BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

Chapter 31: Daring Proposal

Chapter 31: Daring Proposal

After a while, Sophia and Sarah, their energy finally waning, hugged me tightly. "We're calling it a night, Em," Sophia whispered in my ear, her eyes glinting with mischief. "But you should definitely stay. It's pretty clear Luke wants some alone time with you." She giggled, her tone playful yet sincere. "Honestly, he's been all over you all day. The man's practically ready to rip your clothes off!"

Their laughter was infectious, and I found myself joining in, feeling a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. They waved goodbye, disappearing into the night, leaving Luke and I in our own little world amidst the fading music.

Luke, picking up on the change in atmosphere, turned to me with a raised eyebrow. "So, your friends seem nice?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

"They are. They really liked you too, especially after the grand tour you gave us today. You were the perfect guide," I replied, my smile genuine.

He grinned. "I aim to please. Now that we're on our own, how about we head to the bar for a last drink?"

"That sounds perfect," I agreed, feeling a flutter of anticipation.

At the bar, our conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and light-hearted banter. As the night deepened, I suggested, "How about a walk on the beach?"

"Sounds like a brilliant idea," Luke said, his eyes reflecting the moonlight as we made our way to the shore.

The beach was serene, the rhythmic sound of the waves a soothing backdrop to our stroll. Luke broke the comfortable silence. "You know, Emily, life has a funny way of surprising us."

I laughed softly. "No kidding. I mean, who would have thought? A moonlit Brazilian beach with my boss?"

His laughter mingled with the gentle lapping of the waves. For a moment, the rest of the world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us under the vast, starry sky.

"Life's unpredictability is its beauty," he said, his voice a mix of humor and something more profound.

Then, unexpectedly, he asked, "Have you ever thought about getting married?"

His question caught me off guard. "Marriage? You mean, white dresses and lifelong commitments?" I stammered, a mix of amusement and surprise in my voice.

He shrugged nonchalantly but his eyes held a deeper emotion. "Yeah, the whole shebang. I'm just curious."

I chuckled, a bit bewildered by the sudden turn in our conversation. "Well, I've thought about it, sure. But isn't that a bit out of the blue?"

His gaze held mine, a playful yet earnest twinkle in his eyes. "What if it's not?"

Stopping dead in my tracks, I felt a magnetic pull towards the unfolding mystery. "What's your game, Luke?"

His hand gestured toward a couple down the beach, standing under a makeshift altar. Their happiness cast a radiant halo in the twilight. "What if we did that? Took the plunge, right here, right now?"

I erupted in laughter, convinced this was some elaborate joke. "You're pulling my leg, right?"

His eyes met mine, unwavering, as he spoke. "I'm as serious as a heart attack. Why not?"

Still incredulous, I shook my head. "Luke, we aren't even a couple, and we've had more than a sip of caipirinha tonight."

But his eyes told another story-a story so compelling that I hesitated. "This is madness."

Softening, he closed the distance between us. "Maybe madness is what we've been missing all along. I've never felt this way around anyone. Can't you feel it too?"

His question hung in the air like a dare. "Do you enjoy spending time with me?"

"Absolutely."

His smile widened. "And do you like me so far?"

"You're growing on me, like a catchy tune I never knew I needed," I quipped.

"Perfect. There's an undeniable energy between us, Emily. I can't explain it."

My gaze met his, a storm of questions, fears, and excitement colliding. "But marriage? Isn't that taking it to an extreme?"

His hand slipped into mine, a warm affirmation of his sincerity. "Maybe. But life's most exquisite moments often come unannounced."

I interjected, struggling to align this proposition with his reputation.

"You're the quintessential playboy. Women come and go in your life like seasons. Why would you want to get married, especially so spontaneously?

Are you scared your lifestyle might change, from new girls every night to just one woman?"

"Isn't this too risky? Your reputation suggests you're more 'love 'em and leave 'em' than 'until death do us part.'

"I've had my fun," he admitted. "But none of it ever felt like this, like something real and substantial. What are you scared of? That we might regret it?"

"The question is, are you scared your life will change? From the freedom of a new woman every night to the 'ball and chain?'

He seemed to consider my words before saying,

"Maybe the playboy is ready for a season finale, one that doesn't end in solitude. And maybe, just maybe, the idea of one woman for the rest of my life isn't terrifying if that woman is as extraordinary as you."

"That's flattering, but...is this also about securing your wealth? A prenup-marriage of sorts?" I questioned, feeling the gravity of the moment.

His eyes met mine, a new vulnerability appearing. "Wealth is fleeting. I'm thinking about something far more lasting."

His sincerity disarmed me. "You're really serious about this, aren't you?"

"Dead serious, Emily," he asserted, "I've never been surer of anything."

That's when the whirlwind within me settled into an inexplicable calm. "Alright, let's be crazy. Let's get married."

His eyes ignited, and his grin could have outshone the moon. "You won't regret this."

In that silent agreement that needed no words, we approached the minister. Luke, with that assertive timbre in his voice that I loved, put forth the daring proposal.