The slapping sound of skin and the smell of carnal lust and sweat are driving me insane, like an addictive drug. Derik’s mouth nestles and nibbles the crook of my neck as his thrusts grow heavier. I lock my legs around his waist for support, my back arched to meet the strokes of his cock inside me.

He grunts as I moan, and we finally come.

He seals my mouth with a deep kiss one more time before collapsing his weight onto the space next to me, panting heavily. His expression is soft as he pulls me into his arms, pushing my damp and disheveled hair from my forehead.

Derik holds me in his embrace for a few minutes until our breathing relaxes and my eyes grow heavy.

“Take a shower. I’ll change your sheets,” he whispers softly.

His soft kisses snap me awake.

Nodding obediently, I get up and sluggishly meander across the room, but my attention refocuses when I step on a bulging object. I look down to find it underneath the man’s coat that fell on the floor when he was getting undressed. I pick it up suspiciously and find a black velvet box inside the pocket.

My heart skips a beat when I crack it open, exposing a ring. It is a well-crafted round pink diamond that’s seated between two smaller princess-cut clear ones on a platinum band that looks antique.

There is an engraved initial under it, too!

Without a doubt, this is an heirloom.

“Derik…” I call out. The man is cluelessly opening cabinets searching for extra sheets. “Were you planning to propose at the banquet tonight?”

I watch his back freeze in the middle of closing the drawers at the bottom of my wardrobe. Stifling a laugh, I click my tongue and stomp on the carpeted floor.

“Oh my! That would have been such a sight to see! Mr. Lewis, down on one

knee!”

He turns around, wearing his signature stern look, illuminated by the dim wall sconces.

“Shut up.”

He scratches the back of his head awkwardly as he avoids my gaze.

I cackle, finding his expression quite cute. I wiggle my brows, stepping closer to him. Then, I point my finger at his bare chest and look into his eyes intently.

“It’s alright. I’ll give you the right to own me for life,” I tease.

Pivoting, he cocks a brow and snatches the ring from my hands. Swiftly, he slips it onto my ring finger, sending a flood of emotions through me. I’m shocked and excited at the same time. All this time, I never doubted his feelings for me. But from time to time, I’ve questioned where it might take us in the future…if such a thing could exist for us.

He snorts.

“Not enough.”

I wince and stick out my lower lip.

“How demanding.”

“More.”

“Now and forever?”

“More.”

This time, I throw up a scowl, feeling annoyed. Why does nothing seem to be enough for this man?!

“Aren’t you supposed to be the one giving the talk, here?”

He sighs and his expression softens as his mouth curls into a grin. His gray eyes glimmer with amusement as he pinches the tip of my nose. Then, he holds my shoulders, gazing at me admiringly. The affection in his eyes is blatantly evident.

He kisses my forehead, easing my crumpled face.

“I swear to protect you…” he whispers.

“To cherish you…”

His mouth grazes my nose.

“And to love you with all of my heart.”

He kisses each of my cheeks.

“Body and soul… for all eternity.”

His words are simple, but like a song to my ears, calming the storm brewing in my heart. My eyes well with tears when his mouth finally lands on mine. My vision is blurry as I respond to his tender gesture. I have never felt this happy in my whole life!

“Marry me, Natalie Quinn,” he mumbles hoarsely against my lips.

I giggle.

“Is that an order?”

He shakes his head, and then smirks playfully.

“Nope. But you can’t say no either. This engagement is long overdue. After all, our grandfathers arranged it while you were still an infant, hmm?”

“You’re joking,” I shriek, pulling away.

Mouth agape, I look at him in disbelief with my palms against my cheeks.

Blinking frantically, I watch him burst into laughter, his muscles relaxed and his face jubilant.

“You heard that right. I’m just claiming my bride.”

“Seriously?”

He hums, pulling me back into his arms.

“In that case, take me away by all means, mister!”