Page 114 of My Favorite Kidnapper

“I’m salmon fond of her. Not expensive-gift fond. That is reserved just for you.”

I eyed the box with worry. “How expensive?”

He tapped the box closer. “Wildly. Now, open it.”

I took the box, looking at it in my hand. Tracing the leather, admiring the gilt on the top. The tiny little latch. Even the outside was beautiful. I couldn’t imagine the inside. I looked up, meeting his eyes.

“Thank you,” I breathed. “Whatever this is, I love it. I love you.”

His golden gaze gleamed, and he leaned close, grasping the back of my neck and pulling me to his mouth. He kissed me long and slow. “My God, I love you, Brianna, my soon-to-be wife.”

“Why?”

“Because most women would open the box. Maybe stare at the inside and decide it was all right. Or not. They wouldn’t love it because of the gesture.”

“Oh.”

He kissed me again. “Don’t ever change, Little Bee.”

I pushed him away, winking. “Stop. I may have to reassess once I see what is in here.”

He laughed loudly. “Okay, then. Open away.”

My breath caught at the sight of the ring nestled in the black velvet. Yellow and white gemstones shimmered and glistened in the sun. I pulled it from the mooring, turning it around in the light. Dante leaned forward, taking it from my hand. “Yellow and white diamonds,” he explained. “I thought you would like them together. Set in a band with no beginning and no end. Just like us. One second, there was me. Then suddenly, you were there, and it was us.” He slid the ring on my finger. “And soon, the whole world will know you are mine.”

“It’s so beautiful,” I managed to choke out. “I’ve never seen another one like it.”

“Each one is an emerald cut. Unique. Like you. But you can wear it even when you’re baking. I don’t want you to take it off.”

He slid to one knee in front of me. “I didn’t ask you, Bee. I told you that you were marrying me. But I want you to know I did that because I can’t be without you. I need you more than I have ever needed anything in my life. So, marry me, please. Be beside me. I will love and protect you with everything in me. Always.”

“Yes,” I responded, throwing my arms around his neck and launching myself on him. He caught me, falling back, holding me tight and kissing me.

“Can I buy you a ring?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“And you’ll wear it?”

“I will happily mark myself as taken. Yes.”

“Can we go shopping today?”

“After you bake a cake.”

“Then let’s go!”

* * *

I had never dreamed of my wedding when I was a little girl. Never planned the day or even expected to get married. But somehow, Dante created a day filled with every dream I’d never known I had.

The large sunroom was filled with flowers. Candlelight flickered. It was a small gathering. Dante’s family and a few friends, including Richard and his daughter. The sun was setting as I walked toward him, wearing a dress I had picked out. Amanda and Carolina had taken me shopping, and when I saw this dress, I was in love. In the softest of yellows with an overlay of lace, it was beautiful, and I knew Dante would go crazy over it. I adored the feminine, flirty look, and when I slipped it on, it fit perfectly. Amanda insisted on having my hair and makeup done, and I was shocked at the pretty woman who looked at me in the reflection in the mirror. Small pearls and glittering beads were woven into my hair that was caught in a loose chignon at the base of my neck. I wore a pair of earrings Dante had given me that morning, and the yellow diamonds glinted in my ears and on my hand. He was tall, stern, and sexy in his tuxedo. Until he saw me. Then he smiled, those dimples I saw so rarely standing out. Or dipping in, actually. He was so handsome, he took my breath away.

He stepped forward, meeting me partway, holding my hand and bringing me with him to the altar. Like a guiding hero, making sure I was where I needed to be.

The stuff of dreams.

Until the vows. They started off well enough. We exchanged traditional vows, then we had wanted to add something personal, and I went first.