Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
“What?” she murmured.
“Let’s change up the dialogue.”
She frowned, her reflection confused. “What?” she said again.
I slipped the box from my pocket where I had it hidden and held it in front of her. “I think with Finn married, I should bring home my fiancée.”
She stared down at the box, not touching it. I turned her in my arms and held the box out again. “Please. Marry me.”
She looked up, tears glistening. “Niall,” she murmured. “Are you sure?”
I tipped up her chin and kissed her, a gentle press of my mouth to hers. “I am more certain of marrying you than I have ever been of any decision in my life. I was meant to be the one who rescued you. You were meant to be mine. I want to take you to Ireland and introduce you to Mum as my intended.” I kissed her again. “I’d like to marry you there, but they have a strict three-month waiting period.”
She gazed up at me, love shining in her eyes. She clutched the intricately carved box in her hands, cradling it as if it were the most precious thing in the world.
“Really?”
I smiled. “You have to say yes first. And look at your ring.”
“Yes.”
“Open your ring, mo mhuirnín,” I instructed gently.
She paused, biting her lip, then opened the lid and gasped. I grinned at her reaction. I took the box from her hand, sliding the ring onto her finger. “Perfect.”
I had chosen a flawless two-carat diamond set in white gold with rose gold accents. The band was intricate and dotted with tiny diamonds set among leaves and tiny flowers. The wedding band I would add soon went around the ring, encasing it on both sides with more elaborate work and completing a Celtic knot on either side of the center diamond. It was unique, beautiful, and one of a kind—just like the woman I was going to marry.
“It’s the most beautiful ring I have ever seen,” she whispered.
“Una helped me. She said you wouldn’t like one like hers. I thought this one would suit you.”
“It’s so…” She looked up. “Niall, I love it. It’s perfect. I love you.”
“So, that would still be a yes?” I teased.
“Oh! Yes! Yes!” She flung her arms around me, and I held her close, thrilled with her reaction, her answer, and the fact that my mum would be beyond ecstatic.
I pressed a kiss to Anna’s head. “It’s gonna be an amazing trip,” I promised. “Mum is going to love you even more than she already does. I’ll show you Ireland. I get you all to myself for ten days.” I grinned. “That is the best part.”
She snuggled close. “Yes, it is.”
“Ready to come back to bed? I have this urgent need to make love to my fiancée. Help her relax.”
“Oh,” she murmured, pressing closer and feeling my need. “Oh. Yes.”
I lifted her into my arms and carried her back to bed.
TWO WEEKS LATER
I stood by the bar, the noise and merriment filling the pub endless. Music was being played, the fiddle and drums beating out a lively tune. Tables groaned with food. Mum’s friends, neighbors, and locals blended. Far too much whiskey and liquor were being consumed. The laughter was loud and boisterous.
And I was smiling so widely, my face hurt. I watched my shy, timid Anna dance with one stranger, then another. She was passed around like a box of chocolates on Christmas Day. One hand to the next—and she was fine. More than fine. She was happy, relaxed. Laughing, her head thrown back, her long hair brushing the top of her sweetly curved ass. She wore a dress Mum had bought her—a throwback to medieval days with a long white blouse-thing underneath and a vivid blue front-laced corset-type style over the top. The blouse had long, lacy sleeves, and the front dipped low with another froth of lace. The dress had slits up the front, flashing her legs as she danced, and Anna was beyond sexy in it. Una was beside her, dressed the same, but hers was green. With her red hair, she was the perfect Irish lass, yet nothing could hold a candle to my Anna. Mum was on the other side of the room, clapping and laughing, her eyes full of love for her two new daughters. Even though Anna and I weren’t married yet legally, Mum didn’t care. She adored them both, but she loved Anna with a fierceness only a mother could have, and I was happy to see how well they got along.
Finn came up beside me, leaning on the bar. “Grand,” he murmured. “What a fecking grand day.”
I laughed. “Anna mentioned how strong your brogue is again—she’s right.”
“You should hear yourself.” He chuckled and threw back his whiskey. “Roisin throws quite the party.”
“That she does.”
“Anna looks incredible. So happy.”