Page 372 of Now and Forever

“Come here, love, and give me a proper kiss.” He tried to pull me close; however, I gave him a slashing look before I diverted my eyes towards where our friends were sitting and chatting, making it appear I was unwilling to do a major PDA display in front of our peers.

“Can we do that later?” My heart was beating so fast I almost sounded breathless. I needed to get out of here quickly before I hyperventilated due to massive anxiety. “I, uh, need to check on something.”

Gradually getting back on my feet, I let my eyes roam towards the food on the table and had the brilliant idea to replenish some of the sandwiches and see if there were freshly baked pastries to serve, as well.

“I’ll be back with more nibbles,” I said as I strode out of the garden room, lost in thought as I robotically navigated towards the kitchens.

Entering the busiest part of the house where our cooks bustled to prepare for dinnertime, I was about to ask Dasha if she could prepare some more hors d’oeuvres when the kitchen door opened across the room that led towards the back entry, and in came Reiss. The entryway was for catering and bringing in produce without using the main entrance, which my mother had a distinct request for “the help”, as she odiously put it, not to ever use.

Since Reiss’s mother was one of the household staff, it wasn’t uncommon for him to come in and mingle with the other staff, but this was the first time we had been in the same room with people who might know or might not know about us. He was brightly beaming at me, and I was too perplexed to do anything other than stare at him.

Alarm bells were ringing inside my head. Ashton was in the other room, and I wasn’t sure how to fully explain things with either Reiss or Ashton without causing an uproar between the men.

With my brain half-functioning, I addressed Dasha and requested more food as I ought to have done the second I emerged in the kitchen. I had gotten too distracted by unexpectedly seeing Reiss and feeling this immense sharp pain inside my chest when I came to realize how badly I’d missed him.

Too guilty to even glance in his direction, I gradually retreated as I tried to regulate my shaky breathing.

How in God’s name did I break it to him? He’d been telling me he was crazy in love and he’d do anything to continue making me happy. Subsequently, this—what I was about to do later tonight—would truly make him hate me.

Halfway through my route towards the garden room, I had to halt my steps, stopping midway as I scrambled to the nearest powder room to gather my thoughts. I was hyperventilating and couldn’t seem to get my bearings.

Things between Ashton and I were complicated, but with Reiss, things were simple. All he needed was me, and he never asked for much else. He never demanded, never urged for anything. He treated me like porcelain and never failed to make me feel beautiful.

His eyes …Each time they landed on me, I always saw how much he cared, how much he adored and loved me. I hated myself for what was to come, yet I knew I had to do it. Nothing would come of us if I stayed with him.

“Ava?” A soft knock against the door made me jump to consciousness. “Can I come in?” Reiss’s gentle voice asked softly.

I didn’t say a thing; however, the door still opened as a cautious looking Reiss entered. The moment he saw me leaning against the washbasin, his infectious smile appeared, making me feel all the more like a truly horrid human being.

“Hey, princess,” he greeted as he crossed the space dividing us. “Everything okay? I had to come in to see you and tell you I can’t wait to have you all to myself tonight.”

Upon reaching me in my frozen post, his finger lifted my chin to meet his kiss, leaving me more of a wreck because I loved everything he did to me. I loved his touch and how he made me feel, and I was going to let it all go.

“Reiss …” I started, looking away as I stared at his lips. “I doubt I can come tonight … or any other night, for that matter.” My voice came out as a whisper, almost breaking as I tried to steel myself inside. “I’m sorry—I’m sorry for everything. I truly am. If things were different, it wouldn’t be like this, but they aren’t, and I must do what is best for the both of us. I can’t continue this. I must cut ties with you.”

Fear gripped him as he cupped my cheeks, seeking me out. “No, Ava! Don’t you bloody dare do it! Don’t let your mother get between us. We’re stronger than that. We’re better than that. I love you, you know I do. I love you so bloody much I’ve done things I never thought possible.”

Lines started to form on his forehead, his expression one of pleading as he penetrated my soul with his gaze. “Please … don’t break my heart. I won’t ever mend. You’re the one, Ava. You’re the one I want to spend the rest of my days with, to be the mother of my children, my wife,” he shakily whispered as his voice got eerily serious. “Marry me.”

“I …” my throat ran dry. I was aghast as I stared at him numbly. “I beg your pardon?” I parroted as the words hounded my thoughts. Marriage. Babies. Wife. Babies. Marriage. Wife. His wife.

His …

Forever.

His face clearly showed how nervous he was, but he somehow produced a ring from one of his pockets before he got on his knee, looking up to me with hope in his eyes. “Ava Watson, you came into my life unexpectedly. Your sass and your unparalleled beauty captured me the very moment I saw you. You spark a fire inside of me, and I want it lit up for the rest of my days.

“Loving you is and will always be my purpose. Grant me this honor of becoming my forever, and I will swear to you, my parents, and to all of jolly England that I will not rest until you are happy. We will continue as one until you take your last breath.” He paused, looking a tad teary. “I am mad for you, and I hope you’re going to consider my proposal.”

He then took my shaky hand and slid the simple gold ring with a tiny diamond embedded in the middle onto my finger. “I know this ring might not be as grand as you certainly deserve, but I vow to you that I’ll work hard and give you a new one each year until I can fully afford to buy you a massive rock.”

Fuck.

As proposals went, this was the most unconventional one, although I knew he was being heartfelt and sweet, just like the man himself.

Uncontrollable tears streaked my face as I stared at the ring on my finger.

“Reiss, I’m too young for this.” I sobbed, distraught that a major part of me wanted to say yes and to hell with the rest of my life. No man, not even Ashton, could make me feel like a bloody goddess. But the other part argued, hard. Giving me bleak scenarios. And, much to my despair, my mother’s words kept ringing in my head, making things worse for me.

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