Page 74 of Saved from Obsession

It’s lightning bolts and fireworks and a current of electricity sizzling through me. Everything goes blank for a second—a white wall of pure pleasure—before I roll us both over and wrap my arms around her. We lay there gasping against each other, Georgia’s breath hot on my neck, and I stroke my hand gently over the back of her head.

“Do you feel okay?” I ask softly, “Any pain?”

Georgia smiles against me. “Definitely no pain. I feelgreat.”

Skin on skin, every curve molding perfectly to mine, her soft weight and trust in my arms—the love I feel for Georgia is overwhelming. Tears burn against the back of my eyes and a sliver of pain stabs between my ribs as I think about how close I came to losing her. To losing the most precious gift I’ve ever been given.

I love her so much.

And I’ve learned that waiting for the perfect moment is pointless when you’re with the perfect person.

Which is why I’m getting out of bed even though Georgia is looking up at me with her gorgeous smile and satisfied gaze and kiss-swollen lips and I want to hold her in my arms forever. But there’s something else I need to do first.

Georgia quirks one brow and raises up on an arm to watch me. “Where are you going? Come back to bed.”

I turn around halfway to the bathroom and smile at her. “Just getting a washcloth, sweetheart. Stay there.”

Once I’m back in bed and Georgia’s back in my arms, I reach over to the nightstand and rummage around in the drawer. “What are you doing?” she starts, but her mouth snaps shut when she sees the narrow, pale blue box in my hand.

“It’s something I’ve been waiting to give you,” I say, and my pulse jumps from a steady trot to a full-out sprint. “I thought I’d wait for the perfect time. When you’re completely healed, and I could take you somewhere romantic. But then I realized something.”

Georgia’s eyes are the purest blue, love shining through like the sun in the sky. “What?”

“The perfect time doesn’t matter. As long as you’re with me, any time is perfect.”

“Oh, Leo.” Her voice wobbles.

“So it’s notexactlywhat I want to give you,“ I say, placing the box in her hands. “It’s not a ring. Not yet. But if you open it, I’ll explain.”

“Okay…” One eyebrow crooks up at me, along with one corner of her lips. She pulls the lid off the box slowly, gasping when she sees what’s inside.

It’s not the diamond ring I wanted to give her. Not yet. But it’s a diamond just the same—the declaration of love, the promise, the perfect facets throwing sparkles across Georgia’s face—but it’s on a delicate chain instead of the band I intend to give her later.

“Leo,“ she breathes, her eyes going wide.

“I know it’s not a ring.” I rush to explain. “But it will be. I’m going to propose to you. But I want to give you time to heal, to get your feet back under you. To adjust to being free again.”

“And when I propose to you,that’swhen I want to do it right. I want to take you somewhere special, somewhere romantic, and I want to plan everything down to the song that’s playing and the scent of candles lit all around us. To create a moment you’ll remember forever.”

“But Georgia,” I cup her cheek, brushing my thumb across it. “I didn’t want to wait to tell you how I feel. To let you know that Iwillbe proposing, and I want you to marry me, and there is no one else in theuniverseI’d ever want to marry.”

“Oh,Leo.“ Georgia swallows hard and her lips are trembling.

But she doesn’t give me time to worry about her reaction, because a second later, her face bursts into a brilliant smile.

“Yes.“ Leaning in, she kisses me, leaving no doubt to her feelings. “Yes, to your non-proposal.” She laughs, beaming at me. “You’re the only person I’ll ever want to marry. And I’ll say yes when youdoask me.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with doing it this way? Waiting?”

“Yes, Leo.” She snuggles into me, pressing another kiss to my cheek. “I’m okay with it. And you’re right. I’m doing a lot better, but I still have some healing to do. Some adjusting, working things through in my head. But as long as I have you beside me, supporting me, I don’t need to be engaged. Not yet.”

My throat gets tight and my nose prickles. “You’llalwayshave me.”

“And one more thing.” Georgia gives me a mischievous smile. “Don’t waittoolong. Or I’ll end proposing to you first.”

“Trust me, I won’t.” I wink at her. “I’m already making plans.”

I take the necklace out of the box, fastening it around Georgia’s neck, admiring the sparkle of fire and ice resting against her chest.

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