Page 201 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

Caleb starts toward the hallway with him. “His definition of ominous is unreliable.”

Lucian gives him a cool look.

Then they both disappear, leaving me alone for maybe thirty seconds.

Long enough for me to notice my cardigan still tossed over the chair where I left it. One of my books on the side table. The ridiculous mug I use every morning beside the coffee machine.

Nothing has changed.

And yet everything has.

Footsteps sound, and when I turn, my men are standing together, and Lucian is holding a familiar black velvet box.

My heart flip-flops.

Together, they cross the room and stop just steps in front of me.

“We didn’t bring these to your office.”

I look at each of them.

“Because we were afraid you wouldn’t want them.”

His simple admission nearly breaks me all over again.

Then Lucian flips open the box.

The engagement ring catches the light first, the emerald-cut diamond flanked by deep sapphires. Beside it are the two wedding bands.

My rings.

Lucian studies them for a moment. Then he looks at me earnestly.

“When I put the engagement ring on your finger, I gave you my choice.”

My throat tightens.

“I will never do anything like that to you again.”

And Lucian Hawthorne lowers himself onto one knee.

I stop breathing.

This is a man who does not kneel.

He commands rooms merely by entering them. He negotiates with governments, billionaires, criminals, and anyone else unfortunate enough to stand between him and something he wants.

Yet he is kneeling in front of me.

Waiting.

The symbolism is so enormous that I don’t trust myself to speak.

He removes the engagement ring from the velvet.

“Sophie Langford.”

His voice is steady, but his eyes are not.