With all my heart

Chapter 140: With all my heart

ETHAN

The soft hum of the television filled the living room as I scrolled through my phone absentmindedly.

The news anchor’s voice droned on about economic fluctuations, political scandals—nothing that interested me. That was until I heard Smith Cole’s name.

I glanced up at the screen. The bold letters at the bottom of the screen made my eyebrows lift.

“BREAKING NEWS: BUSINESS TYCOON SMITH COLE FOUND DEAD IN PRISON CELL”

I sat up, the remote slipping from my fingers.

“According to sources, Smith Cole was found unresponsive in his cell early this morning. While initial reports suggest suicide, investigations are still ongoing.”

I grabbed my phone and immediately dialed Greg.

He picked up after two rings. “I was wondering how long it’d take you to call.”

I didn’t waste time. “Did you hear the news?”

Greg chuckled. “I knew the news before the news knew.”

I froze. “Damn, don’t tell me you were behind this.”

There was a pause then he responded in the most casual tone, Greg said, “I’m busy, Ethan. We’ll talk later.”

And just like that, he hung up.

I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. Of course, Greg wasn’t going to admit anything. But I knew him. He wasn’t the kind of man to leave loose ends, and Smith Cole was the biggest loose end of them all.

Before I could dwell on it, I felt warm arms wrap around my waist from behind.

It was Mia.

She rested her head against my back, her fingers spread across my chest. “What’s with the deep frown?” she murmured.

I turned to face her, and for a moment, everything else faded. Her brown eyes look deeper, richer. She was breathtaking.

God, how did I get so lucky?

I cupped her face, running my thumb along her cheek. “Just some news.”

She sighed, stepping closer until our bodies were pressed together. “Good or bad?”

“Depends on how you look at it,” I said vaguely, not wanting to ruin the moment.

She didn’t push. That was one of the things I loved about her—she knew when to ask questions and when to just let me be.

And right now, all I could think about was her.

I swallowed hard, my heart hammering. I had been thinking about this moment for weeks. Practicing what I would say, imagining her reaction, planning every single detail.

Now that she was in front of me, I realized something.

Screw the perfect setting, screw the elaborate plan. This was about us and that was all that mattered.

I took her hands in mine and kissed her knuckles, my voice steady despite the nerves swirling in my stomach. “Mia.”

She tilted her head, smiling softly. “Hmm?”

“I love you,” I started, my chest tightening. “And I don’t mean the casual, ‘I love you’ people throw around. I mean the kind of love that shakes you to your core. The kind that makes you want to be better, even when you don’t know how.”

Her lips parted slightly, “what's going on Ethan?”

I raised my fingers to her lips. “I love you when you’re happy, when you’re sad, when you’re mad at me for reasons I don’t understand.” I smirked, trying to lighten the moment, and she let out a breathless laugh.

I pulled something out of my pocket, my fingers trembling slightly as I got down on one knee.

Her hands flew to her mouth.

“Now that the divorce with Emily has been finalized, I wanted to do this in some grand way, but the truth is, there’s nothing grander than just having you with me. You’re my home, Mia. So…” I opened the small velvet box, revealing the ring I had spent weeks picking out. “Marry me. Let’s make it official forever.”

For a long second, she just stared. Then, her eyes welled with tears, and she nodded frantically. “Yes. Yes, Ethan. With all my heart, yes.”

A grin broke across my face as I slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly.

I stood, and before I could say anything, she threw herself into my arms, pressing her lips to mine. I kissed her back with everything I had.

I reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger against her soft skin. “You have no idea what you do to me,” I murmured, my voice lower than I intended.

She smiled, a little shy but full of mischief. “Then maybe you should show me.”

That was all the invitation I needed. I cupped her face, tilting it up as I leaned in, capturing her lips with mine again. This time slowly like we were teasing each other, as if we had all the time in the world because we did. She sighed against my mouth, her hands sliding up my chest.

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her against me until there was no space left between us then I carried her. Her fingers tangled in my hair, her body molding against mine as the kiss turned desperate, consuming.

I pressed her against the wall, my lips trailing down her jaw to her neck, tasting, savoring. She gasped, her nails digging into my shoulders, sending a thrill through me.

“Ethan…” she whispered, her breath warm against my skin.

I pulled back just enough to look at her, my thumb brushing against her swollen lips. “You’re dangerous, you make me do the things I didn't think I could do, feel the things I didn't think were possible.” I said, grinning.

She laughed, her arms still around my neck. “You love it.”

When we pulled apart, I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and whispered, “I promise you heaven on earth.”

She chuckled through her tears. “That’s a big promise.”

“Then I’ll promise you the universe.” I grinned. “And if that’s not enough, I’ll throw in free unlimited kisses.”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “You’re such a cheeseball.”

“You love this ball.” I said, motioning to my balls.

She laughed, pressing her forehead against mine. “I do.”

This was our moment, the beginning of our forever.

AUTHOR'S NOTE!

Hi guys, every story has an end and we just reached the end of this one, it's been quite a journey! And if you made it here I'm grateful for your support. Her Dangerous Desires was a story filled with drama, twists, love, and family issues and I’m so grateful you came along for the ride. Thank you for reading, supporting, and believing in these characters. Stay tuned for more captivating stories. I'm going to miss Greg and Ethan. They're my favorite characters. Leave a comment with your fav!😉