Ninety eight

Ninety eight
HAZEL STYLES POV

I woke up to a room filled with sweet-smelling, brightly colored flowers.

Admiring the burst of color in the room, I shifted onto my side and froze as my eyes locked onto Riven's from the chair facing my bed. His lips curved into a smile, his gaze trained on me with an unnerving intensity that had my heart skipping a beat when he slowly pushed forward.

"Riven" I gasped, and he got up from the chair, the suddenness of it sending a jolt of electricity through my body and making my breath catch in my throat as he dropped his hand on either side of me and leaned in.

"Good morning beautiful. Did you sleep well?"

His deep rumbly voice had my heart doing a flip in my chest.

Color rushed up my cheeks and I glanced away from him as I blushed. "Yes," I whispered, dragging in air into my lungs before forcing myself to meet his gaze. "Did you?"

He inched closer, one of his hands lifting to stroke my hair, and then he tucked a stray strand behind my ear, his touch light and gentle. "I did. Watching you sleep was the medicine I needed to cure my insomnia."

I stared at him, my throat too clogged for words.

He grinned, his hand caressing my cheek. "I missed you so much, Hazel. I'm happy you're doing so much better now"

"Me too" I whispered, the jumble of emotions swirling in my chest overwhelming. I took in a shaky breath to calm down. "When did you get all these flowers in here?" I asked.

His eyes darted to the flowers."I got them while you were asleep. I went to a flower shop and handpicked them myself."

"You did?"I asked and his eyes cut back to me.

"Yes," he nodded. "Your room smelled too much of drugs, so I got them to add more color to the room and clear the air," he said then cupped my face, his hand tilting my head back a bit. "Also, you deserve all the beautiful flowers in the world. Do you like them?"

I puckered my lips, my eyes slipping shut.

His soft, bemused chuckle reached my ear, and then he pressed his lips against mine, the kiss short and sweet.

My eyes drifted open, locking into warm russet ones that held me captive. Time seemed to stop, the world narrowing to the space between us as if nothing else existed.

Riven blinked, his lashes fanning his eyes beautifully, eyes that were filled with so much love and longing that it made my heart ache. But it was a good ache. I wanted to drown in them.

God, how did I manage to stay away from him for so long?

"Do you like them, baby" he repeated, his voice softer.

My mouth went dry, my heart hammering in my chest. "I love them very much," I answered, licking my lips.

His eyes lingered hungrily, then he took my hand.

"I'm glad you do," he said and kissed my knuckles, his touch making my heart race.

I reached up tentatively, my eyes roaming over his face. "Have I ever told you, you have the prettiest eyes ever?" I whispered, tracing the arch of his nose with my fingertip, my breath hitching as he sucked in a sharp breath.

"No, you haven't"

I grinned, caressing his cheekbones before reaching up to pat his hair gently. He leaned down, his smile stretching.

"That feels really good" he murmured, his voice breathy.

"You like it," I asked, loving the effect I had on him.

He nodded, throwing off my rhythm, and then he grabbed my hand and looked up at me.

"You should move in with me. You said you were going to think about it back then and get back to me, but then..." he paused, his brows furrowing.

I stared at him hating that he was probably remembering what had happened to me.

Was he also blaming himself for it?

He looked away, his brows dipping. "I shouldn't demand anything from you—"

"—but you want your answer now" I finished, and his eyes flicked to mine, all wild and desperate.

"Yes. We're back together after everything that happened, and I just want to be by your side. I don't want us to spend another minute apart." His gaze held mine, his voice dark and sensual. "I want to feel your warmth and smell you on my bed every day I wake up... I want to have you in my own space and not just this hospital room"

My eyes flared at his words, my neck pricking with heat as memories of what we'd done in this very room flashed in my head, making my heart beat a frantic pace.

I looked away quickly, biting on my lips to calm down, before meeting his gaze again.

Smiling at my reaction, he pressed another kiss to my hand and then let go.

Then he reached inside his pocket and brought out a box, his hands lingering on the beautiful engraving on the lid before he opened it, revealing a stunning Amber ring that glowed warmly in the light.

I gaped at him as he glanced up from the ring and met my gaze, his eyes filled with a mix of nervousness and adoration. "I was going to wait to do this, but I don't think I can hold it off any longer, baby. I don't only want you to move in with me, Hazel, I want you to be mine forever. Marry me, Hazel, let's spend forever together"

I stared at him, my chest burning from lack of oxygen as he placed the ring on my finger. It was beautiful and it fit perfectly.

He leaned in, his intense gaze digging into mine. "Say you will" he urged, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

I sucked in a breath, almost choking on the rush of air.

"Don't you think we are moving too fast?" I breathed, loving the way his gaze dropped to my lips before flicking back up to my eyes. "Are you doing this because you're scared someone might try to steal me from you"

He smirked as he watched me, mischief twinkling in his eyes. "Could anyone dare to take you from me? Also, I don't think there's any space left in your heart for anyone else. I know I've filled up every bit of it" he said, his hands caressing my face. "If you won't move in with me, then I'll have to move in with you. If you won't marry me, I'll have to marry you. There's no in-between." he grinned, and I laughed, the sound spilling out of my lungs heartily.

"Do I have a choice then" I got out, and he nodded, the sparkle in his eyes getting brighter.

"Yes, you do, little rabbit. You have a choice to marry me," he said, his eyes narrowing, then he inched closer, the moment suddenly becoming more charged up with desire that had my pulse racing. I wanted to kiss him badly, I wanted to relieve everything that happened last night.

"Fine. I'll move in with you. I'll marry you," I heard myself say as I moved closer, my lips grazing his and sending sparks flying like the Fourth of July.

He kissed me hard, his hand tangling in my hair as his tongue plunged into my mouth, and then he pushed me back against the bed, his weight pressing down on me as he climbed over me.

The sound of something crashing to the floor had us jerking apart, our gaze whipping in the direction of the door.

My eyes widened as they locked onto those of Raphael, where he stood at the front of the door, holding a bouquet in his hand, his eyes filled with rage and unshed tears as he stared straight into my soul.