“What should I call you? Would you prefer wife?”
“Is that supposed to be a proposal?” she slurred, half asleep. Her lids were too heavy to stay open, her body blissed out.
“And if it is?” He chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. “Will you marry me, Raven MacInnes?”
She probably should think about it longer, but she felt too good. Besides, who was she kidding? Like she was going to say no.
“Yes.”
CHAPTER 12
The hum of the limo was smooth and nearly silent, save for the occasional sound of the city passing outside. Raven’s pulse thrummed beneath her skin as she shifted in the plush leather seat, her senses heightened by the complete darkness of the silk blindfold covering her eyes.
Vector’s hand enclosed hers, warm and firm, grounding her. “Nervous?” he asked, amusement lacing his tone.
She exhaled slowly, willing herself to relax. “Should I be?”
His thumb traced lazy circles against the inside of her wrist. “Not at all. You trust me, don’t you?”
She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. “Yes.” The admission was soft, but undeniable.
Vector’s grip tightened slightly, his approval a palpable thing. “Good.”
A thrill shot through her, settling deep in her belly. She felt the shift of his body as he leaned in, the heat of him brushing against her. Then,the press of his lips against the side of her necksent a shudder rippling down her spine.
“You’re exquisite when you surrender,” he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. “I could keep you blindfolded all night just to see how you respond to me.”
A shaky exhale escaped her, her body aching with the need to be closer to him.She had fallen for him, completely, irreversibly, and she wasn’t even sure when it had happened.
The limo slowed, then stopped. Vector helped her out of the car then lifted her in his arms, carried her cradled against his chest like precious cargo.
After what felt like an eternity, he set her on her feet. His fingers slid under the silk, gently untying the blindfold. “We’re here.”
The fabric slipped away, and Raven blinked, her vision adjusting to the golden glow of streetlights illuminating the front of anornate, historic jewelry store. The name engraved on the glass familiar. But she didn’t even need to see the name. She could tell by the sheer elegance of the building that this wasn’t just any retailer—it wasone of the most exclusive jewelers in London.
Her pulse jumped. “Vector… what is this?”
He smirked but said nothing, guiding her inside.
The moment they stepped in, the world outside melted away. The boutique was utterly silent, devoid of customers, the only sound the faint hum of soft instrumental music playing through unseen speakers.The air was thick with the scent of polished wood, velvet, and the faint, tantalizing glimmer of something more—something ancient and powerful.
Vector led her to one of the display cases, where a poised saleswoman stood waiting behind the glass, her hands delicately folded in front of her.
Raven’s breath hitched as she looked down.
Every single piece in the case was a diamond solitaire.
Her vision blurred with unshed tears as she turned to Vector. “Are you… serious?”
“You did say yes. Don’t you remember?” He smiled, slow and certain, before tucking a loose strand of hair behind herear. Then, withthe softest press of his lips against hers, he whispered, “I have never been more serious about anything in my life.”
Raven’s fingers trembled as she reached out, hovering over the rings. “I don’t even know where to start.”
“Then let’s start together.”
She selected a simple, elegant ring, but Vector chuckled, shaking his head. “No. I meant what I said—you can have anything.”
The saleswoman, sensing the opportunity of the moment, retrieved another tray, revealing a ring so stunning Raven’s breath left her in a rush.
