As we pulled up at the family compound, Sarah eyed me curiously. “I still don’t understand why you wanted to spend the night here.”
“I thought it might be nice to g-get out of the city for the night.”
She stared at me wide-eyed. “It’s our anniversary, isn’t?”
“What?”
“Our six month anniversary.”
“I have no idea.”
“Are you sure?”
“Do you t-think I’d lie about not knowing and fear your wrath?”
She laughed. “I don’t know either. I just thought you might be bringing me out here as an anniversary surprise.”
“Sadly, I’m not t-that romantic.”
“It’s okay.”
When she started to open the door, I said, “Since I forget our potential anniversary, let me get the door for you.”
“Okay.”
As she started to get out, I leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Run, prey.”
Her head jerked back to stare wide-eyed at me. “What did you say?”
“I told you to run.”
She gasped. “Like a hunt.”
“You’re asking t-too many questions,” I snarled like the Beast would.
Heat and anticipation flashed in her eyes. “Yes, sir.”
After sprinting past me, she ran across the yard to the woods. I didn’t have to worry about finding her since I’d cordoned off the area just like they did at the hunts. I walked slowly, letting her get ahead of me. I wanted to give her time to get to the true surprise.
When I caught up to her, Sarah stood stock-still in the clearing. Rose petals adorned the path and formed a circular heart. Candles burned in votives around the heart.
At the sound of my feet crunching along the path, she whirled around. “What is this?”
“Stand in the heart,” I commanded.
Without an argument, Sarah stepped over the flickering votives to stand on the rose petals. When I joined her, she remained staring wide-eyed at me. But when I sank to my knees before her, she gasped as her hands flew over her mouth.
“Sarah Grace Whitfield, will you marry me?”
“Oh my God. Yes, yes, yes!”
With a grin, I took her hand in mine. After slipping the diamond on her hand, I kissed it on her finger. Then I rose off my knees to kiss her passionately.
When I pulled away, Sarah was beaming. “I can’t believe you planned this.”
“I planned more than just a proposal.”
“You did?”
