His heart hammered when the tips of her fingers came up to cover her mouth. “I did,” she whispered. “He did not seem worried about it.”
Their eyes remained lock. “Then he’s an asshole because something is obviously wrong with you.”
She giggled, the sound shaky, and rested her clasped hands together on the edge of the table, leaning in slightly. “He was actually quite pleasant.”
How many times since he’d learned of his daughter’s existence had he wondered what this conversation would have been had he not done what he had? Miraculously, she was giving this to him. Taking from him one of his regrets. Replacing it with yet another incredible memory.
“He suggested I pick up some vitamins on my way home from my appointment.”
Alek just stared. Couldn’t say a goddamn thing.
“Prenatal vitamins.”
Flames of regret and longing singed his throat. He wanted to be there to hold her hair back during bouts of morning sickness.
“He said I should have brought my significant other to the appointment because he liked to make such announcements to both parties.”
He wanted to see her belly grow with their daughter, feel the excitement of that first kick.
“He warned me the coming months would bring many changes, but because I am young, I should have no problems.”
He wanted to listen to her complain about her clothes not fitting properly, hear her ask Do I look fat to you? Am I bigger today than I was yesterday?
“He asked me if my partner was a supportive man or if you were one of those busy professionals that might make me attend my remaining appointments alone. He wanted to meet you once before the big day.”
He wanted to lay next to her in bed while she slept and talk to Lekzi while she was still safe and protected within the beautiful body he loved. He wanted so badly to tell his child what an amazing person she would soon meet; her mother.
“I told him you were wonderful and that you would be very supportive.”
Moisture dripped from his eyes and he slowly brought his hand up to jam his finger and thumb into his burning sockets, losing sight of the one who held his life in her hands.
“I told him you would love the baby I carried as much as you love me.”
“I do,” he whispered hoarsely as he dropped his hand. “You were my best friend. The very best part of my life. And I fucked it up so badly. I won’t do that again. If you stay with me, if you choose to stay with me, I’ll do everything I can to make it so you never regret your decision.”
Before he could hear a no, and like so many men before him, he left his chair and went to the floor at his woman’s feet. She shook her head. “Oh, no. Oh, Alekzander, no. You do not have to do this,” she whispered as moisture welled in her eyes. “I am yours. I will always be yours. I made my choice long ago. You do not have to do this.”
Those amazing words had him dropping his head into her lap. He couldn’t get a word out as his heart expanded until his love for her filled him completely. She stroked his hair and gave him the time he needed.
“I love you. Passionately and obsessively. I have from the moment we met. From your mind-blowing beauty to your soft, generous heart and brilliant mind I’m ashamed to say I attempted to stifle because of jealousy. You’re my greatest weakness and my greatest strength.” He squeezed his eyes shut and hurled himself off the cliff.
Slipping his hand into his pocket, he took out the small box and flipped it open with his thumb. Lifting his head right along with his arm, he locked onto her gold eyes and begged for his life.
“I’m giving you the power to break me with one word. Don’t.” He gave her a pointed look before going on, ever the spoiled brat issuing orders. “I would prefer its counterpart. The one that will build me up in the way you’ve done since the beginning of us. Please, honor me by voluntarily giving yourself to me. Be with me because you want to be with me. Be with me because you trust that I will die to protect you and Lekzi from this life I cannot walk away from. Stay with me because you feel what I feel, and it’s powerful enough to prevent you from doing anything but. Say you’ll be my wife, Sacha. Holy hell, that sounds good,” he murmured under his breath.
“Alekzander…?”
He presumptuously took her left hand. “Yes?”
“This means you forgive me for what I did with Lekzi?”
“Yes, of course. I would forgive you anything. You must know that. Except this waiting. You’re fucking killing me here—”
She slid down the front of his body until she was kneeling before him. Neither of them paid attention to the chair falling behind her. She took his face between her shaking hands and tipped her head, kissing him with that hunger he would forever respond to. He participated with a low growl, and, yes, he dropped the ring next to his leg and got a solid grip on her ass to pull her hard into the erection that began growing the moment she touched him.