Page 42 of Consumed By Fire

"I was too scared of how I felt, even just thinking about you," I admitted, parking the car in the driveway.

"What made you change your mind?"

"The desire to get to know you. But I didn't know your name or where you lived, so I said to myself that if it was meant to be, I would meet you again."

"I'm speechless,” she says as she unfastens her seat belt.

I take her hand and we enter the house. I turn on the lights, then help her take off her jacket. We enter the living room and stop in the middle, where I hug her from behind.

"I like it. I told you these curtains would be perfect,” she says, looking around.

"Yeah, you were right, baby,” I whisper to her, holding her close to me.

Charlie turns around, looking into my eyes. “Dylan, what's up? I feel how tense you are and I don't like it.”

I sigh and brush my lips with hers, as if I need courage.

"Baby ... I know you'll take me for crazy, but I'm madly in love with you,” I say, looking into her eyes. "Never in my life have I felt so alive and loved. No one has ever understood me or been able to read into my soul like you do." I step back and kneel, taking out the box with the ring. "I want you in my life, Charlotte. I want to fall asleep and wake up with you for the rest of my days. I want to create a family with you, grow old by your side, and love you unconditionally for eternity. Charlotte, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife, and being mine, mine alone, forever?"

In her eyes, I can read the amazement, the emotion, the disbelief, and finally, the realization of what I’m asking her. It’s then that her wonderful eyes fill with tears and she kisses me, saying “yes.” One word, one that is enough to make my heart racing again. I hug her, kissing her with everything I have to offer. I'm not perfect, but with her next to me, life will be wonderful.

I wiped her tears and put the ring on her finger. "We aren’t in a hurry and, you know, we’ll wait until you’re ready to say yes in front of the altar."

"Dylan..."

"Yes, baby."

"Shut up and love me!” she says, throwing herself into my arms. Her lips crash into mine in a fiery kiss. I pick her up and carry her up to our room. I’d bought the candles and roses for tomorrow night. I had everything planned but I hadn’t taken into account that I was afraid that it wasn’t what she wanted.

I place her down, letting her rub against me. “Wait here,” I whisper, making her chuckle. I start lighting candles. Then she takes the lighter from my hands and lights them for me—a team effort, as always.

"You know they're not necessary."

"I know, but I had organized in my head the proposal for tomorrow so that I’d have time to fill the house with candles and roses."

"Romantic, but perhaps too much,” she says, lighting the last candle. The dim light in the room makes her look so sexy.

"Nothing is ever too much for you, love," I whisper, moving a lock of her hair. Charlotte stands up on her tiptoes and kisses me.

I slowly undress her, savoring her skin, caressing it, worshiping it. I feel her tremble under my touch, panting every time I brush her skin with my lips. She unfastens the belt of my jeans, pulling me toward the bed, and I love her mischievous smile.

25

CHARLOTTE

I stretch slowly and open my eyes. Dylan is breathing deeply, still sleeping, and I pause to observe him. The man I love and will love forever has conquered me. I'm still incredulous that he asked me to marry him. He really did. I'd never dreamed so much. I'd always wanted to keep my feet on the ground. Good things always end.

"A penny for your every thought, baby,” he whispers, stroking my neck.

"Mmmm, I was thinking about you and us."

"About me? I like it. What in particular?” he asks, stroking my face.

"Grace told me you were injured...” I say, swallowing. “Where?"

"We were in Afghanistan and they shot me," he says, placing my hand on his wound, now covered by the tattoo. "I wanted to cover it up and not see it every time I looked in the mirror, but it didn't work. It's still there, and it will always remind me of the boy I couldn't save."

"Dylan, it wasn't your fault. Unfortunately, there are things that mark us that we can’t avoid. I'm proud of you, love. And thinking that I might not have been lucky to meet you scares me."