Page 76 of Diamond Dream

“And now you have me and your diamond.”

I rise from my seat and set her down on the chair. “Speaking of which, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

Kat stares at me in confusion as I walk over to where my suit jacket hangs, fishing around the pockets for the item I’ve been carrying for a while.

After grabbing the small velvet box, I take my time walking back to her, and she watches me with unmistakable curiosity.

“This belongs to you,” I say, referring to the object within my hand. “I’ve been dying to give it back to you since you threw it at me. I’ve had it with me this entire time, waiting for the right moment to return it to its rightful owner.”

I drop to one knee in front of her, and she gasps, her eyes widening. “Nik?—”

My heart thunders inside my chest. “Kat, I’ve been yours from the first moment I saw you. I would do unspeakable things to make you the happiest woman in the world. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, and there’s no one I love, cherish, or trust more. I never, ever want to be parted from you again. Please make me the happiest man on this earth by giving me the honor of loving, protecting, and treasuring you with all of me for the rest of my life. Marry me, Kat.”

I flip the ring box open, revealing the ring I commissioned for her months ago—days after she stormed into my home office and rightfully flung the red diamond at me. Before I had any reason to believe there was hope she would miraculously forgive me. Before I knew she would ever take me back. One look at the red diamond, and I knew there was only one acceptable fate for it.

It was appropriate, after all, that the gemstone that brought us together in the first place should be the one to symbolize our eternal bond.

Kat stares at the ring with wide eyes before gasping. “Is that… is that the Flame of Mir?”

“Yeah. Do you like it?”

“Do I like it? This is the most stunning ring I’ve ever seen in my life! It is, of course, scandalously, outrageously extravagant—but, oh, Nik! I love it! It’s perfect.”

“Does that mean you will marry me?” I ask her impatiently, barely daring to breathe.

Kat finally averts her mesmerized eyes from the ring to my face, her expression changing from confused to exasperated. “Of course I’ll marry you! Nik, I love you. Marrying you is a no-brainer.”

I slide the ring onto her finger before she can take the words back. She dreamily gazes at it for a moment. Then, before I have a chance to react, she launches herself at me, sending both of us tumbling to the ground.

My delighted laugh echoes as she enfolds me with her arms, showering my face and neck with the most delectable, feathery kisses.

“Nikolai Stefanovich…” she says, sighing. “You’re the man of my dreams. You’re the answer to my every prayer. You’re more, so much more than everything I’ve ever wanted—you’re everything I’ve always needed. Being loved by you is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. There’s nothing I’d love more than to marry you. I love you, you know.”

The look on her exquisite face almost unmans me. “I’ll never get over hearing you say that.”

She smiles at me with a playful glint in her dark blue eyes. “That’s fine with me. I’ll never stop saying it.”

“Maybe one day you’ll somehow love me as much as I love you.”

“As it happens, I already do. Scratch that—you can’t possibly love me as much as I love you. I’m positive I love you more.”

I bite back a groan as Kat’s luscious body rubs against mine. As always, the slightest friction between us is enough to make me crave her to distraction. “In your dreams, Kat.”

“While we’re at the subject of my dreams,” she says, her gaze fixated on my lips, “I think it’s time we seal the deal.”

I couldn’t agree more. Still, I can’t resist teasing her. “Ask me nicely.”

Kat’s maddening mouth curves into the most sensual smile. Her eyes darken before she whispers, “Kiss me, Nik. Kiss me, and I’m yours.”