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I sigh, my throat thick with emotion. “I know I scared you that day.”
“No. You didn’t.” She shakes her head, her beautiful eyes flashing with determination. Damn, she’s exquisite. “Tell me this, Gideon. Do you not have feelings for me? Is that why you broke up with me?”
I grit my teeth, trying to contain the wealth of emotion this woman evokes in me. “I would die to protect you, Verity.”
Then she’s on the floor, kneeling in front of me. She reaches up, cupping my face.
I close my eyes.
“You don’t get to do that. Look at me, Gideon.”
I wait a beat, gathering my courage, and open my eyes.
Hers lock onto mine, no fear, no wavering, no uncertainty. “I love you, Gideon. I think we have something special. Something worth fighting for. I’m not worried you’re going to get your monster freak on and attack people. And I’m certainly not worried about you harming me because I have never felt safer or more cherished than when I’m in your arms.”
I fall to the floor with her, pulling her close to me. “I’m sorry, Verity. So damn sorry. I let my fear and insecurities get in the way. I promise I’ll do better, be better.”
Verity pulls back and smooths away my frown with tender fingers while my snakes sigh and swoon. “You don’t need to be better, Gideon. You’re perfect the way you are. Perfect for me.”
I clutch her tighter. “God, I missed you.”
She releases a watery laugh. “And I missed you, my love. More than I ever thought possible.”
“I love you, too, Verity. So fucking much. Marry me, tie yourself to me forever. I don’t want you to change your mind.”
She giggles. “I’m not going to change my mind. Besides, I’d marry you for that library alone.”
I grin. “I see how it is. You’re using me for my huge?—”
My woman kisses me before I can finish my sentence.
epilogue
Verity
Alice settles in the booth at the Japanese restaurant she’s chosen for our girls' night out, a place renowned for its karaoke nights. My friend is undoubtedly hoping to get me up for an Abba number, but I’d rather stick pins in my eyes than unleash my voice on the unsuspecting diners.
I pick up the menu. The sushi options look delicious. I hope they measure up to the descriptions. “What are you having?”
Alice puts down her menu and shrugs. “No idea. I can’t even pronounce the items on the menu.”
I frown. The restaurant was Alice’s choice. “I’ll have the Magician’s Magical Maki and avocado salad.”
Alice nods. “Sounds good. I’ll have the same.”
The server rushes over to take our order and hurries away. The place is filling up, and I’m glad we got our order in before the rest of the customers.
Alice fidgets with her phone, a sly smile playing on her lips. “So, how’s it going with Gideon? Has he officially popped the question yet?”
“Not yet, but that’s okay,” I lie, sighing as I lean back in my chair.
It’s been two months since I confronted Gideon at his house. He said he wanted to marry me that night, but he hasn’t broached the subject since.
Don’t get me wrong, we’re blissfully happy, especially since I moved into his massive mansion and we get to spend so much time together. My team and I have been working hard on translating the Lenayovitch Tome under the watchful eye of Gideon and two of his top security guards. My gorgon worries about my safety, considering the secrecy of the project, and made the rest of the team sign NDAs.
I still do a little tutoring, but my passion lies in those ancient manuscripts. I’m happy and fulfilled. Mostly. I mean, it’s not like I’m a hopeless romantic who needs Gideon to propose with some grand, elaborate gesture. Right?
Alice raises an eyebrow. “Really? Because if it were me, I’d want rose petals, an orchestra, doves, the whole shebang.”
