Page 253 of Broken Saint
“I love you, Ella. I love you so fucking much.”
My eyes flood with tears, and I’m so lost in his dark gaze that I don’t see him move.
So when his hand suddenly appears between us, I startle, my eyes dropping to?—
“Colton,” I whisper, my eyes glued to the small black box between his fingers.
“Ella,” he says, but unlike before, his voice isn’t strong and confident. Instead, it’s cracked with nerves and emotion. “I’ve meant every single word I’ve said this past week.You’re my everything. Always have been, always will be. I don’t want to spend another day of my life without knowing that you’re mine. Really, truly mine.
“I might be about to leave, but it’s only because I know it’s to make us stronger. I’ve messed up. I’ve messed up time and time again. I know I have, and I know I don’t deserve you, or another chance.
“But I need you, Bombshell. My heart only beats for you. My world only spins for you. Will you be mine? Forever? Will you marry me?”
I gasp through my uncontrollable tears as he flips open the jewelry box between us, revealing the most incredible solitaire diamond ring.
It’s simple. Understated and completely perfect.
“Colton,” I sob, barely able to see him through my tears.
Like a movie, our time together right from the very first day I saw him at MKU to watching him flip pancakes in the kitchen this morning plays out in my head.
It’s not until he whispers, “You’re going to need to respond, Bombshell,” that I realize how much time has passed.
“Yes,” I blurt. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
As he gathers me up in his arms, I lose myself to my sobs. There is nothing pretty or elegant about the way I fall apart on his shoulder, but then that’s just us.
Raw and real and painful, yet absolutely everything I’ve ever wanted.
With his fingers twisted in my hair, he pulls me back, and holds my eyes.
“I’m sorry, I’m a mess.”
He shakes his head. “No, Ella. You’re perfect,” he says before slamming his lips down on mine, kissing me as if we’re locked away in a bedroom alone.
The kiss goes on and on, and by the time we part, my body is practically vibrating with need.
“Fuck,” he pants.
“This might have been the worst possible time to do that,” I tease.
“I need you so fucking badly,” he groans. “You have no idea how hard it’s been.”
My light laughter fills the air as I mischievously slide my hand up his thigh.
“Bombshell,” he groans as I grasp him through his jeans. “Unless you’re willing to finish what you’re starting, I suggest you stop.”
“Five days,” I whisper.
“Sounds like a lifetime.”
Lifting my hand from his crotch, Colton presses a kiss to the center of my palm before he plucks the ring from its cushion and slides it onto my ring finger.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.
“Nowhere near as beautiful as you.”
Silence falls again as the world continues moving around us.