Page 118 of Undone
Parking the truck near the woods, I make my way down the trail to the lake. The air’s cool, but not cold, a slight breeze rustling the leaves overhead. A few stray branches snap under my boots, a bird cawing from above.
Finally, I spill out of the trees, moving across the empty field toward the lake. Sunset’s in full force, pink streaking the sky. Liv’s gone, but she worked her magic, turning our special place into the most incredibly romantic spot.
A white canopy strung with twinkly lights sits near the water’s edge, a table set for two beneath it. A mason jar full of red and white roses decorates the table, a bottle of champagne chilling in a silver bucket next to it.
But the real stunner is the lake. Floating golden lanterns dot the entire glassy blue surface, glowing in the fading sunlight. The scene’s straight out of a fairy tale, and it is downright breathtaking.
“King?” Juliet walks out of the woods, and she’s never been more beautiful, the waves of her hair tumbling around her bare shoulders. She’s wearing a gauzy green sundress that highlights every spectacular curve of her body, and I can’t stop staring as she sashays over to me.
Finally, we’re face-to-face, the last rays of sunlight catching the golden flecks in her eyes. I grasp her hands, lace her fingers with mine. My heart’s hammering, my throat tight with so many emotions. I work on keeping my voice steady as I gaze into her eyes.
Beguiling.
“Juliet.”
She smiles at me, and my stomach swoops, nerves thrumming on high. I swallow hard, take a quick breath, start over again.
“I’ve been under your spell from the moment I laid eyes on you, all those years ago.”
The wind blows, her hair fluttering around her face, and all my muscles tense. This woman’s so damn perfect, I can’t even think straight.
“I love everything about you. Your smile, your laugh, the way you sing in the shower when you think no one’s listening. How you make me feel. Most of all, your kind, caring heart. I never stopped loving you. I need you to know that.” I trace my thumb over the smooth skin of her cheek, down her jaw.
“I need you, Juliet, more than anything in this whole world. What I’m trying to say is?—”
Dropping down to one knee, I pull the velvet box from my pocket, fumble with the clasp, and finally get it to open. I hold the ring up for her to see. The diamond sparkles in the cobalt darkness, the twinkly lights reflecting off the precisely cut surface of the gem.
She takes a deep breath, her eyes filling with tears as she stares at the ring, then back at me.
“Juliet, will you marry me? Do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Nodding, she bites down on her lip, then smiles.
“Yes, King. Of course, a thousand times yes.”
She drops down to her knees in the grass, taking my face in her hands and kissing me hard and deep. Letting me know she’s mine and I’m hers.
Forever.
“I love you, baby,” I murmur into her open mouth, her lips tipping up in a smile.
“I love you too. So much.”
Sliding her tongue against mine, her hands move from my face to my neck, twine in my hair. Every inch of me is alive, wrapped up in this magnificent woman.
We break away from each other’s bodies, and I ease the ring from the cushion.
I take her delicate hand and slide the diamond onto her finger—a perfect fit.
“It’s beautiful, King.” She moves her hand from left to right, admiring the sparkly ring.
“My mom helped me pick it out.”
Her eyes fly to my face, her lips a pink circle, realization dawning.
“Your mom?”
“Yeah. I bought it the day we found out you were pregnant.”