Dez emerged from the closet in slacks and a crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled to his forearms. He looked like he'd stepped out of a magazine. Effortlessly handsome, powerful, dangerous in the most delicious way. His eyes widened when he saw me.
"Fuck," he breathed. "Angelina, you're?—"
"Is it okay?"
"Okay?" He crossed to me, his hands settling on my waist. "You're stunning. Absolutely fucking stunning."
He kissed me then, slow and deep, and I melted into him. When he pulled back, I saw the promise of something more. Plus, his erection was a giveaway to what he wanted to do instead of eat. Or maybe he did want to eat… I pressed my thighs together, considering the way he liked to indulge in that particular act.
"Later," he murmured. "After dinner. For now, let's eat."
The dining table had been reset, candlelight casting everything in warm, romantic shadows. Dez pulled out my chair, and I sat, my stomach rumbling as he uncovered the dishes.
Garlic butter lobster, the shells already cracked open, the meat glistening and perfect. Creamy mashed potatoes with what looked like truffle oil. Asparagus roasted to perfection, topped with parmesan. And for dessert, mango sorbet in delicate crystal bowls.
"You’re going to make me gain so much weight," I mumbled, though I was already reaching for my fork.
Dez chuckled. “I’ll help you work it off." He winked, then Dez sat across from me, pouring wine, a crisp white that probably cost more than my rent. "I want you to understand something, Angelina. This isn't about convincing you to say yes. This is about showing you what saying yes would look like."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean this is how I want to treat you. Every day. Not with grand gestures necessarily, but with care. With attention. With the kind of respect and cherishing you deserve." He met my eyes. "I will spend every day trying to make you happy. Trying to give you what you need. Trying to be worthy of the trust you're putting in me."
My throat tightened. "Same for me… Thank you, Dez. I really appreciate it.” I stopped myself from saying that he didn’t haveto do this. Actually, I deserved it, and so did he. In a relationship, I’m all in. He’d be just as spoiled as I would be. Setting the standard and keeping it
"Eat first," he said gently. "We'll talk after."
The food was incredible. The lobster practically melted on my tongue, the mashed potatoes were silky and rich, the asparagus added just the right crunch and flavor to balance everything out.
We talked while we ate about his family, about my company, about the contract terms we'd discussed. Easy conversation that flowed naturally, punctuated by laughter and comfortable silences.
The mango sorbet was the perfect ending. It was light and refreshing, sweet without being overwhelming. When we finished, Dez stood and held out his hand.
"Come with me."
My heart started racing. "Where?"
"You'll see."
He led me back to the living room, to where the rose petals still traced their path across the floor.
The candles were lit again, creating a warm, flickering glow as evening light faded outside the windows. Dez led me to the center of the rose petals, then released my hand. And dropped to one knee.
My breath stopped.
"Angelina Castellano," he began, his voice steady but his eyes showing vulnerability I'd never seen before. "I walked into that ballroom looking for a solution to a problem. A wife to satisfy my father's ultimatum. Someone convenient who could play the part."
He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket.
"What I found was you. And you're not convenient. You're complicated and strong and beautiful. You challenge me in waysI didn't know I needed. You asked me last night to be open to love if it happens, and I've spent the last twelve hours thinking about that. About what it means. About what I want."
He opened the box.
Inside was the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen. A round diamond that caught the candlelight, set in platinum with smaller diamonds along the band. It was classic, beautiful, and very much me. Perfect.
"I don't know what love looks like, the romantic kind," Dez said, his gray eyes locked on mine. "But I want to try. I want to wake up next to you every morning. I want to see you turn your mother's legacy into something completely yours. I want to watch you grow round with our children. I want to protect you and cherish you and learn every single thing that makes you smile."
Tears were streaming down my face now.
