Not edited.

Anya's POV

The trip wasn't turning into what I hoped it would be.. After all the problems I had to deal with, starting form buying the tickets, to the whole airport extravaganza, I wasn't exactly looking forward to have to deal with Ash's crazy jealous ex.. Kristin once said that there were never rumors that they dated so perhaps it never got to that, but having to go through that explaining, indirect insults in the café, it did change a lot..

I of course acted like I didn't notice a thing, even though she did want me to pay attention to her and she was making sure to very much convince me, let me know that she was ready to do whatever it takes to get Ash back. To sounded too cliche, too boring, if you ask me.

So no, I didn't let her get to me. I acted like I didn't even notice her insults and threats, like J still had the purest intentions, and it wasn't exactly that I was now building a plan to destroy her, I wasn't.. I was just going to be a bit more careful, and perhaps a bit more bold. If she wanted a game, I could play.. I was a fun opposer too. And now that the game was on, I knew exactly what my next move could be perhaps maybe the very end of her.

What I had in mind wasn't part of any cruel plans, we were not starting a war.. No, it was just a little treat I was already very much excited for, which by chance could definitely become the very win over Sophie that I needed.

Tonight was one of the conferences, which in Paris promised a lot more than business meetings. It was going to be an elegant cocktail party, probably made out of my dreams, filled with perhaps at least a hundred attendants.. It was definitely supposed to be a night to remember.

Ash did mention he had something special planned for tonight, and I wasn't sure if that was it, but either way, I was way too excited to even let myself think about Sophie's words. In fact, a cocktail part was going to be my perfect opportunity to show her the closeness Ash and I had, and maybe rub it in her nose a bit too.

She split her ways with me and Kris after the little chat we had in the café.. Supposedly because she had an emergency at work, paying for her part and thankfully not mentioning a thing in front of Kristin..

Kristin got the number of the cute guy I saw her talking to near the bar, while I was starting to hesitate rather to tell her about the fake engagement or tell her the truth about me and Ash.. Or mention anything at all.. It was a complicated situation, from whatever perspective you looked, and I felt sick of having to explain or lie..

But I still did.. She had to know.. Especially for tonight. It was definitely going to be a night filled with Ash and I holding hands, or showing any other kind of closeness, perhaps even more now that I was ready to let Sophie know the real kind of relationship that Ash and I had.. Kristin would freak out. She just had to know. It came to the point where it was inescapable.

So I decided to tell her about the fake story.. The fake engagement. I told her that there was nothing real going on with Ash and I, which was a lie, but I still couldn't take any risks and have anyone in Richwood find out that I was dating the boss..

Everyone would think my motives were either to marry him and get his money, or marry him and get a citizenship. Richwood was a dark place to live in, with people that trusted traditions and traditions only..

After what my father did to a lot of them, I was going to get accused of all kinds of cruelties, especially because it was Ash we were talking about here.. He was the golden boy. His father was known around town as a very strict serious businessman. A very legal one, respected from literally everyone..

To Kristin, I explained it all as simple as possible. I told her that Ethan and Josh asked us to do it in order to create a positive and a bit more private relationship with their business partners. An engagement lead to a lot of conversations, and even though Ash was a close friend with almost all of his partners from Europe, he still wanted to make the relationship more stable, and a little loophole, a little peek in his private life was apparently the way to do it. Josh even said that many of their partners organized parties and celebrations when they got engaged, just for their business partners, employees and everyone that was part of that world.

Kristin's reaction was very much followed by a lot of cussing, a lot of questions, and a lot of overdramatic gasps..

"I swear you're the luckiest bitch, like, Ash Bonner. You get to share a room with Ash Bonner." She spoke way too loudly, making me have to shush her, especially now that we were walking into the hotel, in the enormous golden lobby made out of marble and crystal chandeliers, filled with mostly fancy Parisian women with overly tiny poodles, and businessman that charmed their way to your heart with a simple word in French.

"I'm- He's our boss, Kristin. I mean, don't you think it's a bit weird?" I was mostly asking because I truly wanted her opinion on this. It was an actual involvement with my boss.. I wanted to hear what she had to say, and perhaps if her answer was positive, I could admit to her that I actually did stuff way pass professional with him.

"It's not weird. He's a fucking gorgeous, Anya. You need to take as much advantage of that as possible. You'll be sharing a fricking room with him.. Drop a towel, leave the closet door open, make it more exciting.." I laughed, feeling perhaps a bit relieved at her statement, now that I knew her actual opinion on this. "Don't laugh, I'm serious. Not many women get that opportunity, and if it was me.. Christ, I would do anything to actually get him in bed."

"We won't be actually sharing a bed. The engagement is for the public." I kept my voice quiet, hoping no one was hearing Kristin's squeaks and giggles.

"Oh you should." And that was definitely not the last thing she had on her mind connected to the subject.

She continued blabbing on and in, giving me advices on how to actually get Ash in bed throughout the whole elevator ride, which I didn't mind since I liked her cheerful nature.. And I needed ideas on how to act around Ash when in public. We would have many eyes on us, Sophie's too.. I couldn't miss a chance.

Kristin also made sure to see in which room Ash and I were staying, and it wouldn't be her if she didn't finish the situation with some dirty joke - in this case it was another advice, on how to properly share a bedroom with a man like Ash Bonner.

I was still smiling with relief that she finally knew about this, walking in the room and putting my bag on the little table near the door. I still felt the need to tell her about the real thing that happened between Ash and I, but a part of me feared her reaction..

I mean, yes she made dirty jokes and said all kinds of stuff about Ash, about how I should use this opportunity 'properly', but it was just that.. Jokes. I had no clue how anyone would take it. He was still my boss. It was wrong on many levels. And it could so easily be misplaced.

And there I was, walking in the room I shared with that exact man. Ashton Bonner. I honestly wouldn't even call it a room. It was an apartment, bigger than most of the ones I lived in throughout my life..

There were not really words that could explain how beautiful the place was. It was a true classic. Luxurious with golden details over the white that mostly dominated, with wallpapers and carved details on the walls, with satin french bergere sofas and chairs lined with gold wooden frames.. There was even a small fire place, also very classical, fitting the high ceilings perfectly with its size.

The place was unbelievable. There was no TV centered in the living room, but instead it was ending with large patio french doors, once again elegant with thin wooden frames carved with different designs.. The balcony wasn't extra wide, but the view that it presented was perfectly showing off that picture of the tall Eiffel Tower somewhere seemingly near.

I was living every woman's dream. I was in Paris in a beautiful room that I shared with a mouthwateringly good looking man that gave me a taste of what being taken care of felt like.. What it felt like having someone else do things for you, someone actually care what you felt like, rather you were tired or not.. Even his simplest actions were thought-through and done perfectly right.

At that point, he was still on a meeting. The room was empty and still bright as for the sun was still yet about to set.. I walked slowly towards the bedroom door that were once again taller than usual doors, a bit heavier with the light golden wood..

The bedroom was also a large room, with a tall ceiling and an enormous high mattress bed in the middle, pushed against the wall with wooden pillars and elegant baldaquin curtains that gave me tingles in my stomach from a simple glimpse. It looked so cozy yet romantic that it made me feel like we were rather on a honeymoon than a business trip..

The room was brightened by the large windows that had a classic window bench, once again in that french patio style, white frames and the same pretty view. I simply wished he was there. Right then.. To simply walk up to him, wrap my arms around him and kiss him, to feel his hands on my waist and to inhale his sweet sharp scent deeply..

Instead, the bedroom was empty. My eyes focused on the change of colors I noticed on the bed.. Over the beige and white sheets was placed maroon colored material, making me walk closer with more curiosity than usual.. My bare feet over the wooden floor made no sound as I crossed the space towards the bed, found by this pleasant wash of surprise that once again caused tingles to run throughout my entire body.

One the bed was placed a box.. It was opened and the maroon material placed over it was a dress. A shiny satin dark-red dress. My heart seemed to confusingly skip a shallow beat, and then continue with a more rapid speed. I ran my fingers instinctively over it before taking the card that was placed on top.

It was a simple white card, filled with a small handwritten text.. I could recognize Ash's handwriting anywhere. It was specific. Elegant. Perfect.

Saw this dress on you in a dream once. I'll make tonight your ideal first taste of Paris. Till then, I want to find you in that perfect red, waiting for me in the bedroom tonight. Bridgette will take care of the rest.. -Ash

  I had no clue who Bridgette was, but I was still smiling from ear to ear. Even his written words seemed so promising, so perfect.. I found myself trapping the side of my bottom lip between my teeth through that smile I couldn't help but keep, putting down the note and slowly picking up the dress.

It was silky, elegant and thin. It almost slipped through my fingers.. The material was soft and designed to perfection. It was one of those long breathtaking dresses, ones that celebrities perhaps would wear on a red carpet, and something that I thought I would never even see in life.

In the box that was underneath it was a pair of high heeled sandals, with elegantly thin heels, thin silver diamond belts around the ankles and toes, and a perfect red bottom that gave away the fortune they must've costed.

My heart flattered, my breath too.. I- I was shocked. I didn't know what to think.. I couldn't wrap my head around all the beauty that was before me. It was like nothing I had ever seen. And I had no idea how or why he would even think that I could pull off that look, but my hands were itching to touch the material again, to pull it against myself and put it on. And so I did.

~

It didn't take long for me to find out who Bridgette was. A short dark haired Parisian woman in her early thirties that spoke English with a very thick accent, yet still managed to pull it off so effortlessly and so fluently. Introducing herself as my makeup and hair stylist for the night, she didn't escape to mention that she had been working for the company for many years now, and being a fashion stylist too, she was the one that helped Ash pick out the dress.

Yes. Ash picked out a dress for me. A gorgeous fucking Dior dress that I also found out was made specifically for me. The heels were Dior too and I officially felt like Cinderella. Not that I could complain.. I mean the night hadn't even started yet and I already knew it was going to be a once in a lifetime experience.. Something that I would remember forever. My first night in Paris.

Bridgette insisted on me wearing a silky robe for the whole time she was doing my hair and makeup, and since she was blocking the mirror the entire time, I barely even got a glimpse at myself. I felt nervous, excited; I had no idea what Ash had in mind for tonight..

The dress was tight.. That I could feel. I had some image of what my hair was going to look like, but I still had no idea how Bridgette was going to be able to turn me into a Princess in only an hour or so..

I glanced at the clock on the side while she did the last touch on my hair.. In only four minutes exactly eight o'clock would tick, and I knew that was around the time Ash was going to finish up with his whatever business thing he had.

Now that Bridgette was done, even more adrenaline seemed to be pumped through my blood.. I wanted to see Ash yet at the same time I was nervous on how I looked, what he had planned for tonight, if I was even going to be able to stay somewhat civilized during that cocktail party as his fiancée.. Madness was the next stage that my mind was going to reach if I kept overthinking..

After thanking Bridgette, and after her very polite and settle way of telling me to basically rock his world tonight, she left the apartment, leaving me in the silk white robe, the perfect heels and everything else that was underneath it..

I walked up to the large mirror in the bedroom with a nervous sigh, fingers wrapped over the tied robe before I pulled it off.. I wasn't doubting Bridgette's work since she seemed very practiced, quick and organized while doing whatever she did with my hair and makeup.. I was just nervous to see myself in that kind of state.. It already felt so unreal, I could even imagine how it would look like..

And so there I was, stopping in front of the mirror with cold hands and boiling blood in my veins.. There I was staring at a reflection that was me.. The best me that there ever was.

I looked back at a girl in a breathtakingly gorgeous maroon red dress falling over the entire figure until it reached the floor and was elegantly spread.. It gripped my upper body like it was made for me, exposing each and every curve and dip of mine, and now that I knew that it was actually designed specifically for me, I didn't even want to start thinking how they had such precised measures.

My hair was in a very gracious wrapped bun on top of my head, twisted perfectly for the curled locks to fall around like a dark fountain. One wavy short strand fell over my now seemingly porcelain face from that touch of blush she added. The blue behind my eyes popped with certainty because of the smoked out liner she did on me, and the matte dark red lipstick made my lips look sculpted to perfection, exposing every inch of the plumpness they had..

A gasp wasn't even close to expressing what was really going through me in that moment. Since my hair was tied in that messy curly bun, my neck was perfectly exposed alongside my chest and the marvelous cleavage..

I was always a girl on the bigger side when it came to my bosom and hips, but never in my life had I seen a cleavage like that on me. I could easily say that it looked close to perfection with the deep wide V that the dress had exposing most of my chest and breasts, of course lifted and held with the luxurious lingerie that Bridgette helped me pick out, probably more expensive than everything I ever owned too.. That was actually the only thing that I chose myself that night.. Kind of.

The dress continued skin tight over my waist like it was my second skin, over my hips, and the only reason why it loosened down over my thighs and the rest of my legs was because of the high split that almost fully exposed my left leg, perfectly showing off the sparkly sandals that created all kinds of new cusses in my head from how little vocabulary I had left at that point to describe it.

The whole look was simply phenomenal. I was shocked. Shook to my very core. Left speechless, breathless..

  As I attempted to take in the air, my chest rose and seemed even fuller than it already was.. My collar bone shone slightly from the lotion Bridgette put on me, my whole chest having that healthy fair glow that I had never seen on myself before..

I held the sparkly silver handbag that she gave me, with nothing but my phone and a lipstick in it, and held my breath immediately when I noticed a tall figure in the reflection of the mirror, appearing at the doorway and stopping mid-step.

My heart performed a harsh shallow skip with the very certain acknowledgment that it was Ash that stood there.. Our gazes met through the reflection of the mirror and I still stood with my back turned on him while he kept that distance, standing all across the room at the door way.. I followed how his eyes escaped mine and so shamelessly roamed all over my body with a painfully slow speed..

His gaze swallowed me as I could feel the excitement suddenly tingle throughout my entire body.. I gulped and resisted biting my lip in order to still keep the lipstick fresh as I slowly turned around and got a better look at him..

He wasn't wearing any of his usual classic suits that he wore on the meetings.. No, instead it was an elegant classic light gray button up shirt with black suspenders that looked tight around his broad muscly chest and shoulders.. His tie was matte black too and so were his pants.. He still wasn't wearing a jacket, and we were just having the first looks towards each other for the night, yet I already didn't want to leave the room.

I would've never even imagined how well suspenders looked on him. It was mouthwatering to see this tall, large, gorgeous looking man standing there and so intimidatingly scanning me with the same intensity I did.. Insane to even think that I had him for myself.

His hair was slicked back with no gel, just simply pushed back with it's natural five inch length with the darkest chocolate brown color and the softest glow to it.. His slight simple short beard was only noticeable because of its dark color seemed perfectly defined and edged, just like that morning.. I just seemed to notice it now more.. Now he caused my heart to beat rapidly and make me think of things like, it would be great to spend the night riding him senseless..

  Jesus, Anastasia. What the hell was going through me? What was he even doing to me?

I mentally slapped myself, blinked and cleared my throat very slightly.. My breath shook as inhaled it, then slowly exhaled it, basically counting his slow certain steps he took towards me, closing up on me like a predator and leaving me breathless with the closer look his gorgeousness offered..

His intense gaze did incredible things to me.. He had his eyes on me pretty often when we were together, on a meeting or in his office.. Now, it just seemed like a tamed temptation, a hidden desire and a wild craze was hiding behind those grays.. So effortlessly reflected back on mine..

"Christ, Anya." The deep lyrical tone of his voice filled the thick silence, sounding so damn hypnotic that I almost closed my eyes to take in the moment. "You look damn mind-blowing."

"So do you." The words escaped me with that clear surprise, way too quickly for me to even control them. "When did you change?"

He almost seemed unaware of my words, of what I was saying.. He searched my face, my body, leaving me glued to my spot when he reached me.. His hands slowly but surely went over my waist in a certain caress, looking back at me with intensity and focus that caused electricity underneath my skin, tingles down my stomach and legs, making me instantly feel faint for him, vulnerable..

He controlled me with a simple look, owned me with a simple glimpse and made me feel things I couldn't understand.. It was him that awakened that new exciting side of me, and I never liked it more..

"So fucking gorgeous, Anya.." He ran his hands over my hips and I instinctively leaned closer, looking back at those wide gray eyes that held nothing but those unreadable desires that I longed to find out about.. "I changed at Josh's.. I didn't want to come earlier.. I wanted to wait for this moment."

His voice trailed off with a lack of focus in his words.. He spoke mechanically while pulling me a bit closer and once again swallowing me with his intense scans. I breathed in slowly and let his sweet sharp cologne flood my senses. He smelled masculine, so effortlessly making me lightheaded, dizzy for him as for it was his usual scent. Always the same effect..

I lost myself in him.. In his eyes, in his closeness.. I never admitted this to myself, but I could so damn easily lose myself in him to the fullest. He was dreamy, charming, tall, handsome, sculpted to damn perfection and for tonight, all mine.. It was Paris that gave us the opportunity to find freedom in this relationship, whatever it was, and I couldn't wait to show it..

To hold onto his arm, to feel him touch me, hold me, not caring if people looked or not, just to simply show what we had out of the rooms, offices, and all those four walls.. I wanted everyone to know, and I was starting to think that it would be even more worth it if we no longer lied, but showed the true bond and relationship we seemed to share.

But at that point, I wanted to live in the moment. In Paris. With him. My prince charming. My fiancé. My Ash Bonner.

Ash's POV

It was madness what this girl did to me.. She took me from one extreme to another with a simple look.. And after spending the whole day without her, desperately trying to shut off my brain with that simple intention to stop thinking of her..

It seemed impossible. It just wasn't possible to get her out of my head. At some point I didn't even want to.. I wanted to hold onto the thought that I was going back to her that night.. Having a woman like that waiting for me in our bedroom, sculpted to perfection in every way possible, and simply only mine to worship for the night..

I did admit though.. It was no secret that she was going through my head non stop, even at night.. My mind seemed to be obsessing over her, and those dreams that I had kept repeating.. Perhaps as a reflection of the first night I saw her, the first night we met.. Getting her in the hotel room and watching her look at me with intensity and desperation in those eyes.. Watching the fire thriving behind those azures, how she was so needy for that escape.. So damn desperate for that forgetting, for that escape from life, just like I was..

It was that night that carved in my brain.. The dream I had a few times was a reflection of that.. I had her in a hotel room, walking in and finding her strip her dress, just like she did that night.. Just in my dream, she wore red. Red lingerie a little above those wide hips, the lace almost at the dips of her small waist.. That full cleavage of hers perfectly exposed, perfectly full, perfectly mine to look at..

That mouthwatering body of hers was usually hid under clothes, mostly thin dresses that perfectly illuminated every little way that her hips moved, slide underneath the thin material as she walked.. In that dream she was all mine to look at.. No clothes, no games..

I wanted to see that again. That desperation in her, that way of escaping the world through a simple kiss, yet a very, heart-quivering, body-trembling process of nothing but pleasure through those sheets..

I saw her in a red dress in my dream too.. And I found the perfect one for her.. It wasn't my act that mattered. I didn't do it to prove anything to her or anyone else around us.. I did it for the very opposite. To have her for me..

And when I walked in that bedroom, seeing her stand there in front of the mirror in that skintight long maroon dress, just like I imagined it would look on her, tightly gripping her waist and hips, lining every curve of that plump ass of hers, every line of that hourglass figure of hers..

She was like a gift wrapped with a red bow, only mind to love, cherish and own for the rest of the night. It took me everything not to walk up to her, lift that dress of hers and have her sit on my face, and even though I resisted, it didn't stop the thoughts from crawling through my mind.. It was what a simple sight of her did to me..

And then she turned around.. That perfectly full exposed cleavage, a face of an angel and a look in her eyes that I had longed for for so damn long.. She breathed in and her chest rose, then fell delicately down as she continued with steady breaths.

My mind went blank. It lost control. It raced with thoughts and memories of that dream that repeated for so many nights, making me wake up rock hard each time, like a damn teenager with no control..

  But I had her for myself now.. Finally. After those long damn nights without her, long days of seeing her walk around my office daring me, challenging my limits.. That dream was finally coming to reality, and it was only her that could tame those desires that kept flaming inside me.

  I got ready at Josh's just to have that moment of walking in the room and seeing her waiting for me, just to have her for myself for at least a few minutes before leaving the room.. There were many things I had planned for the night, yet she did made me reconsider even letting her leave the room..

  The dress was easier to take off than it was to put on, and it took me every little strength that my body had left not to rip it off and take her right there.. Especially with the way she was looking at me.

  I pulled her closer to myself, feeling those splendid dips on her waist, those perfect curves over her hips lined with the satin material of her dress, tight and following her very skin. Her cleavage was wide, perfect, making me tighten my fingers around the material of the dress, over the small of her back and pull her even closer to myself.

  Those wide eyes looked at me, scanned me and once again dared me with that devilish glare in them.. The fire that was hiding behind them.. She focused her gaze on my lips, almost as if she was hesitating, but at the same time begging for me to lose the little control I was holding onto.

  And then she finally spoke. "I love the dress," That soft feminine voice almost had me on my knees. And that split on that dress was well placed for me to simply be able to pull it up effortlessly..

  "So do I.. It's exactly how I imagined it to look on you.." My voice seemed to trail. Fuck, she's hell of a distraction.. I couldn't even remember what I wanted to tell her. Those few words kept repeating.. "You are fucking perfect, Anya, you know that?"

  She looked down for a second, running her fingers so painfully slowly over my chest, making me hold my breath in order to hold onto that resistance. She seemed lost in her thoughts for a second, two, and then she finally spoke.

  "Bridgette said that it's Dior.. Extremely expensive, Ash.. Why did you-"

  "I won't discuss meaningless numbers with you tonight, Anya.. I bought it because I wanted it on you.. This moment. It's exactly how I imagined it."

  The deepness in my voice was a result of that lack of control.. I could barely find words to stop her from starting to number all the reasons why I shouldn't had bought it. But the thing was, I never payed attention to materialistic things.. Everything could be bought and replaced. I never placed limits in my budget because I didn't have the need to.. Anya, however, was still getting used to it.

  And yes, now that moment was exactly how I wanted it to be.. Exactly how I imagined it. I just never really considered how little resistance I had around her. It was a small detail that never seemed to miss.

  "In your dream?" She smiled and all that was left was to stare in amazement. She was beautiful.

  I ran my fingers over the small strand of hair that fell over her face, just as an excuse to touch her skin.. The small lean closer caused every sense of mine to be simply flooded by that intoxicating smell of hers, a perfect sweet perfume that allured, and a porcalein doll face that compelled.

  "Yes. Just by the end of the night, I'll have you with much less clothes and with much more closeness."

  I brushed my lips very slightly over the side of her face while I instictively pulled her closer by her waist.. It was impossible not to. The way she ran her warm hands up my chest and around my shoulders proved the vulnerability I had for her.. I kept the groan that threatened to escape, fighting every atom in my body to find resistance.

   I left a kiss right underneath her ear and heard her release a sharp breath as I whispered. "Like the perfect present for me, standing here in this gorgeous red and begging me to strip you, take you, own you.. It's exactly the dream I had."

  I felt her body tense, her chest slightly rising as it was pressed against mine.. She moved back a few inches just to look at me, scan my face for a second and once again focus on my lips.

  "What else did you dream about?"

  I moved towards her lips, brushed over them with mine for a second hearing her breath cut and adoring every little effect I had on her. It was a damn picture I never wanted to forget.. Especially when she ran her fingers over my hair from behind bearing with the feel of me trailing my lips over her chin, her jaw, and leaving a light kiss on that silky skin, that sweet spot that made her once again exhale almost in a way of moaning.

  "Ever since the first night I laid eyes on you, Anya, I've been longing for a moment like this.. Dreaming of having this perfect night, to simply get the pleasure of sharing a room with you, rip your clothes off and worship every square inch of that daring body of yours.. You were like a gift in my dream, in red lingerie waiting for me to simply have you to the fullest."

  My voice flew and tumbled out, her breaths barely noticeable at that point, holding them back and barely breathing at all.. I kept my hands over her waist, then down over that daring plump ass of hers, over those hips and long legs that were supposed to be straddling me by then..

  But nothing could be done yet. I had to find control. I came so far.. Planned and had to stick to that plan. I waited for that moment for so long. So fucking long. I couldn't resist her and had her only a few nights ago in Richwood.. But it seemed like that night she wasn't fully mine.. Yes, I had a taste of her, but I wanted it all. And I was going to give her that all..

  "Sounds promising." Was all she managed to mumble as I slightly pulled away, looked at those devil eyes and saw the very reflection of my own cravings, crazes, so effortlessly hidden behind those azures. She was daring me to the core.

  "It is. You have no idea just how much.." I managed to answer, taking a small step back and taking out the small velvet box from my pocket. "Just one thing missing."

  She stared at the little box I took out, observing intently how I opened it, exposing the silver ring that seemed to have a diamond bigger than the round of her fingers.. I looked back at her and loved the sudden shock that her face suddenly held. I just wished this wasn't a fake engagement.

  Still, there was time. I was going to have her one way or another. I already did. She was just fearing to admit it.. To me, to everyone else.. But to herself mostly.

  The ring belonged to my mother. She gave it to me when she thought I was going to marry Jane. But I never gave it to her. I never planned to. I got her a different one because she loved the trends, the silver smaller diamonds and the modern shapes..

  This.. It was in the family for generations. It had a diamond stone that was very noticeably large, in a sharp square that I realized was going to reach two fingers that were beside the one the ring was supposed to be put on.. A few tiny diamonds framed the big one.

  Anya laughed and shook her head. She probably thought I was insane, but we had to think of details. Details were the most noticeable to these people.

  "Good thinking.." The smile on her face spread before she looked back at me. "Where did you get it?"

  "It has been in my family for centuries.. My grandma came to Richwood with nothing else but this ring and the clothes she had on, just to finally stay in town with my grandpa that was already working there. The ring had been passed on for a lot longer though." I watched how her smile disappeared as she looked back at me with wide eyes of understanding and perhaps slight confusion too..

  "Ash, I can't take that.. It's worth a lot more than a fake engagement. And it clearly has a meaning-" I shushed her, took her hand and put it on her.. It slid so perfectly on her finger, like it was made exactly for her.

  She inhaled slowly and stared at her hand that I was still holding, also looking at and for some reason feeling like it was the most natural thing I had ever done.. It looked perfect on her.

  Yes, it was a fake engagement. But I kept thinking how damn easy it would be for me to get on one knee in front of this woman and actually do it. To see true shock, true happiness and surprise on that face. To hear her scream a yes and fall over me in a hug, knowing how clumsy and careless she was..

   I could actually do it. In that moment. The words were at the tip of my tongue. I could actually propose to her and there wouldn't be a part of me that would doubt it.

  My actions weren't thought through.. No, I acted by instinct and didn't regret a single word. A single movement. I watched how those azure eyes followed me get on one knee, kneel in front of her as I still held her hand. The ring was already on her finger, and everything seemed like a joke to her.. Perhaps it wasn't serious yet. But in that moment, I knew it would be.. One day. Soon.

   That breathtaking smile stretched her lips and she rolled her eyes. I on the other hand changed the word order and got lost in those ocean blue eyes that held the same storm of emotions mine did.. Mysterious and unreadable, yet crystal clear to me.

  "Anastasia Lauren Nelson.. You will be my wife." It was no proposal. It was a simple promise. Perhaps to myself too.. I kissed the knuckles of her hand, heard her laugh and found myself smiling against her skin.

One thing I knew for sure.. I was going to be on one knee when I was going to propose to her. And she was going to laugh not out of this little stunt joke, but to hide the tears in her eyes.. She deserved the best, and I was going to give her that. I suppose this was just a small scene, a stunt, a little joke that was going to stay between the two of us for now..

  But a part of me told me it was going to turn into something a lot more than that.. No jokes, no games.. Not when it came to Anastasia. Not when it came to what I truly desired.. What I wanted.. And that was nothing else but her.

  I knew that the next time I was going to be on one knee in front of her, I was going to have her promising to be mine.. In every way there was.

***

Heart eyes for Ash 😍😍

Hope you enjoyed this little sweet piece babes! More to come soon! I'll be posting soon so stay tuned!

Comment & Vote if you liked this one and let me know what you think, will Ash really propose? Maybe?

Kisses babes 😘