Page 114 of Inseparable
We’re both panting as I wrap my arms around her sweat-slicked skin, holding her close to me. I can feel the vibration of her heart beating against my chest. I pepper her face with soft kisses, whispering how much I love her.
“Devin,” she rasps, her voice heavy with desire and awe. “No one else has ever made me feel this way. I don’t have words to properly describe it. And it’s more than that—you have saved me in every way it’s possible to save a person.”
I lean back a little, still buried inside her, not willing to forgo the connection yet. Peering deep into her eyes, I brush damp hair back off her face. “I do. We fit together in every conceivable way. We always have. We just get one another. We were meant to be together. There’s never been any doubt in my mind about that.”
She smiles broadly. “Nor mine. When I looked at my future, it was always you.”
Gently, I pull out of her sweet body, kissing her lips softly. Then I reach over, removing the black velvet-covered box from my bedside table. I kneel up in front of her, watching her eyes go wide. “I wanted to do this smoother. I had a huge romantic proposal all planned out, but I can’t wait any longer. I love you, Ange. I love you so, so much. You’re my forever girl. Marry me, baby doll. Be my wife.” I flick the box open, and the large diamond sparkles in the dim lighting of the room. “Make me the happiest man on the planet.”
She grabs my face, tears coursing down her cheeks. “Yes, Devin. Yes, I’ll marry you. I want to be your wife. Nothing would make me happier or prouder.”
Then we’re both crying and hugging one another, kissing and laughing, and it’s the best fucking moment of my life. “Here,” I say, removing the ring from the box. “Let me put it on you.”
“Wait,” she says, squinting to inspect the ring. “What does the inscription say?”
I hold it up for her, until she can read the etching on the inside of the band.
“Always remember,” she whispers.
I nod as I reach out to touch the small locket she still wears around her neck. “I asked you once before to never forget what you meant to me.” I gulp, choked with emotion as I slide the ring on her finger. It’s a perfect fit, as I knew it would be. “Now I’m asking you to always remember. I need you to remember what we’ve been through to get to this point.” I look into her eyes, rapidly filling up again. “Because we’ve been through a lot, but it’s shaped us as individuals, defined our relationship, strengthened our bond, and made us who we are today.” I trace one finger over the tattoo on her wrist. “While some of those memories aren’t pleasant, it’s part of our story, and we should always remember how hard we both fought to find our way back to one another. How much we’ve sacrificed for our love.”
“Devin,” she whispers, touching my face as tears blur her vision. “No proposal could ever be more romantic. No man more perfect. I will love you till my dying day.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Angelina
I’m floating on a cloud the next morning, ecstatic over Devin’s proposal, and still reeling from the most magical night of my life. For a reformed bad boy, Devin sure has turned out all sweet. Mom screamed down the phone when we called her to tell her our good news. Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly love Devin anymore, she explained how he looked after her in my absence and how he attended dinner religiously ever Sunday for years. I cried when she told him she’d always considered him a son, but she was looking forward to making it official now.
I leave them chatting when the doorbell chimes, moving to open the front door. A stunning brunette stands on the top step, frowning a little as she regards me. She recovers quickly, offering me a smile. “Oh, hello. I was looking for Devin. Does he still live here?”
I nod cautiously. “He’s on a call. Can I help? I’m his fiancée.” It gives me enormous pleasure to say the word.
Her frown disappears, and a huge smile lights up her face. “I wasn’t aware he’d gotten engaged. That’s fantastic news. Congratulations.”
Any anxiety I was feeling washes away at her genuine expression. “Thank you. I’m over the moon.”
“He’s a great guy.”
“I know. I’m very lucky.”
She hands me two white envelopes. “I’m sure he’s very lucky too. These were delivered to my house in error.” She glances over her shoulder, pointing at the house across the way. “Myself and my husband live there. I’m Gwyneth, by the way.” She offers me her hand, and I shake it. “I probably should’ve opened with that!” She laughs, a soft tinkling sound. “Anyway, my husband travels a lot for business, and I usually go with him. We’ve been away for the last two months which is why I’m only giving you these now. Hope they weren’t important.”
“No problem. Thank you, and I’m Angelina.”
“Nice to meet you,” she says, before backing up. “We’ll have you over to dinner one night. Get to know each other properly.” She waves. “Tell Devin I said hi and congratulations.”
I turn the envelopes over as I pad back to the living room, frowning as I stop the same attorney’s stamp on the back of both letters. One is addressed to me, and one is addressed to Devin.
“Who was at the door?” he asks, tugging me into his arms. “And why have they put that frown on your face?”
“It was your neighbor, Gwyneth, and she didn’t put the frown on my face. These letters did.” I hand him his, and recognition dawns on his face.
“I wondered what had happened to those letters your mom mailed.”
“Ah.” I remember now.
He takes a letter opener out, slitting both envelopes on top. Taking my hand, he pulls me down onto the couch, and we read side by side. Bile rises in my throat as I scan the correspondence from Ayden’s attorney. “What does this mean?” I whisper, clutching the paper in my fist.
