Gage chuckled “Neither. Mama helped wit' da meal. Well, I cooked da steaks, she made ever'ting else.”
Mia took her first bite of steak and groaned. “Oh, perfect.” It had just the right amount of spices to entice her taste buds and just enough pink to satisfy her leopard.
“As if I would feed you anyting else?” There was a teasing note in his voice.
Mia laughed softly. “No, you've gone way out of your way to make dis really amazing, I knew da steak would be perfect.”
They were quiet for several minutes as they enjoyed the meal. “I have a confession to make. Dere's another reason I did all dis. It's not just to celebrate your graduation.” Gage swallowed past the sudden nervousness he felt. “Mia, I tink I fell in love wit' you da day you kicked my shin after I pulled your braid. You've been under my skin, in my thoughts, in my heart, every single day since den. I know, in da past, I've done some tings dat hurt you, and you will never know just how much I regret dat. Here's da ting, Princess. I can't imagine my life wit'out you in it.” He moved from his chair and knelt on one knee next to hers. From the pocket of his slacks he withdrew a small box. Inside lay a ring similar to the promise ring he'd given her, except this one was white gold. The center was a dark ruby with two small diamonds nestled on either side. Just below the diamonds was a tear drop emerald. “Mia Anaise Lafluer, would you do me da honor of becoming my wife? I've already asked your papa for his blessin' and he said as long as I don't break your heart again, he'll happily walk you down da aisle.” He looked into her eyes and saw tears glistening in them and waited. His entire world hung on what those tears meant.
Mia
Mia was thoroughly enjoying their romantic dinner out away from the city. It was such a peaceful place and being there with him, it felt like there was no one else in the world. It was as if everyone else just disappeared. She was taking a sip of her sparkling cider when he told her there was another reason he'd brought her there. She arched a brow at him but before she could question him, he continued.
As Gage spoke of his love for her, Mia began to shake a little. Was he really going where she thought he was? Then he hit one knee and opened the box. The ring was beautiful and when she looked up at his hopeful gaze, tears filled her eyes. “Gage Rafael Delacroix, it sure took you long enough! I've loved you all my life, I've wanted dis all my life. Yes, a million times, yes!”
When Gage pulled her into his arms to kiss her, Mia melted against him. “You continue to surprise me. You know papa will skin you alive if you mess up now,” she teased and slid her hands beneath his shirt.
Gage groaned and gripped her arms to stop her. He leaned down and nuzzled her lips gently. “I know, but I don't plan on messin' dis up. You're too important to me.”
Mia frowned when he stopped her from touching him. “Gage? Why don't you want me? I know you love me, but...if you tink I could be happy in a marriage wit' no intimacy, you're wrong.”
He looked at her like she was crazy. “What? Why would you tink a crazy ting like dat? A'course I want you, Mia.”
“Really? You sure could have fooled me. You wasted no time gettin' in da pants of every girl you dated in high school, but you won't even let me touch you.”
Gage took her face in his hands. “No, Princess, you've got it all wrong. I want you so much it hurts. But you deserve better, you deserve to be swept off your feet. All da girls I dated in high school, dat was fuckin'. Anyting wit' you will be makin' love.”
“Den make love to me, Gage. Please.” She studied his face. “Is it because of me sleepin' wit' Seth when I got drunk last year?”
“No. God, no. It has no'ting to do wit' dat.” He kissed her and tried to put what he was feeling into it.
“Den make love to me, Gage. Right here, right now. Make me forget da tings Cole did to me...make me forget all the shame I felt after I got drunk and slept wit' Seth. I only want to remember your hands on my body.”
Gage
Gage stared into Mia's eyes, searching them to be sure this was really what she wanted. “How can I say no to dat?” he groaned and this time when he kissed her he let his hands move over her body. He caressed her side before one hand moved up to cup her breast.
Mia arched into his hand and whimpered softly. “Please...please...please...”
Her soft pleas were his undoing. He growled against her lips and picked her up. He wanted to make love to her under the stars. After aching and longing for her for so long, he was half afraid he'd come too soon. He wanted to be buried inside her.
When he found a suitable spot he put her on her feet long enough to remove his jacket and spread it out to give her something to lie down on. Then he pulled her close and kissed her until they were both breathless. His hands moved down and gripped her dress before he inched it up her body. He moved back enough to watch as she was revealed to him. He felt like it was his birthday and he was opening a present. “Beautiful.” His voice was rough with desire once the dress was gone and he was gazing at her in the red lace bra and panties.
Mia's cheeks warmed at the compliment. “I want to see you.”
“What my Princess wants, she gets,” Gage growled. He undressed and then guided her to lie down. He kissed her hungrily and his hands caressed her skin. He'd wanted this for so long. He couldn't belief that, after all this time, she was finally his. His hands cupped her breasts and kneaded them until her nipples stiffened. With a wicked grin he lowered his head and took one stiff peak into his mouth, sucking it through the lace of her bra. The little mewling sounds she was making told him she liked what he was doing. He tugged the cups of her bra down until her breasts were free to his gaze then he resumed teasing them. He squeezed and tugged one nipple with his fingers while he suckled and gently bit the other until she cried out. “Dat's my girl,” he murmured. “I want to taste you, Mia.”
Mia gave him a puzzled look. She was too caught up in the way she was feeling to understand what he meant. “What?”
“I want to taste you.” His voice came out more a growl than anything before he kissed a path down her body. He gently urged her legs open and nestled between them. Her panties were still on so he moved then to the side so he could bury his tongue inside her wet heat.
Mia's fingers went to his hair and gripped it while her hips arched at the sudden sensation. She was soon writhing and mewling with need. “Gage...please...”
“I know what you need, Princess.” He moved up to suck on her clit while he eased a finger into her. She'd only had sex once, while she was drunk, and that was over a year ago. He wanted to be sure when he finally buried himself inside her he didn't hurt her. He worked a second finger into her and curled them to stroke her G-spot . He watched her face as he continued, and when her orgasm crashed over her, the look on her face was breath-taking. She was the most beautiful woman in the world.
Mia panted and shuddered in aftershocks. The orgasm was wonderful but it left her wanting more. “Gage, please...please make love to me.”
“Oh, I am, Princess. I am.” He snagged his pants and removed a condom from his wallet. He'd carried one ever since he'd started having sex. He quickly removed his boxers and then got Mia's panties off before he rolled the condom on and moved between her welcoming thighs. “I'll go slow at first, love. I don't want to hurt you,” he murmured. It took every ounce of control he had to not bury himself inside her once he had the tip in. She was so hot, so wet, and so damn tight. Still, he was gentle, he kept his thrusts shallow, until he was finally buried inside her. “Oh god, you feel so good baby.”
