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Dane

Her mouth dropped open so fast he was surprised her jaw didn't unhinge. Her eyes went so wide, his fear surged and he rushed in with more words before she could say no.

"It's not just because of this! I had been thinking about it, wanting it, but I didn't think I could ever do that. I needed to hide you… but I've wanted it all along, Lila. I've dreamed about you, about us, about a family. But I never thought it would be possible. Except now… now it's coming out. We can't stop it. Even if we try to pretend it was a one time thing, too many people know. The worst people know—and they know to watch you. Now… now it would be better to be together. All the time. Every day. I could keep you safer that way.

"If we get married there's so much I can do for you—so many ways I can keep you safe legally. And to, if anything happens to me…"

Lila's hands came up to her mouth then and she looked like she might cry.

"Lila, I love you. So much. I wanted this. Please… let me show you." He leaped to his feet and she stepped back, still staring in shock as he crossed to the bedside table and opened a drawer, digging through it. "The other when I went out, I thought about this and went and got it from the safety deposit box. I won it… it doesn't matter. The point is, I'd locked it away because I thought it was just another chunk of money, you know? But I was thinking, even then… even when I thought it was impossible… I don't know what I was thinking. Except that I want you to be mine."

He turned then, the ring box in his hand and found her gaping at him, his sweatshirt swimming on her, the sleeves completely fallen over her hands, her face a mask of shock.

But she wasn't frowning. She wasn't shaking her head, or mouthing no.

Dane swallowed and took a step, then lowered himself down on one knee, holding the box and her hands went back to her mouth.

"Lila Farris, I want you. I need you. I love you. You're the only one I want. Ever. Will you please forgive how much of an ass I am and marry me?"

"Oh, Dane," she whispered. "Yes!"

He laughed joyfully as she launched herself into him, ignoring the ring completely, and threw her arms around his neck, then pulled his face up and kissed him deeply.

"I love you," she gasped. "I love you so much!"

"I love you, too," he graveled then got to his feet. But she was refusing to stop kissing him, so it was an awkward stumble, clinging to her. "Lila…" Kiss. "Lila, babe…" Kiss. "You have to let me put the ring on."

She leaned back, beaming at him. "I don't care about the ring."

"I do," he grumbled. "It's really pretty."1

With a little snort, she pressed her lips together and nodded, "Okay, okay, you're right. We should probably do something the traditional way." She kissed him one more time, her tongue tracing his, then she stepped back.

Dane sucked in a breath, honestly concerned he might pass out, he was so overwhelmed with emotion as she put her left hand out, fingers splayed.

Her hand shook.

So did his as Dane took her fingers gently, then slid the ring onto her third finger. Her eyes went wide and she looked at him. "What is that?"

"It's called a rainbow diamond. They're very rare."

She couldn't stop staring at it, turning her hand to see it catch the light. Dane smiled because he knew every time she moved her hand it reflected a different color—hence the name—and she'd probably never seen one before.

"Technically it isn't actually a diamond," he said, watching her face. She looked like a child who'd just been given a pony.

"I don't care. It's beautiful."

"Just like you."

She dissolved into tears then, and he had to spend several minutes hugging her and mopping her up before she was able to speak again.

"Dane, I can't… I just don't know what to say. I'm so glad… I don't ever want to leave you again."

"You won't have to. You won't be able to—even if you want to," he chuckled. Then his face went serious. He held her hands and she stared up at him. "Are you sure, Lila? You don't feel like you have to do you, because of the picture?"

She raised both her eyebrows and gave him a very skeptical look. "Do I strike you as someone who could be forced to marry, Dane?"

"Point taken. But I want to ask you something." He took a deep breath, holding both her hands. "And don't let the one point two million dollar ring on your finger sway your decision."

She snorted. "Noted."

He gave her a lopsided grin, then squeezed her hands. "Lila, will you be my wife? Marry me?"

She blinked, looking confused. "I mean, yes. I just said… didn't we just do this?"

He cleared his throat. "Yes, but… will you marry me right now?"

He thought he might have to check that she was actually breathing when her mouth opened and closed several times without her making a sound. She kept blinking and held his hands too tightly. But he waited.

"You're… you're serious," she said. It wasn't a question.

He nodded slowly. "If the world knows about us, I want them to know everything. I want them to be certain that everything I have and everything I am is behind you, Lila. I want anyone—not just my father—to know they don't fuck with you without dealing with me."

She blinked again at the language, but her smile crept up.

"You're serious."

"Yes. Didn't I just say that?"

She giggled. "What are you suggesting? Do you have a jet to Vegas or something?"

"Better."

"You're serious."

"You keep saying that," he muttered. "Is there something about my face that makes you think I might not be? Because… Lila, I want to walk out of this apartment tomorrow married. Do you?"

"Yes," she said, without hesitation. "Yes. Yes to everything."

If he was going to pull this off, he needed to get things rolling. But first he needed to kiss her for the pure joy on her face.

This makes me laugh every time I re-read this chapter. Dane being such a boy, wanting his present to be liked