The Ring

ANNA

I was just putting the finishing touches on my makeup when I heard Gavin come in. Despite my earlier uncertainties, I was finally feeling excited about our evening out.

When I heard his heavy footsteps on the stairs, I quickly slipped into my dress and heels. He was just stepping into the bedroom as I finished.

“Wow,” he breathed. His eyes raked over me from head to toe. “Annalise, you look incredible.”

I beamed up at him, and he smirked.

“Can you help me with the last bit of my zipper?” I asked and turned my back to him.

His breath hitched before he gently swept my hair to the side and smoothed out the fabric. The feeling of his fingers on my exposed flesh sent goosebumps over my skin. He slowly secured my dress before placing a kiss at the base of my neck where it met my shoulder.

A low growl rumbled in his throat when I sighed unintentionally.

“We may not even make it to dinner,” he murmured, his strong hands falling to my waist.

“But I’m all dressed up,” I protested with a fake pout.

He groaned and thrust his hips to grind against the small of my back. I sucked in a sharp breath when I felt his rock-hard member, separated only by thin fabric.

I must have subconsciously tensed because he abruptly pulled away and relaxed his grip. When the cold air hit me in his sudden absence, I found myself longing for his touch.

“Give me a second to freshen up, and I’ll meet you downstairs,” he said with a tight smile.

I nodded, and he kissed my temple before hurrying toward the closet. I kicked myself the entire way down the stairs. I wanted him to want me, yet every time we more than kissed, I froze up.

We’d shared a bed multiple times now, for goodness’ sake. And I ~liked~ it. A part of me wanted more from him, but it all felt so fast.

I was twisting my hands nervously when he strode down the stairs. I’d always admired how powerful and confident he looked in a suit. Now I pictured myself taking it off of him as well.

“Ready?” he asked lightly.

“Mm-hmm,” I hummed, pulling myself from my suggestive thoughts.

He grabbed the keys to an Audi and guided me to the elevator.

“Not the Ferrari today?” I asked, only somewhat kidding.

“No.” He shook his head. “I generally don’t like to be seen in anything that conspicuous. Most people don’t recognize who I am. I like to keep it that way.”

“But you buy quite a few vehicles a year,” I pointed out. I’d helped him set up appointments and send off paperwork for a couple dozen in the time I’d worked for him.

He shrugged. “I like cars.”

He pulled open the passenger door of the black coupe, and I climbed in. A moment later, he was starting up the engine.

“To be honest, Annalise,” he said, slipping out of the parking garage, “if there’s something I want, I just buy it. What is the point of all this money if I don’t enjoy it? As my wife, you should do the same.”

“You mean just spend frivolously? Isn’t that how people lose everything?” I asked, confused.

“Baby, I’m worth multiple billions,” he chuckled. “You couldn’t spend it all if you tried. I’m just saying, if there’s something you want, don’t hesitate.”

I thought about it for a moment. “I’d really like a dog,” I murmured.

“A dog?” He seemed puzzled.

“Yeah.” I swallowed and stared out the window. “I had one growing up, but my stepmom was allergic. My dad sent him to live with a family friend after she moved in.”

“Your dad made you give up your dog right after your mom died?” he asked in obvious disbelief. A deep frown formed on his handsome face.

“I still got to visit him,” I hurried to add, feeling somewhat defensive. “But, well, you know…”

I shrugged, letting my thoughts trail off. There wasn’t really a good explanation aside from the fact that my dad really didn’t worry himself with my needs after he met his new wife. Regret at my depressing choice of conversation washed over me.

From the corner of my eye, I watched as Gavin’s hand tightened on the wheel and a muscle ticked in his jaw. He looked furious.

“We’ll get a dog,” he said finally.

“I don’t know that it would be right to keep one locked in the apartment all day,” I admitted. “The pets I had growing up loved to run around my parents’ property. I couldn’t imagine not having a place for them to roll in the grass.”

“The penthouse doesn’t have a ton of outdoor space, but the house I usually stay at on the weekends does.”

His other property was an estate in a city called Millbrook, about two hours outside of Manhattan. The mansion sat on over a thousand acres of untouched land, which also boasted several guest houses, a private lake, and horse stables.

“Don’t you usually head there after work on Fridays?” I jumped at the opportunity to discuss anything other than my family situation.

“Most of the time. But I wanted to take you out tonight. It’s been a crazy week, and I thought maybe you would like time to settle into the penthouse.”

“Okay,” I agreed. Although I felt somewhat disappointed.

The property was something of a mystery, and my curious side was itching to explore. The main house was built in the late 1800s and had only traded owners a few times. The only pictures made public recently were from a wedding Gavin agreed to host for one of his cousins.

“Will we get married there?” I asked suddenly.

“If you want.” He looked less than thrilled at the prospect.

“Well, I want us to both have a say,” I prodded.

“For some reason, I was picturing my place in the Florida Keys,” he answered after a moment. “If that’s not something you’re interested in—”

“No, that sounds perfect.” I smiled. “A beach wedding.”

“Yeah?” He grinned.

“Yeah.” I nodded.

“Well, great,” he said. “I put out some feelers and have a list of planners who are interested. One of them has an office in Florida as well as New York, so that might be convenient.”

“I love it,” I told him with a giggle.

He pulled the car to the valet stand, and an attendant rushed over to help me out. Gavin handed over his keys before slipping an arm around my waist to head into the restaurant.

It was a cute little place, much more my speed than the places I knew he frequented.

We sat outside on the deck near the edge of the water at a candlelit table set for two.

Gavin pulled out my chair before taking his seat, and a cute waitress hustled over with a bottle of wine.

Apparently, my date had already ordered my favorite Chardonnay prior to our arrival.

He took my hand across the table, and I looked into his eyes that danced in the glow of the flame.

“To us.” He raised his glass, and I clinked mine.

“To us.”

We fell into easy conversation.

I thought things might be awkward or strained, given our strange circumstances, but the reality was, Gavin and I had shared a lot of life together.

Though we were strictly professional before, that didn’t mean we were strangers.

We knew a lot of the same people and, for the most part, we knew how the other spent their time.

Dinner was fantastic, and we decided to split dessert.

I was almost positive Gavin never had sugar, but he made an exception for the crème brûlée I was salivating over.

As we were wrapping up, he took my hand.

“Do you want to go look out at the water?” he asked and tilted his head toward a spot near the railing.

“Sure,” I agreed.

Although a part of me was slightly confused since we already had a perfect view from where we were sitting.

Nevertheless, he took my hand, and we walked to the space slightly away from other tables.

He pointed out the Powell Incorporated office building and a couple of other landmarks while I stared up at him.

Even after the years I’d known him, I found his easy charm captivating beyond comparison.

Suddenly, he looked down at me, and his face became unreadable.

“Annalise, I know we signed the contract this morning,” he said in a low voice.

My stomach dropped.

~He wants to call it off~.

For some reason, that felt like a crushing blow.

“But I want you to know that this life doesn’t mean you will be missing out on any experience,” he continued. “I hope you never feel slighted. Rather, I’d like to think I can give more than you thought possible.”

Suddenly, he dropped to one knee, and my hand shot up to my mouth.

“Annalise Miller, will you marry me and make me the luckiest man alive?” he asked.

I felt tears spring into my eyes as I stared at the moment I’d dreamed about since I was a little girl.

“Baby?” he asked. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes,” I bobbed my head quickly. “Yes, Gavin, I’ll marry you.”

He slipped a ring on my finger before standing with me in his arms and spinning us around.

I kissed him deeply, and he returned it.

When we broke, I nuzzled into his ear.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

His arms tightened around me in response.

I watched as the diamond on my finger sparkled in the moonlight.

It was a vintage setting, somehow understated and still absolutely stunning.

In my wildest dreams, I was sure I couldn’t have come up with something more beautiful.

How Gavin always expertly matched my tastes was beyond me, but I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for his attention to detail.

Through my haze of shock and happiness, I heard clapping and cheering and remembered we were in the middle of a restaurant.

Gavin kissed my cheek where a faint blush had started to creep in.

A couple of people started to point and take pictures.

Where before no one seemed to recognize him, I now heard my fiancé’s name echoing in poorly disguised whispers.

“Can we go home?” I asked, suddenly feeling far too on display.

“Yeah.” He nodded. “Let’s go.”

We hustled through a side exit and toward the valet stand.

Out of my periphery, I saw a couple of young women try to follow us, but men in all black that I hadn’t noticed previously blocked their path.

“Sorry,” Gavin muttered. “I thought this place would be more low-key.”

Despite his obvious rush, I pulled him to a stop and placed a hand on his chest.

“It was perfect,” I told him. “Absolutely perfect.”

He leaned down and brushed a quick kiss on my lips before quickly tucking me under his arm as random people with cameras seemed to jump out of nowhere.

Mark was suddenly on my other side, keeping the crowd at bay.

“Somebody at the restaurant posted a picture of the two of you an hour ago,” he told Gavin over my head. “They must have seen it before we could get it down.”

A black Range Rover pulled up to the curb, and Mark jogged ahead to open the door.

Gavin lifted me by my waist before sliding in next to me.

Both of us were panting as the SUV started to move.

Adrenaline was coursing through my veins as my thoughts turned a million miles a minute.

Gavin’s hand brushed the side of my leg, and the flesh immediately pebbled.

Our eyes met, and I saw the raw desire I felt for him reflected back at me.

Without warning, he took my mouth in his and kissed me.