Chapter 40-3

His answer surprised her, and Claire couldn’t help but laugh at the incredulity of it. Heath was amazing. Ever since he had stepped foot into Bishop Lodgings, he had done nothing else but surprise her. At times, he seemed serious, cocky, and even annoying. But in the end, Heath Bishop was just a big softy who was more down-to-earth than she had initially expected. And Claire loved him. “What does the H engraved in the ring stand for?” Heath was confused from the question. “What else?” Claire chuckled. “It could stand for hotel and still make sense. Love Hotel Bishop.” “I’m the one who bought the ring and proposed to you, not Bishop Lodgings.” Heath replied flatly before he muttered to himself, “Are you purposely making me jealous of a hotel?” Again, she laughed from his words. “If I marry you, wouldn’t that technically make Bishop Lodgings mine as well?” Heath twitched before he sighed. “Oh, I see now. That was your goal from the start, wasn’t it? I should’ve known you would love the hotel more than me from the time we were at Layton Gardens.” “Hm…” Claire murmured as she turned around in his arms. “Layton Gardens brings up something else for me.” He raised a brow. “Such as?” She leaned up with a smile on her lips as she kissed him. Heath’s own lips curved at the edges as well from her move as he kissed her back. It only took them a few seconds before the kiss turned heated—similar to the one they shared by the fountain of Layton Gardens. Heath pressed his hand into the small of Claire’s back, pulling her closer as he devoured her lips. Claire reached up and brushed her fingers against his jaw, causing a shiver to rack from his body. They leaned their foreheads against each other as they caught their breaths. “I see.” Heath breathed with his eyes downturned. Claire’s tongue flickered out as she brushed her lips against his, then moved to his jawline. She rubbed her cheek against him and the prickles of his beard tickled her smooth skin. Her breath fanned against him, and Heath could barely hold himself back from completely letting loose. “Claire…” he began. Perhaps he didn’t have to ask the question, but he had to officially say it and receive her answer. “Will you marry me?” She stared into his eyes. “Ask me that question again in another five months.” Her words didn’t seem to want to process in Heath’s mind, but he forcefully made them. “What? Why?” “Doesn’t six months sound like a rational amount of time for two adults to decide whether marriage is right for them or not?” Then Claire held up her hand and flashed the ring in front of his face. “Until then, I’ll hold onto the ring and keep it here, just like this.” Heath blinked. “Are you technically saying yes?” “Did you hear that word come from my lips?” Her blunt words confused Heath, yet they made him hope for something that seemed out of reach. “Just say it.” When she remained stubborn and didn’t, Heath narrowed his eyes at her slightly. “Are you toying with my emotions?” She sighed. “I, Claire Sparks, have been conquered by a man in less than a month. Do you know how big a blow that is to my pride? I thought that if I ever did find a guy I wanted to marry, it’d be after I dated him for years, established each other’s habits, and accepted the way we naturally were. But here you are, telling me that you’ll accept me no matter who I am, in less than a month.” Heath muttered to himself, “I knew something like this would happen.” “Oh, did you?” Claire asked, genuinely curious. He gazed at her with sharp eyes. “I don’t know who this man you imagined to be your husband, but I’m not him. I’m the real thing, and I don’t want to wait for years to do something that can be done right now. I know who you are, Claire. I’ve seen your good and bad sides plenty of times and have accepted both. I don’t want to waste time. I want to make you mine as soon as possible.” His words nearly left Claire breathless. Good thing she was used to his cheesy lines. Mostly—she couldn’t stop the goose bumps that rose on her arms though. Unfortunately, Heath noticed them as well because his hands slid over her arms. “I love you, Claire.” He whispered, causing more goose bumps and a shiver down her spine. “I didn’t make a grand proposal exactly because of this, but now that I know your answer, I wish I would’ve prepared a fancy one so you wouldn’t be able to refuse.” “Trying to make me guilty, huh?” she snorted before admitting, “It would’ve probably worked too. But now I’m even more firm in my answer. Wait five more months, and if we aren’t sick of each other yet, then I’ll give you the answer you want.” Heath’s lips twitched. “You’re so stubborn.” She raised a challenging eyebrow. “Does that tire you?” “Of course it does. But it won’t stop me from trying to convince you into saying yes before the five months is over. It’ll be fun.” Claire laughed. “You’re just going to play along?” “Haven’t I been playing to your tune for a while now? A few more weeks won’t make a difference.” Then he leaned down and whispered, “But just tell me this…what will your answer be in the end?” She pursed her lips. “How can I refuse a proposal from the man I love? You already know what my answer will be.” “Can I ask you to give me more assurance?” he asked with a gleam in his eyes. “Stay the night, Claire.” “Again? I’m kind of sore from last night though.” She teased, but immediately tensed when he made his move. Heath’s hands snaked around her hips and he ran his fingers up her spine while his other hand cupped her bottom and molded her flesh in his palm. “I’ll be extra gentle tonight and prepare you thoroughly.” Memories from last night flashed in Claire’s head and she recollected everything that the two of them did, causing a new flame to burst inside her. She was hot and her body ached for Heath, just like last night. “What will your answer be?” he asked innocently in a husky voice, and Claire stared into his eyes, seeing the double meaning to his words. She chuckled and wrapped her arms around his neck before tugging him down for another kiss. Then she whispered sweetly, “Yes.”