He’d been humbled, proud, and honored that he’d been her first. And he’d be her last. He parked the truck in the bank parking lot and was back out in ten minutes flat after making the transfer. The jewelry store was only a couple blocks from the bank, so he opted to walk. He spent over an hour at the store before making his purchase and smiled as he jogged back to the truck with the small box tucked in his jeans pocket.
He started home and decided on one final stop. Two hours later, he was driving down his lane. The snow was still deep, but it didn’t require four-wheel drive. Excitement stirred in him, and he tamped into submission the fear of possible rejection that threatened to take over. He had faith that everything would work out. After parking the truck and killing the engine, he grabbed the bags and papers and made his way to the front door.
When he entered the cabin, he didn’t see Rindy anywhere. The house was dark and quiet. “Rindy?”
She didn’t answer, and his heart sank. Had she ran away again? She couldn’t have on that knee of hers. Yet maybe he hadn’t given her enough credit. Rindy was smart and could find a way if she wanted to. He couldn’t rely on his scent because the whole house smelled like her: feminine, sweet, sinful.
Just as despair began to overtake his breaking heart, he cocked his head to the side and heard rustling water. She was in the bathtub. He took a deep breath, and, while whistling, he set everything up for when she got out. The urge to go and jump in the tub with her was nearly too much, but he wanted everything to be perfect. And that meant waiting to make love to her again until he talked to her.
After ten minutes of thinking about her wet and naked in the tub, he had almost said to hell with all his plans and joined her. Thankfully, seconds later, the door to her bedroom opened. She limped down the hall, and he met her as she got to the living room. He’d never seen a woman that could make a pair of sweatpants look sexy as hell.
“Brent. You’re back. I didn’t hear you come in.” She looked tired.
He scooped her up. “I’m quiet that way.” He nuzzled her hair. It was still damp and smelled like lavender. “You shouldn’t be walking on that knee.”
He placed her in a chair at the dining room table.
She looked around at the lit candles and plates. “Something smells good.
What’s all of this?”
“Something special for a special lady.” He pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed the smooth skin.
He popped the cork in the champagne, poured them each a glass, and put a piece of lasagna from the takeout containers on each of their plates, along with some golden-crusted garlic bread.
“This looks good.” She took the napkin lying beside her plate and laid it across her lap.
“It’s from my favorite Italian restaurant, Cristiano’s. They have the best Italian food I’ve ever eaten.” He cut a huge chunk from his lasagna and popped it in his mouth.
Rindy took a daintier, but healthy bite. “Mmmm. It is very good. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until now.” She picked up her champagne and took a sip. “This is good, too.”
He smiled at her. “I’m glad you like it. Now eat up because I have another surprise for you.”
“There’s more?” Her brows rose in a question.
“Yep.” He loved that she never expected anything from him. And yet, she deserved everything. He’d give her the world if he could.
When they finished eating, he scooped her up again and carried her to the couch, where he sat her down, careful not to bump her knee on anything.
He went to the entryway, retrieved the papers from the small table by the door, sat beside Rindy on the couch, and handed them to her. “These are for you.”
She looked down. “What are they?”
“I set up a trust called the Trenton Women’s Fund. It is for women who have been abused, who are on the run, or who have nowhere else to go. It provides assistance and shelter to women who are alone, afraid, and have no one to turn to, no one to help them. I thought it would be a great tribute to you and your mother and sister.”
A tear slid down her cheek—and another and another, until they fell steadily on the papers in her hands. She hiccupped. “You did this for me?”
He took the papers from her, set them on the coffee table, and pulled her to him. He hugged her and sighed at how right she felt pressed against him.
“Of course I did. Who else would I do it for?” He rubbed her back in slow, soothing circles. “Don’t you know by now I’d do anything to make you happy?”
“But where did all of that money come from?” She hiccupped again.
“Rindy, I’ve been around for awhile. I’ve got enough money to last several lifetimes. I wanted to do this for you.” He kissed the top of her head.
She pulled back and looked up at him. “It’s too much, Brent.”
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a jeweler’s box, and flipped open the top. She gasped. “Oh!” Twinkling up at her was the most gorgeous ring with a huge ruby in the shape of a heart surrounded by clear, sparkly diamonds.
He got on his knee in front of her. “This is for you, because no matter what happens in the future, I want you to know, you always have my heart. I love you, and I always will. I want to be with you for the rest of my life.” He smiled up at her. “And, nothing, my love, is too much.”
She covered her mouth with a trembling hand. “I don’t know what to say. It’s beautiful.”
“Not close to as beautiful as you. Say yes, love. Please, just say yes.” His eyes glowed as he stared up at her.
She nodded. “Yes. And, Brent, I love you, too.”
He laughed, pulled her to him, and hugged her hard. He took the ring from the box and slid it on her left ring finger. It was a perfect fit.
She looked down at the ring. “How did you know my size?”
“Don’t underestimate what I know about you, Rindy. I am very aware of everything about your body.” His lopsided grin made butterflies dance in her tummy.
He kissed her, and she began to melt. His tongue teased hers, and she tunneled her fingers through his hair and held him to her. For the first time in a long time, she was happy. Against all odds, she loved this man. And she had no doubt that when he said he’d always love her, he meant it.
When his arms came around her, the years of fear and loneliness washed away. She felt cherished, safe. And loved. She shivered at the thought of what might have happened had he never found her. She’d have spent the rest of her life running. She’d never given much thought about finding that special someone to share her dreams with because she had never allowed herself any. Now she could feel her soul calling to Brent. She could feel it healing, and it felt good.
“I want you so bad, Rindy.” He buried his nose against her neck, and his ragged breaths warmed her skin. “I want all of you.” He lifted his head and stared deep into her eyes. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
She nodded.
“Have you thought about it?”
She nodded again.
“You’re killing me here. What have you decided?”
She lifted her face to kiss him on the cheek and pressed her lips against his ear. “I’m sorry I ever called you a monster, Brent. You are nothing like the ones that tormented me for years. And I know now that my mother or sister would never expect me to walk away from the man that I love.” She kissed his neck. “I want to be with you always.”
His tensed muscles relaxed instantaneously under her, and a sigh escaped him. “Thank God.”
He picked her up, carried her to his bedroom, and sat her on the edge of his huge wooden bed. He kneeled in front of her and put his head in her lap.