Her damp ringlets framed her light, olive skin. Her smile widened turning her eyes into sparkling slits. Teardrops danced on her lashes.
Weaving her slender fingers between his, she lowered herself to kneel with him. “I love you, Creed. No amount of time or distance is ever going to change that. My heart belongs to you.”
“Are you sure?” Creed’s beamed—his smile flashing adorably.
“Absolutely,” Meg giggled softly.
Creed reached up around the back of his neck and neatly unfastened the clasp of the chain he’d worn every day since he last saw her.
Meg watched him spill the small platinum ring off the chain and into his wide palm.
“Do you remember the inscription?” he asked carefully.
“‘My dream came true,’” she quoted watching the ocean-blue of his eyes darken with happy emotion.
His hand was shaking as he took the small band between his thumb and forefinger.
“We shared a promise once. I’ve been wearing this hoping that someday we could pick up where we left—”
“Creed, love. May I have my ring?” Meg watched Creed’s face light up.
“Oh, yes!” He gushed, a little too loudly. They were laughing as quietly as they could manage in their joy. Creed managed to slip the simple band onto the fourth finger of her left hand.
Meg flung her arms around his neck so overwhelmed with love.
His heart squeezed with joy in his chest as he met her half way to seal their promise with soft kiss. Creed started to pull away but Meg held on, deepening their kiss.
“Meg—” he managed to say against her lips.
“Hmm?” She didn’t stop her playful pursuit.
“Meggie,” Creed’s voice took on a gentle but stern tone.
“No one’s coming. The house is quiet and the only soldiers awake are in the barn and outside guarding the perimeter—well, okay. Mom’s still awake in her room.” She slumped her shoulders dramatically.
Creed grinned and shook his head. “Come here, you,” he picked her up easily, sat her against the wall and moved to sit beside her.
Meg huffed in frustration.
65 Promises
Creed turned to face her. He reached up and gently smoothed her soft, damp curls away from her furrowed brow. Unable to resist, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. Everything about her—her eyes, her scent, the playful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, the sound of her heart pounding—everything drew him in.
“I’m so in love with you,” he whispered reverently.
Meg felt his words just as much as she heard them. Her empath connection with him was pulsing with intensity, threatening to overwhelm her.
Instantly, she was on her knees holding his face in her hands. She brushed her lips across his and whispered, “Kiss me? Please?”
Creed sucked in his breath at her passionate outburst.
“Meggie, you have to help me here,” his voice was strained.
Meg squirmed at his lack of response.
He swore under his breath, but gently put his hands on her shoulders so he could look her in the eyes.
“I will live my life working to give you everything you want. You have to know that, but right now, one of us has to be the level-headed one.”
She didn’t need to search his eyes to know he meant every word he said. She tipped her head sensing there was more.
“It’s just—” He reached down to take her hands in his. “Meggie, I love you enough to wait until our wedding night.”
He couldn’t help but chuckle at the adorable little “oh” of surprise on her lips. “That is, if you’ll marry me?”
He waited anxiously for a response.
Meg’s face burst into a dazzling smile. “Of course, I’ll marry you!” squirmed with excitement.
Creed wanted to whoop and holler with joy, but leaned over and hugged his dark eyed angel instead, whispering words of gratitude and love into her ear so as not to wake the family.
Five minutes past, and the happy couple was once again cuddled together, leaning back against the wall, lost in thought.
“I’ll make you a deal.” Creed began, rubbing the ring on her finger. “Why don’t we call this an engagement ring and set a date—”
“—for December. I’ve always thought a winter wedding would be beautiful!” Meg bounced excitedly.
“Winter is fine,” Creed grinned before adding, “next winter.”
“That’s more than a year away!” Meg tried to lower her voice mid-sentence, but wound up chewing her lip instead.
“I know. I want you to have celebrated your eighteenth birthday first.”
She huffed and crossed her arms.
“Please Meggie. We need to show respect to your family, and I need time to prepare.”
Meg sighed and leaned her head back against his strong shoulder. He watched her struggle with accepting the long engagement but knew by the way her body loosened up that she had come to accept his terms.
“All right,” she finally said. “I’m not the most patient person in the world, but I understand your reasoning.”