“I never intended to have sex with her tonight. But the need for her body overtook me. That need had been slowly wearing me down, and I had no resilience left. I selfishly wanted to experience it, just one time before I never had the chance again. When she said she needed me the same way, utter desire trumped any inhibitions I had left.” He glanced up at me. “Being inside of Wren was bar none the best thing I’ve ever felt. Knowing it was also goodbye made it bittersweet. And not being able to tell her I loved her? That had to be the worst feeling of all.”
I placed my hand on my chest. “Wow.”
Dax cleared his throat. “As painful as letting her go is, I’ll always be grateful for what my time with her taught me about myself. I now know that I have the capacity to love someone in a way I didn’t think possible. I now understand that love is pure, organic, and not something you can control. It has nothing to do with a place, or life circumstances, compatibility, or whether you think someone is right for you. Love just is. And there is nothing more powerful. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing, as long as you’re with that person. I’m feeling the emptiness of her being gone so strongly right now. The pain is almost unbearable. But I have to be strong for Rafe. I have to get over her. And I have to stop writing in this journal for a while. Because when I open these pages, the only thing I want to write about is her. She was the one. And now she’s gone. The rest is unwritten.”
His eyes lifted to meet mine.
Wiping my tears, I whispered, “And to think I didn’t think you loved me.”
He closed the book. “I wasn’t planning on doing this tonight. I had a plan… I was going to do it in a couple of months at Christmas. You once told me you hated Christmas because of that old boyfriend who dumped you. But this feels like the right time now. If being with you has taught me anything, it’s that you can’t plan what feels right. Nothing has ever felt more right in my life than you. I love you more than life itself.”
My heart pounded. He wasn’t talking about reading me his journal anymore.
He opened the journal again and took something out. When he lifted it, I realized it was a sparkling diamond ring.
With my heart thundering against my chest, I sat up straight as he came over and got down on one knee.
His hand trembled as he held out the ring. “It would make me the happiest man on the face of the Earth if you would be my wife, Wren.”
Covering my mouth, I stared down at the shimmering diamond. “Did you just ask me to marry you, or am I dreaming?” Tears clouded my eyes.
“It’s not a dream.” He smiled.
“You already own my heart.” I shook my head. “But yes, I will most certainly marry you, Moody.”
Dax pulled me into a tight embrace. “I’ve always loved when you call me Moody. There’s only one name I think I like better.”
“What’s that?”
He kissed me again and smiled. “Mrs. Moody.”
Wren
I knocked on the door.
When he opened, I couldn’t help but ogle him. He looked absolutely gorgeous. His hair was just wet from the shower, and he wore a white tank top that showed off his muscles.
“Hi, I’m Wren.” I cleared my throat and held out my hand.
He gave me a once-over but withheld his hand. What a tease.
“Nice to meet you,” he said as he leaned against the door.
“Are you going to let me in?” I laughed.
“Yeah. Let me get that.” He reached out and grabbed my table, leaning it up against the wall.
“Thank you,” I said as I entered, my heels clicking against the floor of the foyer.
He shook his head. “I’m Dax. Sorry. I should’ve said that.” He exhaled. “I guess I got a little distracted.”
“Have you ever had a massage, sir?”
“I’ve never taken my clothes off for a massage before, no.”
“Well, I guess we’re both in the same boat then.”
“You’re taking your clothes off, too?” he joked.
My eyes went wide. “No.” I laughed. “I’m nervous because this is my first night on the job. I’ve had training, of course, just haven’t gone into any houses yet. And I certainly haven’t massaged anyone as…” I stopped short. “Never mind.”
“No.” He took a few steps toward me. “Say what you were gonna say.”
“I’ve never massaged anyone as…” I looked down, then up. “…Good-looking as you.”
“Well…” He inched closer. “I’m flattered.” I could feel his breath on my face. “Can I be honest, too?”
My breath quivered. “Sure.”
“I wasn’t expecting you to be so beautiful. I’m a bit flustered right now.”