Page 126 of The Bachelor

The scene down there would look completely normal to her. She’d be asked for a credit card in case of incidentals and given a key, but she wouldn’t be told that I’d upgraded the room to the nicest suite at the hotel or that I was waiting for her inside.

The suite was over two thousand square feet, so there were endless places for me to hide. But I didn’t want to scare the shit out of her. I wanted to be in a position where I could witness her expression when she walked in the door, where I could stand subtly and then make my presence known.

So, after getting notified from the front desk, I moved into the doorway of the bedroom and leaned my back into the frame. The bedroom was off the living room, kitty-corner to the entrance, putting me away from her direct line of sight when she came through the door.

Something that would be happening any second since I heard the click of the lock and watched the door handle turn. As she stepped in with a bag hanging over her shoulder and a suitcase behind her that she rolled in, the first thing she noticed was the rose petals.

“Awww.” A smile grew across her gorgeous face as she followed the red trail, taking in the flickering candles that were also on the floor, her gaze rising as she scanned the room, where there were more petals and dancing flames.

“My God,” she whispered, her head slowly shaking, like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The movement sent pieces of her hair into her gorgeous face.

Fuck, I was one lucky man.

Even after hours of sitting at an airport and on a plane, driving to Sedona, she was still breathtaking.

The most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my life.

And even though I’d told her, there was no question in my mind.

No doubt.

No fear of what would happen in the future.

Oaklyn Rose was going to be my wife.

She hooked the strap of her purse over the handle of her suitcase, sitting it on top and making sure it was secure before she stepped away.

It was in that moment, her quick second glance that stretched farther across the room, that sent her eyes to me.

A few seconds passed until she realized what she was looking at.

That I was really here.

And once it hit her, an expression moved across her face, one that was filled with so much fucking love. “Camden …”

I smiled. “Surprise.”

“How did you …” Her voice trailed off as she ran over to me, throwing her arms around my neck, burying her face against my chest, like her question no longer mattered.

I lifted her into my arms, where she wrapped her legs around me, and I gripped her with nearly all my strength.

“I flew private,” I said. “That’s how I was able to get here before you.” My fingers dived into the back of her hair, palming her head. “I know we talked about this. I know you wanted to come alone. I know you said having me here would add to the guilt you’re already feeling about Hannah, but, Oaklyn, I couldn’t let you do this by yourself.” She looked at me as I added, “All I want to do is protect you. I can’t do that from LA. I need to be here with you and know you’re safe.”

She scanned my eyes. “I remember, quite fondly, all the times you told me you were no Prince Charming.”

I chuckled. “Well, the circumstances were different then.”

“Were they? Really?”

She was testing me.

And it was so fucking hot.

“I’m assuming, based on your reaction, you’re not pissed that I went against your wishes and popped up in Arizona?”

She held my cheeks, slowly kissing me. “No.” She stared into my eyes as her hands pressed into my beard, her mouth close to mine. “And what I’m assuming is, all these petals and candles are a buildup to something that’s in addition to you being here.” She paused, giving her lip a quick bite. “This is the most romantic gesture anyone has ever done for me—by miles. In fact, you’ve shown me what romance is on a level I’ve never experienced. You love me. Unconditionally. And now, we’re here, in this amazing room, which I know isn’t the same room that I reserved for Hannah and me. Tell me, Camden, what’s coming next?”

I grunted, my voice low, the sound drawn out. “We’re going hiking.”

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