“Well, here is my vow to you: I promise to love you and shake up your grouchy ass whenever you need it.”
He was grinning now. “I’m counting on it. I wasn’t in a good place when we met, but you came into my life and... you gave me no choice but to fall in love with you.”
His fingers went even lower, touching the necklace hanging around my neck slowly, seductively. My breath caught. He brought my hand to his mouth, placing a small kiss on my engagement ring before placing an open-mouthed one on the exposed skin under my necklace. I felt the touch of his lips and tongue reverberate through my entire body. Every cell was clamoring for his touch, his kisses. That pressure in my chest magnified.
When he straightened up, his gaze was even more intense than before, full of fire. Gripping my hips, he aligned our bodies. I was trying not to think about how close we were... almost touching, but not quite. Thank God, because I didn’t think I could feel him against me and not jump in his arms. Then he pressed me to him, and I was certain I was about to combust.
The second his mouth came down on mine that pressure in my chest spread like wildfire through every limb, every cell. I nipped at his lower lip. Winston groaned against my mouth. The sound fueled me on. He touched one thigh in a possessive and delicious grip, lifting it, pressing his hips between my thighs.
“Winston,” I whispered when he kissed down my neck. “We should go down. Everyone will know we’re missing.”
He groaned, lowering my leg. “I know. Worst idea I’ve ever had, thinking I could keep this short. I can never get enough of you. You think I would’ve learned my lesson by now.” Straightening up, he kissed the tip of my nose. “Let’s stay here for a few more minutes, just the two of us. I want to memorize everything about this moment. The way you’re shaking in my arms, the way you look at me.”
I wasn’t shaking only because he’d just touched and kissed me wickedly. It was just that... I hadn’t ever imagined that I could be loved this way.
I cleared my throat, attempting to push him away, because if we were this close, he was bound to get dangerous ideas again. And if he didn’t, I would for sure.
“Nah, I’m not letting you go.”
“Winston, you’re being bossy again.”
“Always.” He traced his thumb over my lips, pressing it lightly at one corner. “I might not be a grouch anymore, but I’ll always be bossy.”
That he was... and I loved it.
By the time we returned to the celebration, everyone was holding a glass of champagne. Catering had also brought out plates with canapes. We went straight to the corner where all the Bennetts and Winston’s parents stood, talking.
I’d already thought about a few sentences to announce the news, but my lips curled in a smile so big that my cheeks were hurting.
“Look, the ring.” Victoria pointed out, before everyone started congratulating us at the same time.
“We were wondering where you’d disappeared to,” Pippa said.
Blake winked. “Of course, half of us guessed what was going on since we heard you went to the creative department yesterday.”
Winston chuckled. “I was expecting that. Why do you think I only waited one day between buying the ring and proposing? Didn’t want to risk the other half finding out too.”
Blake whistled loudly. We all laughed as Winston and I also picked up champagne glasses.
“Here’s to fast learners,” Christopher said.
“And romantic proposals.” Victoria’s smile was as dreamy as I imagined mine was. Everyone huddled closer for a toast.
Over the sound of clinking glasses, Blake said, “Winston, welcome to the Bennett family.”
***