Page 120 of Tempt Me Forever

His eyes sparkled. "Look at that smile. I knew a regular diamond wouldn't do."

“Pink is always better.”

He rose to his feet. The ring looked amazing on my finger. And he was right, a normal one wouldn't do.

He planted little kisses on the corner of my mouth before capturing my lips, kissing me long and deep. I felt like he was kissing me for the first time all over again. It was so full of love and tenderness and the things that had grown between us since then.

Drake pulled back a bit, looking down with satisfaction.

"What?" I asked, suddenly self-conscious.

"Your lips are red." He took a bigger step back.

"Oh, right, your secret dream was for everyone to know I'm yours, huh?"

He pointed at the ring. "And now they do."

“That’s a much more elegant way to stake a claim on me," I said, feeling supremely proud that he was so possessive.

We walked side by side at a lazy pace back to the hotel, but we weren't hurrying anywhere even though we were meeting Declan and Luke today. Luke had flown with us to introduce us to the crew, and Declan was taking care of some legal issues.

"Oh my God!" I exclaimed, the realization hitting me. "Is that why when my cousins wanted to make plans with us for dinner, you said we already had something scheduled?"

"Obviously. I wanted to celebrate all alone with you."

"What did they say when you told them you were proposing?

Drake jerked his head back. "What are you talking about?"

I pressed my lips together, giggling. "You didn't tell them?"

"No."

"Declanmighthave expected you to ask for my hand." I grinned. "You know what? Serves them right. They always think they should know every little thing, but I can't wait to see their reactions."

Declan was in charge of all the legal things for the hotel, and nowadays we Maxwells kept him so busy that I had no clue how he had time for other clients, too, but he did. He'd fought tooth and nail for Suze and got her the alimony she deserved. Lawrence tried to play the custody card and failed miserably.

We were staying at the same hotel as last time. Same room. God, my man was so romantic. I couldn't believe he'd planned it this way.

Luke and Declan were in the reception area, sitting on the leather couch. There were several folders between them.

"You’re back," Declan said, standing up. He immediately noticed my ring. "Luke."

Luke glanced up from the files. I was holding my hand forward so he couldn't miss the ring. He immediately rose to his feet too.

"Congratulations. When did this happen?"

"Just now," I said.

Drake kissed the back of my hand and rested his chin on top of it.

Declan looked at Drake for a long time before saying, "Congratulations, man."

"Oh, stop it, you two," I said.

Drake chuckled. "Kimberly says you were expecting me to ask for her hand."

Declan stared at him. I pressed my lips together and looked over my shoulder at Drake.

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