Blueprint for Love
Page 15
“Tonight, is a celebration of us,” he announced.
Ronnie smiled as he popped the cork on a bottle of champagne and filled two elegant flutes with the bubbly liquid. He handed one to her. She’d always loved champagne, and Vic knew it.
They clinked their glasses together and drank. The effervescent liquid felt so good sliding down her throat. It was chilled perfectly.
“This is so sweet,” she said.
“I’m glad you think so.” He flashed her a dazzling smile that almost made her heart stop. How she adored this man!
“And I can’t tell you how nervous I was waiting on you,” he said. “Two good Samaritans came along and tried to help me. And a cop almost arrested me for loitering.”
She playfully elbowed him. “You need to stop lying.”
His deep chuckle resonated in the air, sending erotic vibrations through her. How did he manage to be so sexy without even trying?
“Okay,” he admitted. “I was lying about the cop, but not about the two people who stopped to help. I had to clue them in on what I was doing before they finally left me alone.”
“And just what were you doing?”
“I was trying to recreate the night we first met,” he told her.
“But we met in my office,” she reminded him.
He shook his head. “Nope, that wasn’t a real meeting. That was the day you practically threw me out on my ass.”
She laughed. “I did not throw you out.”
“I said practically threw me out.”
“But then fate brought us back together again.”
“Amen.”
“I can’t believe you did this, Vic. It’s beautiful. And much better than dinner at some old stuffy restaurant.”
“I was hoping you’d feel that way.”
They were on the same page when it came to attending fussy events. Both of them were down-to-earth individuals who preferred to chill out on the beach, or in Vic’s case, the baseball stadium. He scooted closer and wrapped his arm around her. “For a brief moment, I was afraid you wouldn’t come this way,” he admitted.
“I almost didn’t,” she said. “But I was running late.”
He grinned. “I counted on that. I know what a workaholic you are. I figured you would wait until the last minute and then hightail it out of the office. You are pretty predictable.”
“Hey, no using my faults against me.”
He gazed into her eyes. “Baby, I love you and all of your faults, every single one of them.”
She swallowed, catching the hungry look of desire in his green eyes. Her voice was a whisper when it came out. “You love me?”
He nodded. “Isn’t it obvious? I try to say I love you with everything I do for you.”
She was held hostage by his gaze. Yes, he did do so much for her. She was lucky to have him in her life, and even luckier to be the object of his affection. A tidal wave of emotion washed over her, soaking her with happiness, apprehension, and fear all at the same time. Vic loved her! And the feeling was mutual. She’d known since the day they’d made love for the first time that she loved him. That’s what had been so scary about being with him. She’d tried hard to fight the feeling, but Vic wore her down. And she was so glad he had.
“I love you, too,” she confessed. “I’ve loved you for a long time, Vic. You mean everything to me.”
His eyes roamed her face. “Baby, you’re stealing my lines now.” She smiled as he stroked her face with his free hand. “I need you, Ronnie. I need you in my life. I wake up every morning thinking about you. I go to sleep at night wishing I was by your side. I claim you now and forever as my woman.”
The kiss he gave her, took her breath away. It was a kiss like no other, filled with equal amounts possessiveness, passion, and love. She moaned as his skillful tongue wrapped around hers. Greedy for everything he had to give, she suckled, reveling in the taste of his champagne-flavored mouth. A rush of heat flowed through her. She could do this every day and every night.
Vic ended the kiss. He took her glass from her and sat it on the cooler’s top, along with his.
He turned to face her. “By the way, those good Samaritans want me to call them and give them your answer.”
Maybe it was the combination of champagne and Vic’s kiss, but she was confused. “My answer? To what?”
Ronnie’s breath caught as Vic pulled a white box from his jacket pocket. “Ronnie, these past five months have meant the world to me. You’ve changed my life in so many ways. I can’t imagine it without you. I want you by my side always.”
When he flicked the lid open to reveal a stunning diamond solitaire, tears pricked the backs of her eyes.
“Oh, Vic.”
“I hope you like it,” he said.
She wiped at an errant tear that trickled down her cheek, despite her attempts to keep it at bay.
“I love it,” she quickly clarified. “It’s beautiful.”
He let out a deep breath. “Good. ‘Cause I saved up four month’s salary for this.”
Her mouth dropped. “You knew you wanted to marry me four months ago?”
“I knew I wanted to marry you the day we made love in your office. I’m crazy about you, Ronnie. I’ve already talked to Jovan, and he’s given me his blessing.”
She covered her mouth with her right hand while Vic slipped the engagement ring onto her left ring finger.
He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “I don’t have much, but what I do have, I want to share with you. Ronnie Jones, will you be my lover, my wife, my partner for life?”
She stared at the brilliant diamond on her finger. She didn’t hesitate with her answer. “Yes. This is the most romantic proposal, Vic.”
“All I want to do is make you happy, Ronnie.”
“You already have.”
They stared at each other, grinning like two teenagers on prom night. Then, her stomach grumbled, cutting through the silence.
They both laughed.
“I’d better get some food in you for real,” Vic said.
“Let’s get out of here before any more good Samaritans come along. And don’t forget to call them and tell them I said yes.”
“I already told them you’d say yes.”
She playfully punched him. “Why, you cocky, conceited—”
“Remember the day you stopped by my house to offer me the job?”
“Yes.”
“You liked me then too. You just didn’t show it.”
“Hey, if I’d known back then you had the blueprint for love, I wouldn’t have resisted so hard.”
This time, when they kissed, it was sweet, as if Vic was showing her his softer side. She decided she liked all his sides, no matter which one he chose to show her. Now, she had a lifetime to see them all.
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I want to thank the members of STARR (Serious, Truthful, And Ready to Read).
Denise Bolds
Tamara Cook
Erica George
Roxie Jones
These are my beta readers, who graciously volunteered their time to read my book in advance, and provide me with valuable feedback on content, flow, and believability of characters. They’ve been instrumental in finding grammatical errors and helping me polish this book into a work that I hope other readers will love. Thanks ladies! I could not have done this without you.
NOTE TO READERS
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed reading Vic and Ronnie’s story. This is the second book in the Love Under Construction Series. Look for the other books, Man at Work and Yield to Love, which feature the other Jones Sisters. I’d love to have your feedback. Please email me at Chanta@ChantaRand.com or feel free to post a review on the retail site where you purchased this book or on Goodreads. Thank you for supporting my work.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chanta Rand is an Emma Award winning, Debut Author of the Year, a multi-published, best-selling author of sizzling
-hot romance, and the former host of The Chanta Rand Show. An avid reader of all genres, she stepped onto the scene in 2010 with her first published historical romance, Pharaoh's Desire.
Chanta is a history junkie, a Walking Dead fan, and a recovering shoe addict. She never met a stiletto she didn't like! She’s on a mission to warn consumers about the dangers and GMOs and high-fructose corn syrup in our food.
If you still want more, check her out at www.ChantaRand.com.
CONNECT WITH ME
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