“What do you have, Easton?”
He turned to find her standing at the top of the stairs. He strode up a few and handed her the bouquet of red roses. “These.” He opened the jeweler’s bag and removed the box within. “And this.”
Her hand fluttered to her chest. “You can’t mean…I… Oh boy, I think I’m going to faint.”
He rushed up the stairs and caught her up with a hand around her waist. When he’d guided her to a chair, she sat down, and he sat beside her. “Open it, please.”
She did as he asked, and moisture gathered in her eyes. He stroked away the single tear that escaped and was gratified this time she didn’t complain about the expense of the diamond ring, although her fingers did tremble when he slid it into place.
“How did you choose this? What am I thinking? You knew which pieces your company designed, right?”
He nodded. “Correct. You will marry me then?”
She bit her lip and stared down at the diamond. He stroked her soft mocha skin, his heart racing in a way that had never happened before with a woman.
“I couldn’t wear it to work.”
“I’ll get you one more suitable for the restaurant. You will show the world you belong to me.”
She rolled her eyes. “I guess I have no choice. Someone has to get you off your high horse.”
The smile lit up her face, arresting his attention. He would do whatever it took to make her happy. “Kenzie.”
“I love you too, Easton. Yes, I will marry you.”
He dragged her into his arms and slanted his mouth over hers. She surrendered to the exploration of his mouth and his hands when he let them roam over her body. Burrowing beneath her blouse, he found her breast and pinched the tight little peak. She arched into his touch, shuddering, and he figured they’d better get out of there before he had her naked on a table.#p#分页标题#e#
A crackling between them made her draw back, frowning. “What’s that?”
He smiled and dug inside his apron to pull out the slips of paper. “These are from your customers.”
Kenzie checked the slips of paper and started crying all over again. “The storm is passing. Your intelligence is second only to your kindness. Never allow anyone to make you feel less than you are. Your light continues to shine brightly in darkness. These are my words.”
He agreed. “Some of them are not relevant to us, but I believe they were given as a sort of encouragement to me not to give up on you.”
She covered her mouth and sobbed. He held her close. After a while, she raised her head from his shoulder. “It wasn’t that serious. I mean, the fact that you came back told me a lot. My customers are awesome, though.”
“You’re awesome,” he corrected. “I never thought it would turn out this way, but I’m glad I gave in to Grandfather’s unreasonable demands.”
“He was a brilliant man.”
“Without question.”
Chapter Twelve
One year later
Kenzie fingered the silver rattle placed on the shelf above her baby’s crib. Since everything went into Easton Junior’s mouth, her son couldn’t play with the ornate piece, but it was a keepsake, something to pass on to his son or daughter one day.
Easton’s arms came around her waist, and she settled back against his chest. They were happy, happier than she had ever dreamed.
“You’re sure he can’t have it?” Easton wondered, looking at the rattle with his name engraved on it. She knew a similar one belonged to his twin, Ethan, given to them by their grandfather.
“I’m sure. Don’t you think you’ve bought him enough toys? Not to mention clothes and everything else.”
“Nothing is too much for my son.”
“Our son.” She rolled her eyes. “Why do I feel like the next eighteen years are going to be a battle to keep you from spoiling him?”
He squeezed her around the middle. “You’re happy, and you know it.”
She made a small sound, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and Easton whirled her to face him. The alarm in his eyes surprised her.
“You are happy, aren’t you, Kenzie? Tell me what I need to do.”
She laughed. “Only you could command me to be happy.”
“I didn’t.”
“Calm down, crazy.” She extended up onto her toes and kissed his lips. “My life is wonderful. There’s nothing I want more than you and our son.”
The triumph in his gaze made more sense to who Easton was, and she shook her head. Sure, he’d had to push her to get to the altar, because she’d been scared silly that this was all a mistake and he couldn’t possibly love her the way he claimed. Then there was the move into the mansion where his brother, his sister-in-law, and their new baby lived as well. She’d had to get used to being waited on at every turn and someone else being in command of the kitchen. Aside from that, she loved everything about being Easton’s wife.