Page 11 of Merry Kissmas, My Billionaire

But there’s another fact that he and I have to face and for two weeks I’ve tried to approach the subject without success.

Arms wrap around my mid-section and he kisses the nape of my neck. “You look good enough to eat…” Teeth nip a little harshly where my hair will cover.

Pleasure and pain, we’ve both had enough of the latter in our lives. For the last year we’ve made the former a goal for both of us.

I turn in his arms. “Merry Christmas, honey.”

He pecks the tip of my nose. He says it’s the perfect button. “Merry Christmas, Ms. Everly.” He slips his hand into mine and tugs. “Come with me.”

I motion to the stairs. “But the—”

“They’ll be fine. I want to show you something.”

I shuffle along wondering what’s going on.

He stands in front of the ballroom. One of the places that has become our favorite for an evening wind down of a couple waltzes and occasionally a little dirty dancing, too. The man has moves.

“This last year has been…magical, Hope.”

My chest warms. “It really has…”

But as quickly as the warm settles in, I watch his eyes darting around. He’s nervous. Trent’s never nervous. His confidence is one of those things that I love about him.

“Is everything okay?” I ask cautiously.

“Yes. I promise.”

He opens the doors and I suck in a breath. “Wow.”

He chuckles and leans down to me, “I seem to remember another wow that happened in this room.”

I roll my eyes and rock into him.

The room is decked out.

He’d told me not to decorate it as his family wasn’t coming into town. Only the household staff and friends would be coming here for the party tonight.

And they’re here.

But the room… I don’t know where to look. Every corner is decked in color. I remember him saying he didn’t want color last year. But this year…the room is blooming.

“It’s gorgeous.”

“I’m glad you like it.” He pulls me into the center of the room and everyone holds their champagne at the ready. “Hope Everly, you have changed me for the better. I don’t ever want to be without you. Please say you’ll be mine.” He lowers to one knee and all the blood drains from my hands. He grabs my left and holds it up. “Will you marry me?”

His hand is a little clammy and that just tells me how much this means to him. The nerves mean he has something to lose.Me…and the girls.Who smile at us from the corner.

He’s become more than my partner. He’s become their best friend, and a father figure who tries to both be a role model and a support for them.

“Yes.” I whisper the word and he smiles.

“Louder for the people in the back!” I know that voice.Stevie!

“Yes!” I call out and the room goes wild.

Trent pulls a box from his pocket and slips a diamond on my hand that is more than I need, but probably less than he wanted to put on my finger.

He stands and presses his lips to mine, gently. “I love you.”

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