But I can’t tell him that. Because I’m trying to be strong and think with my head and not my heart or libido.
I open my eyes, and I’m met with sunlight peeking through the windows. I’m not sure what time it is, but we most likely slept in. My gaze ascends to look at Kane, only before I make it there, I’m distracted by the black box resting on his torso, right next to my face.
“What’s this?” I ask in confusion.
“Open it.”
Since I can’t do that while lying with my face smashed against his abs, I take the box in my hand and sit up. It’s the size of a ring box, but that doesn’t make sense because I already have a ring …
I pop the lid open and gasp when I take in the gorgeous engagement ring. It’s a simple platinum band with a princess cut diamond in the center. It’s flawless and beautiful and …
“When I saw it at the store, it looked like something you’d like,” Kane says. “And then I asked the jeweler about it, and he said it’s a princess cut diamond.”
A boyish grin spreads across his face, and butterflies swarm my chest.
“Maybe it’s cheesy as fuck, but I didn’t even know princess cut diamonds existed, and I figured it had to be a sign.”
“You bought me a new ring?” I whisper. “I left you, ran to Russia, and you bought me a second engagement ring?”
“Well, when you put it like that …” He chuckles. “I returned the other rings. You were right. I’d picked out the biggest ring to prove a point. But with this one, I hope the point I’m proving is that I love you.”
I suck in a harsh breath. This isn’t the first time he’s told me he loves me, but every time I hear it, my heart pounds in my chest.
“You don’t have to put it on,” he says. “I meant what I said—it’s your choice.” He reaches into the nightstand and pulls out a manila folder. “I’ve already signed the divorce papers, so if you want a divorce, there’s nothing to stop you.”
He hands me the folder, but instead of taking it, I stare at it like it might attack me.
“My hope is that you’ll rip them up and put on the engagement ring so I can marry you for real this time.”
Just as he finishes his sentence, a horrible wave of morning sickness hits me. I hightail it to the bathroom and barely make it to the toilet before I throw up.
“Jesus,” he says from behind me. “I know you’re upset with me, but I didn’t think the idea of marrying me would cause you to get sick.”
My head pops up from the toilet bowl. “You want to get married again?”
“How else will I give you the wedding of your dreams … at the beach, with only family and friends?”
Oh fuck. This man.
“You’re not playing fair,” I whisper, my eyes stinging with emotion.
I stand and flush the toilet, and Kane steps toward me, cupping the side of my face.
“That’s where you’re wrong,” he says. “I’m not playing at all. I love you, and I want to spend my life with you, and until you tell me otherwise, I’m going to spend every day showing you as much.”
He lets go of me, and I instantly miss his touch.
“I need to get ready. I have to go into the office and deal with this accounting shit. Oh!” His eyes meet mine. “Can you send me the date and time of your doctor’s appointment? I need to put it in the calendar so Jack can make sure I don’t have anything scheduled that day.”
“You’re going with me?” I ask. “It’s just to confirm the pregnancy. I don’t even know if we’ll get to see the baby.”
“Bri,” he drawls, “there’s nowhere I’d rather be than with you atyour appointment. And even if you decide that I’m not the man for you, I’m going to be the best father I can be. I was close with my father, but because of the circumstances, he hid us away from the world so that we weren’t seen as his dirty little secret. He couldn’t attend any of our sporting events or school functions. That’s not going to be our child. I’m going to be active in their life, even if it means co-parenting with you.”
He pulls off his shirt over his head, and I drink in his defined chest and abs like I’m severely dehydrated.
“I’d ask if you wanted to shower with me”—he smirks like the cocky bastard he is—“but I know that would be pushing it. So, I’ll shower, and then you can get ready for your day.”
He leans in and kisses my cheek, and it takes everything in me not to beg him to take me right here and now in the bathroom.
