Page 61 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

Chapter Eighteen

Iwoke up, reaching out for Lachlan. The bed was empty. I sat up and looked around the large bedroom, rubbing my eyes. The clock on the nightstand indicated it was past nine A.M.

My body felt relaxed. I thought back to last night, his marriage proposal. Maybe daylight will change that? I felt a little pang hoping it would not. I didn’t want to let that thought tamper my mood, so I hurried into the bathroom to freshen up and get ready.

As I came out of the bathroom, I went to check my reflection in the mirror. My gaze fell to his beautiful necklace and images of last night flashed in my mind. Lachlan was intense and consuming but what if that was not enough.

Old ghosts plagued my mind and doubt crept in. I couldn’t explain why but I reached out into the drawer and took out my old necklace with wedding rings dangling off, ready to slip off the chain. I placed it back around my neck, as if it was my own personal shield.

As I clipped my necklace and tucked it underneath Lachlan’s sapphires, Asinlee burst through the door.

“I knew it,” she was screeching. “I knew it! Didn’t I tell you?”

“What are you talking about?” I asked in confusion. “And seriously, Ainslee! You should knock. What if I wasn’t dressed?”

“Lachlan said you two are getting married,” she answered the first question and completely ignored all the other comments.

Daylight didn’t change his mind!

My heart skipped a beat hearing her say it out loud. I wondered where he was.

“He is in the library,” she told me. “He’s making sure you have a spot for yourself in the library, just in case you want to write there. He is also having these rooms rearranged. I heard him say he wants the windowsill area to be expanded into your own corner.

She looked over to the windowsill noting all the books I left on it along with a pillow I was using to prop myself against.

“Now, I understand why,” she commented.

I frowned at the thought of Lachlan going through all that trouble. I didn’t want him to rearrange everything just for me.

I walked downstairs, Ainslee trailing behind me. Thankfully, she continued on to the terrace saying she’d see me later while I entered the library.

“Hey, sleeping beauty.” I heard his voice and I whipped around.

“Good morning,” I commented, smiling as I walked towards him.

He pulled me to him and gave me a lingering kiss on my lips.

“Good morning,” he whispered warmly. His fingers brushed against my neck and he added in a content voice. “You kept the necklace on.”

I sighed, my body instantly responding to the proximity of his body.

“I did but it is too fancy to wear every day,” I blushed as I told him, remembering what he told me about the necklace last night. The men of his family gave it instead of engagement rings.

With those beautiful sapphires and diamonds, I felt like I should strut around in a ballgown all day, not blue jeans and white t-shirt. Lachlan, on the other hand, looked polished and put together. We were dressed like two opposites.

My hand reached out to touch the necklace, my necklace, and the beautiful stones that laid over my signature necklace with my wedding rings that I never took off. A slight annoyance crossed Lachlan's face noticing my fingers on the rings. I guess I couldn’t blame him. I didn’t think I would like it if he wore something to remind him of his past.

I removed my hand and reached out to him, fidgeting with his shirt, unsure how to act right now. Again, it flashed through my mind how little we actually knew about each other. I quickly pushed it away.

“I ordered a ring for you,” he declared with a smile in his voice, his annoyance gone. He bent his head down and laid a kiss on my neck followed by a gentle bite on my earlobe. I leaned my head against his chest. There was just something about him that washed away most of my pain, or at least made it bearable.

“I obtained our marriage license this morning too,” he told me and I looked up into his eyes in surprise.

“On a Sunday?” I asked, wondering how he did that.

“Yes.” He acted like it was the most understandable thing in the world. “License and the ring should be ready by noon.”

I eyed him unsure. “Why such a rush? I haven’t even looked up a ring for you.”

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