“It is.” His stare is fully locked on me.
That makes me face him and the look in his eyes shakes my entire system. It’s so intense and real.
I find myself standing on my tiptoes, wrapping my arms around his neck.
His hands tighten on my waist and he tilts down his head and lean our foreheads together.
“I want you to know that I’ve got you no matter what happens,” he says in a thick, gravel tone, as though he’s engraving each word into stone. “I’m not going anywhere. I want you, and nothing in the world will change how I feel.”
“I know,” I reply.
“And I love you,” he says with a smile.
Lately, I’ve noticed he smiles at me more often. I’m beginning to recognize the way his smile lines appear, or how his eyes brighten with joy. It’s one of my favorite things about him.
“I love you too,” I tell him with a grin.
“Good, because if you hadn’t, I would’ve done anything to make you fall in love with me.”
I raise a little and kiss him. He melts against me and gently pulls me closer until our chests are pressed and our hearts are beating together.
He kisses me slowly, sweetly, and with such tenderness that I can’t help but get lost in him.
Under the starry sky, we kiss until our lips go numb, and every nerve in my body tingles.
Breathless and panting, we stand so close that there’s no space between us.
“I got you an early birthday present,” he announces out of nowhere.
“What?” I blink.
Letting go of me, he strides to his car and grabs a box from the glove compartment. He jogs toward me, stopping in front of me, looking a little nervous as he runs his fingers through his hair.
“Here it is,” he whispers, handing me the small black velvet box.
A frission of excitement rushes through me, as I take the box from him and slowly open it. Inside sits a silver shiny necklace with a rose pendant.
“I got it custom-made,” he adds.
The necklace looks stunning.
I trace the rose charm and feel my chest tighten.
“It’s rose because that’s what I call youandwhat you mean to me — someone very important to me,” he speaks again.
My throat seems to have swollen up with the emotions. I force the words out. “I love it.”
“Really?”
I nod and look at him to assure him. “Yes, and knowing all that just makes it even more special to me.”
Gently, I take it out of the box and hold it in my hand. “Will you put it on me?”
“Uh, sure.” This is the first time I’m seeing him out of his element. He never loses his composure.
I hand him the necklace and turn around. I feel him close behind me as he brings the necklace around my neck. “Your hair, Rose.”
I shiver at his proximity. “Uh, yes.” I quickly gather my hair and lift it up.
