Page 87
My Brioni’s talent.
She’s so fucking perfect. And most importantly, she’s perfect for me.
Chapter 44
Brioni
After I’ve toweled off, I catch sight of myself in the enormous bathroom mirror. My skin has an afterglow to it, so radiant it’s almost strange. I’ve always been pallid, that’s just my complexion. I could explain away my current full-body flush as a result of my hot shower, but it’s more than that.
It’s from being with Liam.
He makes me the best version of myself, he always has. But now that we’re properly together, it’s like I’ve unlocked access to an even better aspect of me, one I didn’t know I had.
Except… are we properly together?
I have to stop myself from biting my lip too hard as I pull on my patterned maxi dress. We’re getting married the day after tomorrow. A part of me wants to sprint to the altar, to become Liam’s wife as soon as possible.
The other part of me wants to lock my knees, to refuse to budge against the onslaught of time. Because as soon as we get married, we’ll have to stop being together in that wonderful, intimate, mind-blowing way.
With my hair damp and feet bare, I pad out of the bathroom in search of Liam. The marble floors are cool beneath the soles of my feet, a refreshing contrast to the rest of my flushed skin.
He’s not in the kitchen, dining room, or any of the cavernous main living spaces. The winter sun, usually so harsh and cruel, seems to be cheering me on in my search, streaming through the walls of windows in a way that makes me stretch out my arms as I move from room to room.
When I see his office door is closed, it feels like the sun has gone behind a cloud. He’s busy with work. I swallow hard and nod to myself. The mountain of Liam’s responsibilities is something I’ll have to get used to. I remind myself that whatever disappointment I feel about it, the burden is a hundred times worse for him.
“Brioni.” He steps out of the game room, and I brighten.
He’s so gorgeous when he smiles at me. Feeling giddy, I pick up my long skirt to run and leap into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. I’m nearly six feet tall, but he catches me like I’m Thumbelina. His strength is what grounds me as he presses his mouth to mine, and I feel secure with him in a way I’ve never felt before.
He breaks our kiss sooner than expected, leaving me wanting more.
“I have a surprise for you,” he whispers, and my heart races at the thought.
“But I haven’t done anything to deserve a surprise.”
“You’re wrong.” He squeezes my butt before lowering me to my feet. “Close your eyes.”
I do as he says, then he spins me around, covering my eyes for good measure. With his forearms on my shoulders, he steers me a few paces down the hall. I feel him push a door open, then guide me inside a room where warm sunshine hits my bare arms.
“Open your eyes.” He lowers his hands, and I gasp.
What was once his treasured game room has been transformed into a state-of-the-art sewing studio. For me. I run to the nearest machine and hover my hand over its intricate dials. It’s too pristine to touch, just like the rows upon rows of colorful threads on the pegboard. Tears prick my eyes as I take in the level of care Liam dedicated to creating this room for me.
Then I catch a glimpse of the daybed beneath the window. I hurry over to it, practically tripping over my feet to confirm up-close what I think I’m seeing.
My quilts. Liam found them, cleaned them, and brought them here. It’s been years since I’ve seen any of these old projects of mine, and I’ve never seen them all in one place. Arranged like a spray of peacock feathers, they look… impressive. Magnificent in a way I’d never thought possible from my unimportant side hobby.
As I run my hand over the stitched cotton, I’m struck again by how Liam brings out the best version of me. He even makes my handmade crafts look better than they truly are.
When I turn around, he’s down on one knee.
“Liam,” I breathe, as his emerald eyes sparkle up at me.
“Brioni Rose Timmons.”
He takes my left hand in both of his, and my giant engagement ring catches the sun, casting a faint strip of green along his high cheekbone. My heart is in my throat as he squeezes my fingers tight.
“I have loved you for the past thirty years,” he says, his deep voice thick with emotion. “You are my everything, so pure and kind that I don’t deserve you. And I wish I didn’t have to drag you down into this world of mine, but I don’t have a choice. Just know that I will protect you from any and every danger that ever threatens you. At all costs.”
