Chapter 78 Ring
Russo
"So you're saying you're okay with it now?" I ask her.
"I enjoy being a potter, but it doesn't define my entire being. I exist separately from it. I don't know if you understand that?" she asks.
"Yes, I understand, Princess." More than she ever will. I understand better than anyone that I have a means of salvation, and I mustn't let it control you or manage you. I mustn't allow myself to become dependent on it.
We spend the rest of the evening eating and talking. I can't remember the last time I did something so homely. But it's worth it. I tell myself it's worth it. Otherwise, everything I've ever wanted, everything I've built, will collapse.
There can't be any other reason.
Our engagement is in a week. Rose was in her bedroom when I knocked on her door. It's quite late, but I was hoping to do this today and get it over with. When she opens it, my breath catches. The moonlight plays on her skin, reflecting in the open window of her room.
It makes her glow. Waves of her hair spill across her face. She's wearing only a thin tank top that barely conceals the rise and fall of her breasts.
"Enzo?" she asks. "What are you doing here?"
Besides that first day, she's never been in my bedroom, and vice versa. Even though our rooms are very close together.
"I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
"Of course," she says, stepping away from the door.
I enter the large room, and the door slams behind me. My gaze darts around the room, but I barely notice anything, and I turn to look at her. I can't help but stare at her. I clench my jaw, trying to distract myself from her nipples, hard and visible under her T-shirt.
Her eyes widen when she notices. She blushes, grabbing a robe from the corner of the bed. I don't stop her as she pulls it on.
Much better. At least now I can focus on what I came here for.
"Remember how you said you wanted this marriage to work?" I ask her.
She nods, her expression growing increasingly concerned.
"Well, I'll take that as a sign that you don't have as many doubts as you did when you first moved here. I tried to give you a little time to get used to life here, but I think we've wasted enough time."
"What are you talking about?" she asks softly.
"Here," I offer her a small velvet box.
She takes it from my hands, and I watch as she opens it. "Holy shit."
I let out a laugh. "I thought we could get officially engaged."
She looks at me, something vulnerable in the depths of her eyes.
"Enzo, this ring... it's beautiful," she breathes. "I didn't expect anything like this."
"It belonged to my mother," I tell her. "I pulled it out of our family vault today. She was the last person to wear it. Before she... she died. And now I want you to wear it. Regardless of our beginnings and the reason for this marriage, you will be my wife, and I want to lay a solid foundation for our legacy. Besides, she would want you to wear this at your birthday.”
Rose nods, her face still stunned. When her eyes meet mine, I know she's touched.
"Damn, Enzo. I didn't know you had a romantic side," she mutters.
"I'm certainly not getting down on one knee," I said.
"Of course," she repeats with a slight smile. "But you could wear this, today is my birthday."
She hands me the box and extends her hand. I swallow before taking her hand. Very carefully, I slip the ring off and place it on her finger. It's a small diamond with tiny sapphires around the edges. I imagine it must have cost a fortune, and that's without taking into account the sentimental value attached to it.
I almost didn't give her that. I convinced myself to buy her another ring instead. But she's worth it. I need her to be worth it.
When her gaze rises to mine, a wave of lust runs through me. And then Rose makes it even worse.
"Traditionally, all that remains is a kiss," she says softly. "To seal the deal."
"To seal the deal," I repeat, amused.
Panic flares in her blue eyes.
"Of course, it's not necessary. I just... I wanted us to at least..." She stops rambling and runs a hand over her eyes. "Just forget it. You can go," she mumbles.
"Rose," her name sounds rough, with a hint of desire. "Shut up."
I pull her closer and count my heartbeats. We both pause, expectant. I try to convince myself this is a mistake, to convince myself not to do this. My hand runs over the diamond on her finger. Her breath escapes.
I really shouldn't do this.
But in the end, when her hazy gaze meets mine, and I see my own lust reflected in it, I know I have no choice.
Control be damned. My hand rises to her face, and I lower my head, capturing her lips with mine.