I simply shrugged, not sure how to respond. I was new to all this, to everything.
“I’ll get something printed up and ready for you to look over in a day or two. In the meantime, I have a number of books you can look through that I’ll sit out on my desk for you. That should certainly help to give you an idea of things that I like,” he said after a moment.
Somehow, once again, his explanation and plan helped to settle my nerves. With a deep breath in, I prepared myself to accept the new me, whomever I was destined to become.
“There will be trial and error, many times. I know a lot of the things in the books will be hard to grasp, and I’ll answer anything that you have concerns about. Anything at all. We’ll work together to figure out everything,” he paused for a moment, digging into his pocket.
“Now, Ms. Ray,” he went on, holding out a square dark blue velvet box. “Since we are technically already engaged, I thought it was best if I properly asked you to marry me. So, Avidya Ray, will you do the honor of becoming my wife?”
Slowly, he let go of both of my hands and opened the box. Inside, nestled into the silver cushion was the most beautiful ring that I had ever seen. One round three karat diamond with five smaller diamonds around the edge of the white gold band sat shining from the sun.
“Yes,” I stuttered in awe. I wasn’t sure what to say, what to think. It was . . . . not what I expected.
With a warm, thrilled and capturing smile, Zachariah took the ring out of the box before gently taking hold of my hand to slid the ring onto my finger where it fit perfectly.
I watched as the sun glistened off the diamonds, nearly blinding me in the process.
“Do you like it?” Zachariah asked once the ring was in place.
“I love it,” I gushed, meeting his eyes, a smile on my face. I really did like it. “I didn’t think it'd be so simple.”
“I know you don’t like anything fancy,” he said, seeming pleased that he picked out the right ring for me. “You are fairly easy to shop for, my soon to be wife.”
“Thank you,” I said right before I crashed my lips to his, taking him by surprise.
After a moment of pause, his hands went to around me, pulling me into him as I took charge of the kiss. My stomach filled with butterflies at the notion as my tongue slipped into his, battling against his.
He moaned deep in the back of his throat as he slowly ran his hands up and down my back, causing goosebumps in their wake.
A moment later, he pulled back with a look of happy surprise, letting his forehead rest against mine as we caught our breaths.
“You are going to be the death of me, Avidya,” he whispered out.
“But a good way to go, right?” I teased.
“Definitely,” he laughed. Pulling back, he stood before helping me to stand. “I have a guest that will be stopping by in a bit. I’m not sure if he’ll be staying for dinner or not. That will be up to how he behaves around you.”
“Okay,” I said, confused. He hardly ever brought anyone here. Only family and Jonas so far were even allowed near this place.
“Jonas will be staying,” he said, swiping his thumb against my cheek. He seemed to not be able to stop touching me when he was near, not that I minded. “Just please keep an opened mind, okay?”
“I’ll try,” I answered right before his lips met mine in a sweet, innocent kiss once more.
