“I have a confession to make,” Kayden says, his voice dark and intense. “I have always found relationships difficult. This isn’t because I’m some playboy, or that I enjoy playing the field or anything like that. It’s because, I think, I watched my parents die at a very young age.”
There’s supposed to be quiet in the studio, but a small collective gasp resounds from the crew nonetheless.
I clasp my hands to my chest as I stare at him, tears pricking my eyes. It’s like he’s building up to something. I’ve never seen him so intense, never heard him so rough voiced.
“I think it changed something in me. It made it harder for me to love. And it seemed like this was the perfect show for me… except it was a lie. The only reason I agreed to do the show was so I could get some good PR. I wanted to convince a few shareholders – and the public – that I wasn’t a grumpy jackass. I failed. Because I couldn’t make myself care. I couldn’t pretend. I don’t mean any disrespect to the contestants. They just simply weren’t the woman for me.”
He stares hard at me. “But then a miracle happened. I met the woman of my dreams. She was working backstage as a runner, the lowest of the totem pole, but she immediately became everything to me. People say, love, at first sight, doesn't exist. But I love her. I love you, Kyra. I love you so much.”
I let out a croak and everyone turns to face me.
His words bounce around my head brightly, love, love, love repeating in my mind until it’s all I can hear.
Kayden smiles softly, lifting his hand. “Come and join me.”
My feet move before my brain can catch up with what’s happening. I walk quickly across the studio, holding back tears as they try to escape me. I’ve never felt so much trying to burst out of me. My emotions spark and shine and I know, deep in my heart, this man is always going to be there for me. Forever.
I rush onto the stage, clasping his hand in mine.
“I love you too,” I say, staring up at him. “So much, Kayden. I love you so freaking much.”
He leans down and softly kisses my cheek, taking away some of the tears. From the way the kiss lingers, I can tell he wants to make it last longer. I can tell he wants to throw me down and tear away my clothes, the same way my sex aches demandingly for me to reach out and grab hold of him.
The cameras are the only thing that keeps us civilized.
He takes my hands, staring down at me. The studio drifts away. The fact that millions of people are watching no longer matters. The universe recedes and then it’s us, only us, my Kayden and me, the man who made me feel the impossible.
Love blooms in my chest, expanding until I’m overflowing with it.
“I could only ever pick you,” he says. “You’re the only woman for me. I can’t imagine being with anyone else. Kyra, sweet Kyra, perfect Kyra… you’re funny and smart and beautiful. You’re hot as hell. You’re kind and loving and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you, and I’m nervous as hell right now.”
“Nervous?” I say, shaking my head.
He has no reason to ever be nervous with me.
“This is the most important question I’ve ever asked.”
My mouth falls open as what’s about to happen crashes into me. It hits me with more impact than any orgasm, any kiss, or physical clashing we’ve had yet. It hits me in a starry warm place and makes me feel like I’m floating.
But then I stamp down on the feeling, screaming a warning to myself.
I’m going to come crashing back down to earth if I let my head spin out of control like this. Maybe I’ve got it wrong somehow. Maybe he’s going to ask me something completely different.
“Kyra Jacobs,” he says, letting go of my hand and slowly lowering himself to one knee.
I gaze down, realizing I was right.
What I hoped – what I hardly dared to dream – is coming true right in front of me. And on TVs all over the country, people are watching our most precious moment.
I was a fool for ever thinking my man would be ashamed of me. It’s exactly the opposite. He wants the whole world to know he’s picked me, only me.
“If the fire that took my parents broke me, the fire I feel every time I look at you puts me back together again every time. I’ve been waiting my whole life to meet you. I count myself the luckiest man alive that we met, that I’ve been able to make you mine… and make me yours in the process. Kyra, sweet Kyra.”