“I believe I owed my omega something shiny.”
Snorting, my cheeks pushed against my eyes.
“I know you wanted more time, mo chroí. And in a perfect world, I would have given it to you. But I never needed it. I have known from the moment that I saw you. I’m sorry it’s happening like this. Not because I don’t want it, but because I know you are conflicted.”
I sucked in my bottom lip, not allowing the brimming tears to fall. Too much emotion choked me, making it hard to breathe. He popped open the lid of the box. Inside a stunning ring glimmered, nestled in blue silk.
A shiny sapphire sat between two golden hands with a diamond-encrusted crown above it. It was gorgeous without being gaudy.
Without a word, he plucked the ring from the silk, slipping it onto my left finger with the heart pointing out.
“It’s a Claddagh ring. Traditional in my family. The heart is for love. The crown for loyalty, and the hands for friendship. With the heart pointed out on your left hand, it signifies an engagement. When married, it will point inward.”
I nodded along, my eyes glued to the golden band on my finger. The weight eased my skittering pulse for some reason. I expected when he put it on that I would panic.
But the feeling never came.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
“It pales in comparison to you.”
At that moment, I believed him. Believed that he cared for me. That he thought me more beautiful than a precious stone.
Maybe this was fate.
My fingers curled around his forearm, tracing the Gaelic words I had once asked him about.
Tá sé scríofa.
It is fated.
Maybe fate wasn’t a bad thing.
Before I could overthink it, I closed the space between us, fusing my mouth to his. His lips quirked as one of his hands slid to thesmall of my back while the other burrowed in my hair at my nape.
Confident lips melded with mine, slowly coaxing them open. He didn’t take more, keeping it light and gentle before pulling away and kissing the corner of my mouth.
“This doesn’t mean I forgive you,” I murmured against his lips.
“I know,” he said, brushing his hands over my ribs. “I will find ways to make it up to you. Unfortunately, I have to leave. Liam and I have a meeting, and I won’t be home until late.”
An unfamiliar feeling bubbled up and my breaths came out fast and uneven. Stinging cold made my fingers go numb as I searched his face for any signs of uncertainty. I struggled to voice the words out loud, but I was worried.
“Shhh, omega,” he soothed, holding my face. “I have a scheduled meeting with Dimitri Romanov to discuss contracts. Nothing more.”
I nodded, nuzzling into him and breathing in his intoxicating scent. Letting my omega lead, I rubbed my face against his, marking him with my scent. If he was going to be out with others, I wanted everyone to know he wasmine.
Something close to a groan rumbled in his chest, and I grinned. Pleased with his reaction. He offered me the same, blending his scent with mine on my skin. After a long, quiet pause, he spoke.
“Aileen is down in the lounge, working on putting things together for Saturday. Why don’t you sit with her? Pick out your dress.”
The change of subject made me stiffen. Logically, I knew we were getting married on Saturday by a priest, but it was only now that I realized he intended for it to be a real wedding. One with a dress and flowers and all that other nonsense I never thought about.
Except for one thing.
Whenever I pictured my wedding, there was one constant that was always present.
“My parents. My mom. Can she come?”
