“She’s fought for everything she’s ever had, and she’s fought to keep people out. She’s tough, I’ll give her that, but she won’t keep me out. I’m going to fight for you. For us. No matter how much you push, I won’t ever leave you. And if a big show is what you’re looking for, then here it is.”
My hands go to my mouth as he gets down on one knee in front of everyone and pulls a ring out of his pocket. What the fuck? How does he have a ring?
“I bought this after the first time I came to your office.”
There are a few catcalls from the audience, but I ignore them. I never thought I was good enough for Leo. I always second-guessed myself based on the fact that we kept our relationship a secret, but that was my request. I based it on the fact that he never took me around his family, but I always made an excuse when he begged me to. I based it on the fact that I thought he could do better than me, but that’s because I didn't think I deserved him. I had built these walls around us, not him. I’d staged this whole thing to see if he’d claim me in front of others. How hadn’t I seen this before? It seems I can see everything else so clearly except when it comes to myself.
“Samantha, I love you so damn much, and I want the world to know it. If you’re ready to give all this up, I’ll support that decision. And even if you’re not, I’ll support that, too. I don’t give a damn about anything but having you in my life for eternity.”
He opens the box, showing me the ring. It’s a princess-cut black diamond solitaire on a platinum band. It’s huge and gorgeous, and I’m overwhelmed.
I deserve Leo. A man who has been honest with his feelings from day one. A man who has put my needs before his own. A man who has stood by my side when I didn’t think I needed him. But I did need him. I do need him. I’m tired of pushing him away when all I’ve wanted to do was let him love me.
“Goddamn it, if you don’t marry me, I’m going to take you to bed and fuck you for days without an orgasm until you say yes.”
The crowd erupts into whistles and laughter, but I ignore them as I look into those forest-green pools of love and nod my head.
“I love you, Leo. Yes.”
He gets off one knee, scooping me up in his arms, and the audience goes wild. Cheers and claps echo through the auction house as Leo carries me off the stage and out of the building.
It’s a show the likes of which I’ve never seen, and it’s so over the top I’m shocked it was real. I don’t think I’ll be able to stop smiling for the rest of my life.
When we get outside, his town car is waiting, and he slips us into the back. He’s on me the second the door shuts, taking my mouth in a heated kiss.
“Tell me that just happened. Tell me you said yes. Tell me you’re going to be my wife. Tell me you love me.”
I laugh at his words, hearing the excitement in his voice. “Yes, that was real. Yes, I’m going to marry you. Yes, I love you.”
His lips move down my neck, and I moan at the sensation. God, he knows my sweet spots, I think as he places a few hungry kisses there before pulling back.
“Why did you do it, sweetheart?”
He cups my face, making me look at him. I feel something I haven't felt in a long time. Uncertainty.
“I guess I just wanted to see if you’d pick me. Claim me in front of everyone.” I see the understanding and relaxation fill his eyes, but I cut him off before he can say anything.
“It wasn't until I was up there and I saw you charging towards that stage that I knew it was stupid. Of course you’d claim me. I just…my head is everywhere, and I’ve never felt like this. No one has ever loved me, Leo, and it scares the fucking shit out of me. I’m sorry I have no idea what I’m doing.”
Leaning in, he kisses me hard. I can feel so much in his kiss. What he feels for me.
“I’ll always fight for you. No matter how much you push or things start to scare you, I’ll come for you. Always. I felt like I was made for you. You were dealt a shitty life that left its scars on you, and I was brought to you that night to help put you back together again. To show you that you are worthy of love. And I’m going to pour it all over you for the rest of our lives. I’ll make it so you never have to question it.”
“I love you so much.” The words come so easily now. Words I’ve never said to another person in my whole life.
“I love you, too, sweetheart.”
“There’s one more thing, though.”
He stops kissing me and looks into my eyes, waiting.
“I’m pregnant.”
For a second I panic, thinking that this might be too much. We never talked about marriage and babies, and I wonder if maybe this isn’t part of his plan.
Suddenly his eyes are filled with unshed tears as he buries his face in my neck. I can’t see him, but he wraps his arms around me, just holding me close to him.
“Leo, I know we didn’t plan on it. I’m scared, too. I—”