Gypsy

Chapter 41

·Adam·

Don't say no, don't drop the ring.

As I watch Zara's face and wait for her reply, those words keep swirling around and around in my mind. I've never been more scared than I am right now. I don't even care that we're hundreds of feet in the air. We could be on the ground, on a park bench, at the table in our kitchen, and I wouldn't be any less terrified. My biggest fear is that she'll say no; my second biggest, that I'll drop the ring.

She never does what I expect her to, so maybe if I use reverse psychology on myself she'll say--

"Yes."

"What?" The word is a soft croak that leaps from my mouth, then hops around the catwalk to tease me.

"I said yes. But ..."

No buts. Dear God, no buts tonight. Please.

"I need to know something first. And I need you to be honest with me."

I'm still on one knee, the metal grating against my bones. My arm is beginning to ache from holding the ring up to her. But I smile as if I am the picture of comfort. "I'll always be honest with you."

She bites her lip, looks out toward the city, then brings her gaze back to mine. "Is what you did for Maddox ... Did you do that because you thought it would make me say yes?"

"God, no! That had nothing to do with this." As I watch she slowly begins to relax and her smile grows warm.

"Then yes, Adam Cain, I'll marry you. God knows we must both be insane, but I could definitely see spending a lot more time with you."

I smile so wide it makes my face hurt. I lower my hand to pull the ring from the box. Don't drop it don't drop it don't drop it. I lift it then take her hand and slip it onto her finger. I rise to my feet and my legs tremble beneath me as I wrap her in my arms then pull her gently against me. I dip my head and capture her lips in a searing kiss. She wraps the back of my shirt up in her fists as I deepen it, and then she melts into my arms.

I pull away only long enough to whisper, "I love you." And then I take her mouth again, more passionately this time.

I ease her back with me toward the soft pallet I've made for us, and as I sink to my knees she follows me. I turn and lay her down, then lean above her on one arm. One of her hands finds my hair then slips gently through it.

For a long time there is only this, before I finally pull away and lay down next to her. I pull her against me and I wonder if her heart is racing like mine. I lift my hand and lay it against her chest; she covers it with her own. I smile. It's like the rapid beating of small bird's wings against my palm.

I look at her to find her smiling at me, and then she lifts her hand to the back of my head and pulls me forward again. I kiss her softly, deeply. I am mesmerized by the taste of her. When she pulls on me gently, urging me closer, I break the bond between our lips.

"Are you sure? That's not why I did all this tonight. I just wanted--"

"Shh," she shushes me softly and then she whispers in my ear, "I want you to be my first in everything."

Sweet Jesus, I have time to think before we are kissing again. And this time I don't stop, can't stop. I take my Gypsy in our bed beneath the stars, loving her slowly, tenderly. She is perfection, and I worship that perfection with every fiber of my being. Never have I been so madly in love as I am with this woman, and in my every move I try to show her what I can't say with words alone.