Mrs. Larsen

The mighty Adrian Larsen, my boss/boyfriend, was down on his one knee before me. Those electric blue oceans were so intense that I couldn't dart my gaze away.

My heart raced in my chest, my mouth went dry.

"A-adrian…What are you doing?"

Is he going to…

"Doing what I should've done a long time ago." His voice was deep, etched with grave seriousness.

To my surprise, a nervousness flickered in his eyes for a moment before he composed himself. Taking my hand in his, he took a deep breath, holding my gaze.

"You know, the moment I saw you in that bar months ago I knew you were a trouble. A beautiful trouble that could turn my life upside down. When you teased me and I decided to chase you until you were mine, I knew you could be my destruction. But I didn't care," he said. "To be honest, I wanted that destruction more than anything. And you did, you destroyed every wall and belief I built around my heart for years." Raising my hand, he then kissed my knuckles. "You made me addicted to you, Sofia. Like a drug that I couldn't stay away from. So addicted that at the mere thought of losing you makes me go crazy. Because now this caveman of yours can't live without his tigress. Without the girl he loves the most in this entire world."

My heart stopped beating in my chest for a moment. A shaky breath escaped through my lips.

D-did I hear what he said? Did he say that he...loved me? The words I had been yearning to hear from his lips?

A strong emotion slammed on my heart as tears blurred my vision. Sheer happiness burst in every pore of my skin. My heartbeat that slowed down now pounded down my ribcage.

Love and affection were translucent in those electric blue eyes as he said, "I love you, Sofia. I love you so fucking much that without seeing you, without touching you, I can't even spend some hours. Something…" The place between his brows creased. "Something aches in my chest when you're not around. I crave you every single second of my life now."

A tear rolled down my cheek. "Adrian…"

He shook his head, cutting me off.

"Right now, I only want to hear one word from your mouth. And that's a 'Yes'. Now that I finally have the guts to tell you how much I love you, I want to bind you to me forever. So that no one can steal you from me. So, Ms. McCommer," with his gaze still locked with mine, he took out a small red velvety box from his pocket, "will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

I let out a gasp.

Once he opened the box, a beautiful diamond ring that sat in the middle came into my view.

"Will you marry me, my love?"

With my lips parted, tears rolling down my cheeks and a warm sensation of unexplainable felicity bursting in my heart, I couldn't do or speak anything but stare at the love of my life wanting to spend the rest of his life with me. It felt like the world around us stopped for a moment. All I could see was him asking for my hand and those electric blue eyes that shone with love. Love for me.

When I couldn't utter a word in shock, surprise and happiness, an uncertainty flashed across his features. Soon followed a flicker of fear.

Fear?

Fear of my rejection?

But he was Adrian T Larsen. Covering his emotions with a tick of his jaw, he pulled me closer. His fingers gripped my hand firmly as he ordered.

"Say yes!" His lips pressed tight.

Even though with his control, the emotions still lurked around his blue irises.

But instead of irritation at his act of dominance, a chuckle left my lips. Where I used to find this nature of his intolerable, I found it adorable now.

Because when I fell for him, I fell in love with every shade of him.

"What if I say no?" wiping my cheeks, I asked.

A displeased frown. "Why would you say that? You're mine anyway. You will be my wife whether you say yes or not."

I raised a brow. "What's the point of proposing then?"

Those blue eyes softened a bit. "Because… my love deserves every special thing in this world."

Something soared in my heart. Could I love this arrogant dominant man before me any more than I already did?

"I'm waiting for your answer here, love. Don't torture me anymore."

My lips twitched at the corner. "You will marry me whether I say yes or no. Then why take the trouble to give any answer?"

"Sofia," he warned. A desperation laced in his voice. For my answer.

Tears burned my vision again. My heart didn't allow me to torture this man before me anymore. So not wasting more time, I held his gaze as a whisper left my lips.

"Yes."

His posture froze for a moment. "What? S-say it again?"

Did Adrian Larsen just stutter?

As if desperate to hear the answer, he stood up and pulled me flush against him.

Cupping my cheeks, he leaned down to my eye level. "Say it again, love."

A face splitting grin spread across my lips. "Yes! I will marry you."

A shaky breath escaped him. Tension left his shoulders as he rested his forehead against mine. "Say it again."

Placing a gentle kiss on his lips, I uttered the words again. "Yes, Mr. Larsen. I will marry you and be your wife."

And when the dimpled smile that spread wide across his achingly beautiful features, I stopped breathing for the umpteenth time of the night.

Snaking a possessive hand around my waist, he then slammed his lips on mine, taking my mouth in a ravishing kiss. With my knees getting weak at the intensity of the kiss, I gripped his broad shoulders tightly.

And he didn't let me breathe until he devoured every corner of my mouth.

When he finally pulled away, he littered kisses all over my face.

"My wife," he whispered. Electric blue eyes shone with unmasked happiness. An emotion so strong I didn't see in his gaze before this night.

I nodded. "Your wife. Yours."

Pulling me for another kiss, he then plucked the ring out of the box and slid it on my ring finger.

It fit perfectly.

I was awestruck with the ring. Never had I ever seen a ring so simple yet so gorgeous.

It's figure was adorned with beautifully crafted metal leaves and flowers. And the round cut diamond sat proudly on the crown with small petals surrounding its bottom.

"It looks more beautiful on your finger than I thought it would." Raising my hand, he kissed my knuckles again before holding my gaze. "Thank you."

"For what?" I leaned in his arms.

"For making me the luckiest man on earth," he said, sincerity laced deep in his voice.

"Thank you too."

A dark brow raised. "For what?"

For giving me the love I never thought I would get in this lifetime.

But instead, I looked down at my ring. "For this beautiful ring. I love it!"

An offended look etched on his features. But the mirth still existed in his eyes. "After everything I did for you tonight, even after I bared my heart before you, you're only mentioning the ring?"

I giggled. "Yes."

Chuckling, he kissed my nose. "My dear soon to be Mrs. Larsen, you're turning into a bad girl day by day. Don't you think we should do something about it?"

The dark desire that suddenly flashed across his blue pools, sent a shiver down my body. The recollection of last night's punishment burnt something deep inside me.

"I think we should. What punishment will I get for being a bad girl?" I rasped, licking my lips.

With his dark gaze following the act, he let out a husky groan. "A punishment that you will beg for more…"

When he nuzzled my neck, I let out a breath of content. His exotic cologne filled my nostrils as I snuggled into his chest.

Love or lust, only he could give me my fill of them. Only he could awake the deepest emotions and stir the darkest desires in my heart.

I closed my eyes in his warmth. "I love you."

His arms tightened around me. "I love you more."

***

"Oh my God! What is that?"

I cringed at the sudden shriek of my best friend near my ear. Stepping away from the kitchen countertop where I was chopping some mushrooms, helping Mom and Marie with the preparation of the dinner, I looked at her. They had arrived just after I and Adrian came down from the rooftop terrace.

With eyes wide, mouth agape, her gaze glued to my hand.

"What?" Frowning, when I followed her line of sight, the shining diamond on my finger came into my view.

Oh!

"What is it now, Laura? Are you trying to turn me into deaf before the actual time?" Marie sent a look of reprimand to Laura before going back to her cake batter.

At my best friend's knowing look with a teasing smile dancing at the corner of her mouth, blood rushed to my cheeks.

I didn't inform anyone about the change of my relationship status yet, from girlfriend to fiance. Because we decided to reveal this good news at the dinner where the whole family would be present. But it seemed like the sparkling stone couldn't escape my best friend's hawk eyes.

"Oh trust me, Marie. You won't be deaf. But I can't assure you if you wouldn't faint out of happiness if you know the reason behind my excitement," said Laura.

"What is it, honey?" asked Mom. "What is Laura talking about…" A gasp. "Oh my! Is that a ring on your finger, Sofia?"

Touching the diamond, I cleared my throat. The heat on my cheeks only spread further. The realization that I was engaged to the love of my life still sent flutteres to my stomach.

"Uh, yes…"

"A ring?" Rushing to my side, Marie grasped my hand. Her eyes widened as felicity soon burst on her features. "Oh my God! I knew it! I knew that boy was smitten with you. See, he has now put a ring on your finger!"

Meeting Mom's gaze, I smiled. "He proposed tonight. And… I said yes."

Letting out a sigh of happiness, she pulled me into her arms.

"He confessed, Mom. H-he finally said it," I whispered in the crook of her neck, blinking away the burn of emotions in my eyes. A warm sensation still ran through my whole body whenever I remembered him saying those three magical words to me.

"Oh, honey! I'm so happy for you!" Pulling away, she placed a kiss on my forehead. "Didn't I tell you that if you truly loved each other, nothing could stop you from coming together? See, my baby is engaged with the love of her life now. I knew it was gonna happen sooner or later."

A wide grin spread across my lips as I nodded, sniffling.

"I didn't even notice when you grew up so much. You're now going to get married soon." The crack in Marie's voice made me turn to her.

"We haven't decided anything yet. So don't be that emotional now." I pulled her in a short warm hug. Her familiar scent of sandalwood filled my nostrils.

"Oh God! You guys are behaving like she already got married and it's time for her farewell. Even if that thing exists these days!" Laura rolled her eyes balls. "Now move, you oldies, and let me hug my girl." Removing Mom and aunt from my sides, she gathered me in her arms. "Ah, my dream will finally come true. You remember your promise, don't you?"

Wheezing, I somehow managed to speak through my teeth. "You will be the godmother of my child if only you don't kill their mother with your brilliant way of embracing! Now let go!"

Getting a hint of my burning lungs, thankfully, she freed me from her vice grip.

"You better remember your promise! Now I gotta go! Need to announce the good news to everyone!" Gushing, she flew out of the kitchen. And Marie soon followed her. She needed to inform our relatives and close friends.

I shook my head.

My family was crazy.

Mom's clearing her throat caught my attention. The look in her eyes didn't make me that comfortable.

"So, speaking of babies, now that you guys are staying together…" She trailed off. "You know, I never got to do the 'talk' with you as this is the first time you ever got involved with a boy."

Oh God! Please tell me she isn't going to do that 'talk' with me right now.

"Mom..."

"Are you guys using protection?"

I stared at her with disbelief.

"Mom!" Hissing under my breath, I glanced around.

Some guards were parading around here and there. But thank God, they weren't giving any attention.

"Lower your voice, will you?"

"Well, are you?" Her voice was down this time, her eyes held seriousness. "You know, you're very young to be a mother now. So I don't think it's a very good idea to be that careless, sweetheart."

Oh God! Can it be anymore embarrassing?

Now I have to discuss with my mother if my fiance is using an extremely private accessory of men while he is getting, uh, intimate with me?

Well, the answer was no. Because my stubborn insatiable man despised wearing condoms. He didn't want any kind of barrier between us. But I couldn't just tell that to her.

"Don't worry, I'm on the pill."

"So the answer is no then." The corner of her mouth twitched. "But are you sure this is a hundred percent safe? You know, I heard..."

"Mom!" I groaned.

Although, deep down, thinking about some little Adrians running around the house did something in my belly.

I gave myself an inner shake. Too young to be a mother, remember?

But I didn't think a girl soon to be turning twenty-four was too young for that.

"I'm just looking out for you, sweetheart. It's not that I don't want some adorable grandchildren to play with, it's one of my dreams. But I just want you to be careful. You're quite young for that."

"I know, Mom. Don't worry, I'm careful." Not wanting to have any more conversation regarding this subject, I decided to take my leave. "Uh, I need to discuss something with Adrian. I will be back in a few."

Letting out a sigh, she nodded. And I didn't waste a second before fleeing out of there and heading off to find Adrian.

I haven't seen him since everyone arrived.

My steps came to a halt when my yearning gaze finally found him.

But a frown soon took place between my brows as I regarded his features.

Electric blue eyes were narrowed into slits as they threw murderous glare at the door, or should I say at the person who stood there.

A grin appeared on my face.

"John!" Rushing to him, I threw my arms around his big frame.

Chuckling, he returned the bear hug.

"Hello, Ms. McCommer. How are you doing?"

Pulling away, I nodded. "I'm good. I almost thought you wouldn't come. I missed you so much."

He flashed me a kind smile. "Me too."

A pair of strong arms snaked around my waist and pulled me back in a warmth I knew very well.

Looking up, I found the love of my life's face contorted with displeasure and anger. "What is he doing here?"

There was another question behind his furious blue eyes.

'Why the hell are you hugging him like that?'

"I think Boss isn't that happy to see me here, Ms. McCommer," said John, casting a look at Adrian.

"I'm not your boss. In case you forgot, I fired you. You don't work for me anymore." Snapping out, he looked down at me again. "I'm asking you again, what is he doing here?"

Blinking my lashes with full of innocence, I gave him my sweetest smile. "I invited him for dinner."

"And may I know why?"

"What why? He is family. So of course he will join our family dinner."

His lips pursed. Sharp jaw ticked. "Since when did that happen?"

"When you were in Norway, away from all the ties you needed to rekindle," replied John, igniting a lethal heat in Adrian's blue orbs.

"John!" My voice held a warning.

Raising his hands in the air, he threw me a look of apology while Adrian just stood there, silently burning his former best friend with his gaze. He didn't say anything though. He knew John wasn't wrong

To cut the tension in the air, I cleared my throat.

"Where is Lilly and Maggie?"

"They're coming. They needed to buy gifts for you and your family before arriving here," John replied.

I hadn't met Liam's mom, Maggie, yet. But I did meet Lilly many times. But that didn't tame down the flutter of nervousness in my tummy. After all, it was going to be the first time I would meet my future in-laws officially.

When John walked inside the house, leaving us alone, I threw a look at Adrian, playing with the ring on my finger.

Sensing my nervousness, he pulled me in his chest. And I snuggled.

"Don't worry, baby. There's nothing to be nervous about. Everything is going to be fine."

His deep voice was soothing. But that didn't wash away my anxiety completely. Not to forget this would be the first time Lilly would come face to face with Sinister after years. And then there was Adrian.

I sincerely hoped this family reunion and dinner wouldn't turn into a disaster.