbow, she stared at him seriously. “But I have one request.”
He propped himself up on his elbow. “What’s that?”
“Well, we’re both naked right now.”
“I noticed,” he smirked, touching her hip, suddenly desperate to kiss every inch of her naked body.
She blushed. “People like to ask how the proposal happened, and I thought maybe we could lie just a little bit. Not mention the naked part, you know.”
Cayden laughed. “Sure, Lil. We can leave that part out.”
“Thank you.” She rested her gaze on him again, seeming totally calm, and suddenly let a shout of elation ring from her throat. Cayden was positive that she was glowing, and seeing her so filled with joy made his heart swell. Her excitement was contagious; it latched onto him with a sensation he had never experienced, and he knew no one else would ever be able to make him feel this way.
Pulling her into his arms, he let out a shout to echo hers. They kissed, and the butterflies that flitted around inside them made their first kiss pale in comparison.
“Lillian Warren,” he whispered in her ear, seeing the goose bumps prickle up, “you are extraordinary.”
