Page 111 of Ursa Major
Vee tensed as Cypher moved to the middle of it, letting go of her hand. She stopped, staring at him, a mask of confusion over her face.
This is how a man proposes to a woman, is it not?
He may have been inept with the opposite sex, but he did research this at great length.
Marriage, the sacrament was an act of love, the ultimate union. He had no plans to ever let Vee go, and thought nothing of it as ‘jumping the gun.’ He wanted her, forever, and that was it.
Cyborgs didn’t have any traditions, he found. Not a single one. There was nothing his kind had in the way of history and culture, and it saddened him.Him.The Cyborg who hibernated on Ghost for the last several generations because of his job, and because he couldn’t be bothered.
Besides that, those of his kind who were partnered with their mates—the very, very few—had done it in a variety of ways.
He detested that Nightheart had been right all along. He’d allow the Cyborg to live for a while longer—a short while. Long enough to see his boss fall to his knees in worship when he finally found a woman he couldn’t live without. Cypher looked forward to that glorious day of revenge. Whether it was tomorrow or a hundred years from now, he would be there to enjoy it.
He turned to Vee and got down on one knee.
“Cypher…” Vee whispered, sucking her lower lip into her mouth and wiping her palms on her pants. “What are you doing?”
“Vee Miles,” he started, pulling out the priceless pyrizian metal band from his pocket. It sparkled in the suns’ light. “Will you marry me?”
Her jaw dropped open, and her lovely dark eyes widened. “What?”
“You heard me,” he scoffed. “Will you marry me?”
“Oh my God.” She looked around wildly. “This is happening—you’re proposing. You didn’t knock me out and set me up in a simulation, right? Are we in the game?”
His brow knitted together, and he hardened his lips. “What else do you think I’m doing? And no, we are not in the game.”
She pressed her hands to her chest. “Oh my God, oh my God, oh hell! You even have a ring! Where did you get a ring?”
“Vee,” he growled. “Don’t make me force an answer from you.” Was this how proposals were supposed to go? Maybe he shouldn’t have kept it a secret. “The ring is from the metal plates protecting my heart. I took it out and fashioned it last night while you were sleeping.”
“You didwhat!?”
Was the location, the flowers, the food, and the music not enough?
“For fuck’s sake, Vee, yes or no?” He got to his feet and strode up to her before she had a panic attack and ran.
“But you’re a heroic, legendary Cyborg, and I’m—I’m just…”
“Just what? My partner? My teammate?” He cupped her cheeks. “Answer. Now.”
“Partners…” she whispered, the shock slowly leaving her gaze. “We are that, aren’t we?”
“Answer! I’m growing impatient.” Always,alwayswith her, the wait killed him. He should’ve known it wasn’t going to be easy. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
A smile crept over her lips.
His lips followed.
“Yes,” she said.
Cypher tugged her hand between them and slipped his ring onto her finger. Though devoid of gems, it was priceless. Holding her hand up with his, a thrill filled him seeing the metal encircling her finger. He liked it. He liked it a little too much. Fuck that, he loved it. Vee closed her hand into a fist and pressed it to her heart.
He covered it with his own. “You’re mine now. Forever,” he warned.
“And you’re mine now forever, too. Don’t ever forget that.”
The heat coursing through his body blazed hot. He leaned down and pressed his brow to hers. This was one non-negotiable contract. One game they’d win. He slid his lips over her forehead and down her cheek.
Who knew he’d fall for the woman who practically catfished him? Cypher found Vee’s willing lips and claimed them.
He was awake now, and would always be.
Because of her.
