A mischievous gleam darkens her eyes as she teases, “Well, damn, and here I had high hopes.”

My eyebrow pops up. “Oh, yeah?”

Mila moves on my lap until she’s straddling me, and then she wraps her arms around my neck. Her eyes turn serious, and for a moment, they drop to my chest before she brings them back up. “There’s something I want to talk about.”

I nod, focusing all my attention on her.

Her gaze darts away again, then she takes a deep breath. “That night.” She exhales. “Just before you found me, I thought this was not how my first time was supposed to be.” Her eyes lock on mine. “I wanted to give my virginity to you.” The corner of her mouth lifts slightly. “And then you were there, saving me.”

That fucking fucker. I seriously would have killed him if he had raped her.

I lock my jaw to keep quiet and to give Mila all the time she needs to talk. I wasn’t aware she’s a virgin, or I would’ve been more careful with her.

“Since then, I’ve had this constant fear that someone would take it from me.” Frustration clouds her features. “I hope I’m making sense.” She takes a moment to collect her thoughts, then continues, “I want you to be my first and only, Jase.”

When I don’t respond quick enough, she pulls the cutest awkward face and mumbles, “Now’s a good time to say something.”

Pulling her closer to me, I press my forehead against her. “I’d be honored, Mila.” I hug her tightly, and unable to keep the words in, I say, “Fuck, I’m so glad I got to you in time.” I pull back and, framing her face, I press a hard kiss to her lips. “So fucking glad.”

My gaze burns into hers. “Can I make love to you tonight?”MILAI nod, feeling much better after getting that off my chest.

Then anticipation starts to flutter through my body, setting it alight with a buzz of a million wings.

Jase taps my hips. “Get up.”

Really? Right now?

My stomach tightens into a knot as I climb off his lap.

Jase takes my hand and leads me back inside. “I first have another surprise for you.”

I let out the breath I was holding. I’m ready to have sex with him, but it doesn’t mean I’m not nervous.

Jase leads me up to the bedroom and then digs a small box out of his bag. His eyes lock on mine, and he takes a couple of breaths.

And then he opens it, and my jaw hits the floor as I stare at the emerald ring.

Oh. My. God.

My eyes dart back to his.

“This is a promise ring,” he begins to say. “It’s a promise that I am yours, and you’re mine. One day I’ll replace it with an engagement ring, and then a wedding ring. But until then, this is my promise that I’m committed to you, Mila. There will only ever be you.”

He removes the ring, and taking hold of my right hand, he slips it onto the ring finger.

I feel all emotional as I turn my eyes back up to his, and I admit, “I’m actually speechless right now.”

He points to the bag he packed for me. “There’s a bathing suit in there. Get dressed while I wash the body paint off.”

“Wait.” I grab hold of his arm and lift myself on my tiptoes. I kiss him softly, then say, “I always knew it would be mind-blowing to date you. I just never imagined how much. Thank you for returning my love. You made the only dream I ever had come true.”

A sexy grin forms on his face. “Yeah, wait until I get you into that hot tub.”

I let out a chuckle, and as Jase heads into the bathroom, I go pick up the bag. Zipping it open, I frown when I don’t recognize any of the clothes. I pull out sweatpants and t-shirts, then my eyebrows shoot up. “Ahh… Jase?”

“Yeah?” he answers from the other room.

“Lingerie?”

I hear him chuckle, and he comes out of the bathroom, dressed in only the suit pants. My eyes drop to the Superman body paint on his chest. I’m so glad he hasn’t washed it off yet. “Can I borrow your phone?”

Jase frowns, but he pulls the device out of his pocket and hands it to me. Bringing up the camera, I take a couple of photos of him. “I wanted a picture before you wash it off.”

I drop his phone on the bed then point at the bag. “What’s all this?”

A smirk tugs at his lips as he picks up a black sheer baby doll dress. “This is my gift to myself.”

“Yeah, and here I thought you had no expectations,” I tease him.

“But I sure as fuck was hoping,” he chuckles as he goes to clean up.

I unpack the rest of the bag out of pure curiosity. Then I reach the bathing suit, and my mouth drops open again.


Tags: Michelle Heard The Heirs Romance