❦Jason❦

I held out the red velvet box to Cheryl and gave her an expectant look. "What do you think?" Nestled inside the box was a flawless 24-carat pink emerald cut diamond, set in a ring of 18kt rose and white gold, with smaller, colorless diamonds on the side. The pink diamond was one of the rarest in the world and I had it especially made for Kate.

She made a strangled sound at the back of her throat. "Oh my God, Jason, this is exquisite." She held the ring up, admiring it as it sparkled in the sunlight. "Absolutely perfect. Kate is going to love this."

"You think?"

"Of course. What woman doesn't like diamonds?" She was still admiring the ring. "And this is, hands down, the most stunning ring I've ever seen. She's going to swoon."

I sighed in relief. Cheryl knew about diamonds more than anyone else, considering she owned a large priceless collection, and if she liked it then I was sure Kate would do.

I was taking Kate to the charity party at my parents' mansion in Bel Air that night and after the party, I was planning on finally telling her I was in love with her. I was nervous, not knowing how she would react when I proposed.

My parents were in town for the charity party and Nathan, Cheryl and I joined them for lunch. When I showed my mother the ring, she was as ecstatic as Cheryl had been, if not more. "I never thought I'd live to see the day you would finally propose to someone." Her eyes were suspiciously bright.

"Neither did any of us, Aunt Lilly." Cheryl chimed in with a grin. "Honestly, I still feel as if I'm dreaming. The entire female population is going to crazy when they find out that you're officially off the market." She added teasingly.

Mom laughed and reached out to take my hand. "You've made me very happy today, sweetheart. I can't wait to meet Kate tonight."

"She's great. You're going to love her." Nathan said taking a bite of his lamb chop.

"I'm sure we will." Dad spoke with a smile. "So are you planning on popping the question after the party tonight?"

When I nodded, Cheryl made a face. "That is so unromantic, Jason. You're doing an injustice to a fifteen-million-dollar engagement ring, if you don't at least take her to an exotic destination to propose."

Nathan scoffed. "It's just a proposal. Why does it matter where he does it?"

"I swear, Nathan, you don't have a single romantic bone in your body."

"Thank fuck I don't have that disease." He said with a smirk and Cheryl just shook her head in exasperation.

Dad looked amused. "Nathan, son, just wait until you meet the right woman."

"I can't wait to see that day." Cheryl added gleefully which earned her a scowl from Nathan. Ignoring him, she turned to me. "Why don't you take Kate somewhere nice this weekend and then propose?"

"Weekend is six days away. I can't wait that long." I explained. I just wanted to tell Kate how I felt as soon as possible. The past month had been difficult enough with trying to keep the three words to myself when all I wanted was to tell her every time we were together. The waiting had been killing me. I didn't think I could even go a day without seeing my ring on her finger. "And if she says yes, then I'll take her to Puerto Rico for the weekend and propose to her again."

Mom frowned. "If she says yes?"

"I don't know how she feels about me, mom." I said softly. "I mean, I think she loves me but I'm not sure."

"Oh, sweetheart. I'm sure she does." She touched my face gently. "What's not to love about you?"

I smiled knowing how biased she was when it came to me. Honestly, the nerves were eating me alive, not knowing how Kate was going to react. Here I was thinking of asking her to spend the rest of her life with me when she hadn't even agreed to move in with me.

My thoughts went to that day. It had fucking broken my heart when she accused me of being the same as Peter. Being compared to him made me see red and even now I felt guilty when I thought of how rough I had been with her afterwards. It didn't matter that she had liked that side of me, I shouldn't have touched her when I was so pissed off and hurt.

And I knew I could make her move in with me, but I didn't want to force her. Didn't want to control her. I just wanted her with me, so that I could keep her safe.

I sighed looking at the engagement ring. Part of me was so scared she would say no. But other part kept telling me she would say yes. Even though she hadn't talked about her feelings I suspected that she loved me. I could see it in her eyes every time she looked at me, could taste it in her kiss and in her every touch. But if I was wrong, if she didn't love me then I had enough love in my heart for the both of us to last a lifetime and more.

❦ ❦ ❦

❦Kate❦

"What do you think, Hal?" I asked trying on a little blue dress that I had bought a year ago. I had never worn it before because Peter found it too short for his taste.

Hal, who was sprawled on my bed, wrinkled his nose. "You're attending the party of a multi billionaire. You can't go wearing that. You'll stick out like a sore thumb."

I huffed and threw my arms up in resignation. "What am I going to do then? I don't have enough time to go shopping." It was already five in the evening.

Hal jumped up from the bed. "We have time to pop into one store. If we leave now."

With a groan I started shimmying out of the dress. Hal just flopped back on the bed and turned his attention back to his phone.

My phone went off as I was pulling on my jeans. It was Jason. I panicked when he told me he was going to pick me up at six thirty. There was no way I could be ready by then considering that I had yet to find something to wear.

When I told him that he just chuckled. "There's no need to go shopping. Let me take care of it, okay?"

His way of taking care of it was sending Ben to my house carrying three garment bags slung over one arm and a couple of glossy shopping bags clutched in his hands.

As soon as he left, Hal was opening one bag. "Wow, this is a masterpiece." Hal exclaimed in awe as he extracted a pastel pink gown out of it. The other two bags contained short dresses, one black and the other a deep red.

"He even sent you choices." Hal sighed. "I know I've said it a million times but Jason is the perfect boyfriend."

"Because he can afford to get me designer dresses?" I teased running my fingers on the soft material of the black dress.

"Well, yeah that too." Hal grinned. "But more importantly, because he treats you so well. Honestly, I've never seen you happier."

"I've never felt happier." I admitted with a smile. "He always puts me first, no matter how busy he is, and makes me feel as if I'm the center of his universe." When Hal remained silent, I glanced at him. He was staring at me with wide eyes. "What?" I raised my eyebrows.

"You're in love with him, aren't you?"

I opened my mouth, ready to deny, but no words came out.

"You are." Hal grinned, looking like a cat who had swallowed a fat canary.

I suddenly felt the need to sit down and I sank on to the bed. "No. That can't be." Why did it feel as if the oxygen had been sucked out of the room?

"Oh, come on, Kate. Don't try to deny it. It's written all over your face. And honestly, I'm mad at myself for not seeing it sooner. I mean, you glow every time you talk about him."

My heart was beating at a rapid thrum. I wished I could block out his words. It would be foolish to fall in love with a man like Jason. He treated me like a queen, to put it simply, but it didn't change the fact that he had heartbreak written all over him. Loving him would be a dangerous and reckless mistake.

But deep down, I knew it was too late.

I was already in love with him.

The realization was powerful and knocked the breath out of me. My chest tightened. I had been trying so hard not to fall for him but his words and actions had claimed my heart without me even being aware of it.

I glanced at Hal helplessly. "What should I do?"

He was by my side instantly, sitting next to me. "You should tell him."

"No."

He was looking at me as if I was crazy. "What do you mean no? The man absolutely worships you. I'm sure he feels the same way about you."

I wanted to believe him. More than anything. But couldn't. "He is Jason Perez."

"So?"

"He could have his pick from the most beautiful women in the world. It's just hard for me to believe he could settle for me when he can have anyone he wants."

"You can be so dense sometimes." He sighed. "If he wanted someone else, would he be with you? Would he treat you as if you were the most precious thing to him?"

Hope was bubbling inside me but I was too terrified to believe it. "What if it's just lust he feels for me? And even if by some miracle, he did love me, I don't think it would last. He's not the type to do long term commitment."

"Despite how much he shows you that he cares for you, you don't believe him, do you? You keep expecting him to walk away, to hurt you, when he has been nothing but amazing to you."

"Hal, please. Let's not do this right now."

He sighed. "Fine. But tomorrow I'm coming over to talk some sense into you." Picking up the beautiful Versace black dress, he handed it to me. "Try this one."

It was sleeveless with a deep V-neck and rested just above my knee. The black material against my pale skin and vibrant red hair looked stunning.

"Wow, you've never looked sexier." Hal gave an appreciative whistle. "You're going to knock all the men off their feet tonight."

"There's only one man I want to knock off his feet."

He laughed. "You won't even have to try. He's already smitten with you."

After Hal left, I started getting ready. I styled my hair into a messy bun with wispy bangs falling over my forehead. I kept my make up to a minimum with just a few extra coats of mascara and blood red lipstick. Then I painted my nails in the same shade of red.

Jason had really thought of everything and even sent accessories to match each dress. The dress I was wearing came with a gold barely there two strap Gucci sandals and a matching clutch.

I was spritzing on some perfume when the doorbell rang. My stomach fluttered in excitement. It always happened whenever I was about to see Jason. Quickly stuffing some essentials into the clutch, I went to answer the door.

My mouth went dry at the sight of him, as it always did. He looked sexy as sin dressed in an elegant black tuxedo, crisp white dress shirt and a black bow tie. His hair was carelessly styled back, a day's worth of scruff shadowing his jaw, and he positively oozed sex appeal.

His eyes moved over my body, taking in my appearance, stark male appreciating flashing in them. "Fuck, baby. You look absolutely breathtaking."

Just a little over an hour ago, I had finally admitted to myself that I was in love with him and now seeing him for the first time since then, I was flooded with emotions. Not trusting myself to speak, I flung my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly, burying my face in his neck.

His arms went around me and I felt him kiss my hair. "You okay?" There was a hint of concern in his voice.

I nodded, breathing in the masculine scent of him. I was afraid if I opened my mouth, I would blurt out my feelings for him. It wasn't a wise thing to do, not when I was feeling as vulnerable as I did right then.

Pressing a kiss to his neck, I drew back, hoping my face didn't betray my emotions. "I've missed you."

A sexy smile tugged at his lips. "You saw me this morning."

"I know. But that was nine hours ago." I ran my fingers through the hair at his nape. "And every hour away from you feels like a week."

The pleased surprise on his face was adorable. Without giving him a chance to talk, I pulled his head down and kissed him. He tasted so good, like peppermint and something that was just uniquely him, and it drove me crazy. He groaned low in his throat and pulled my hips to him, making me feel his arousal.

A door closing down the hall filtered through my mind and I realized I was almost mauling him right there on the doorstep. Gripping the lapels of his jacket, I pulled him inside.

"We are going to be late if you keep that up." He said on a half laugh half groan when I pushed him against the closed door and arched into him.

In response, I hooked one leg around his thigh and nipped at his bottom lip. "Are you saying no to me?"

He looked amused but his eyes were dark with desire. Gripping my thighs, he ground his hips into me making me gasp. "Never, baby." Then he set his mouth over mine, kissing me fiercely.

❦ ❦ ❦

I wasn't prepared for the sudden nervousness that engulfed me as Jason guided me into the grand ballroom of his parents' mansion in Bel Air. The sheer extravagance of the party overwhelmed me.

"Don't be nervous, baby." Jason murmured and squeezed me lightly.

I nodded grateful that he was with me. The astonishing amount of famous faces in the room intimidated me and if it was not for him I would have been running out of the room as fast as I could.

A glamourous couple was making their way towards us. The beautiful woman had shoulder length blond hair and was dressed in an elegant peach gown while the man cut a formidable figure in a black tuxedo.

As they kissed and greeted Jason, I suddenly realized why they looked so familiar.

Jason introduced us. "Kate, this is my mom, Lillian Perez and my dad, Daniel Perez."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Perez." I swallowed my nervousness and smiled.

"Oh, the pleasure's all ours." Mrs. Perez said taking my hands warmly. "We have been dying to meet you. And please call me Lilly." She surprised me by giving me a light hug.

Daniel Perez looked like an older version of Jason. He had the same blue eyes, the same half smile and even sported the exact intimidating aura that Jason carried around him. I hadn't expected them to be so down to earth and welcoming. To my surprise, they treated me not just as a woman their son was dating, but as if I was part of their family.

I learned that the charity party was held to raise money for children in need all over the world. Daniel and Lilly were the patrons of The Perez Foundation and every year they carried out various charity functions to raise money for different causes.

"Nathan and Cheryl have just arrived." Jason murmured into my ear a while later and then excused us from the group of people we were talking to and led me towards them.

I had seen almost all of Cheryl's movies and seen her picture splashed across the pages of every tabloid in the country but that didn't prepare me for the shock of seeing her in person. She was clearly the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her long white blonde hair was flowing around her face and in a rose champagne gown she looked absolutely sensational. Her features were delicate and perfect and the way she carried herself spoke of confidence, poise and grace.

When Jason introduced us, Cheryl surprised me by giving me a warm friendly hug. "Kate, I'm so glad to meet you finally." I was so star struck but managed to return her hug.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." I said trying not to hyperventilate. She was a Hollywood A-lister, someone I had seen on the screen so many times and never thought I would actually get to breathe the same air as her. And the fact that she was hugging me seemed unreal.

"I've heard so much about you from Jason and Nathan. Well, Jason mostly." She continued with a grin. "But I was starting to think he had made you up since he wouldn't bring you by to meet me."

I grinned back, immediately put at ease by her friendliness. As the four of us chatted over champagne and caviar, I noticed how close Cheryl, Nathan, and Jason were. Anyone could see that the bond between them was strong. In fact, they seemed to act more like siblings than best friends.

"How are you feeling?" Jason asked me, sometime later, as we glided across the dance floor.

"Deliriously happy." I said leaning my head back to meet his gaze. "Your parents are really wonderful. And Cheryl too. I was self-conscious about meeting them but now I know I shouldn't have worried at all."

"I'm glad you like them, baby." As the song faded away, he swirled me and then tipped me back in a long dib, bringing his mouth down on me in a quick kiss.

I danced with Nathan next and Jason went to greet some guests with his parents. Over Nathan's shoulder, I saw Delia entering the ballroom with another couple. As Jason greeted her, she put her arms around him and hugged him. A wave of jealousy swept through me.

Nathan followed my gaze, understanding the reason why I had suddenly gone tense. "You don't need to worry about her." He said softly. "Jason's only got his eyes for you."

I felt embarrassed at having Nathan notice my jealousy but he just smiled. "He's crazy about you, you know that?"

My face flushed, from pleasure this time. "He is?"

He twirled me around once and grinned. "Head over heels." When the dance ended, Nathan guided me off the dance floor.

Cheryl appeared at our side with a champagne flute in her hand. "Jason wants you to meet him in the garden." Her voice held a hint of excitement.

I was confused. "Why is he in the garden?"

"He needed some air. You know how he needs to get away from crowds." She replied and then leaned against Nathan. "Go through that door and take a left or right." She gestured to the large French double doors in the ballroom. "Either way will lead you straight to the garden."

I nodded and turned to go but not before giving them a curious look. Cheryl looked way too excited and even Nathan was sporting a secretive grin. There was definitely something going on that I wasn't aware of.

I stepped outside and was surprised to see a pathway lit up with candles. I walked down the path, inhaling the fragrant scent wafting from the mix of hydrangea, orange blossoms, lilies and roses.

The path led me to a clearing where a stone fountain was. Right in the middle of the fountain was a statue of a mermaid sitting on a rock. There were candles everywhere. Vintage lanterns hung from trees and my confusion increased when I saw the beautiful tulip flower arrangements.

I looked around and saw Jason standing several feet away with his back to me. Suddenly everything started making sense. Had he done all this for me? I thought looking around in amazement once again. My heart was beating erratically in my chest. I was about go to him when I noticed movement from the other end of the garden.

My whole body tensed up seeing Delia. What was she doing here? And as I watched, she walked up to Jason and wrapped her arms around him from behind, her head resting on his broad shoulder.

I stared at that them in shock, my brain freezing for a moment. Then I heard him chuckle and say something to her. I couldn't hear exactly what he said but that was enough to snap me out of shock. I felt as if someone had just punched me in the stomach.