Chapter 2 The Proposal

Tatiana's Point of View

"That was the plan," he smirked, slipping the ring onto my finger. "And you're stuck with me now."

I stared at the ring, the diamond catching candlelight like it was dancing for us. My heart thudded against my chest, and when I looked up at him-my fiancé-it hit me all over again.

I was in love.

Hopelessly, stupidly, wildly in love.

"You think I'm stuck with you?" I whispered, stepping closer, letting my fingers trail up his chest slowly. "You think this means I belong to you now?"

His brow arched, but his voice dipped lower. "Don't you?"

"Wrong," I murmured, pressing my lips to his jaw, slow and teasing. "It means you belong to me."

In one smooth motion, he gripped my waist and hauled me against him. His mouth found mine-hungry, possessive, demanding. My back arched as he kissed me like he was starved and I was the only thing on the menu.

I moaned into his mouth as he backed me against the dining table, plates and wine glasses rattling."Scott-" I gasped as he lifted me onto the polished surface, knocking aside a candlestick."We're celebrating, aren't we?" he growled, voice thick with lust.

"Yes," I whispered, wrapping my legs around him. "Celebrate me."

His hands slid up my thighs, bunching the fabric of my dress as his mouth explored the hollow of my neck, biting just enough to make me gasp. I clutched at his shirt, dragging him closer, heat pulsing between my thighs.

Clothes fell-his shirt unbuttoned with shaking fingers, my straps sliding off my shoulders. I shivered as the cool air kissed my skin before his mouth claimed me again. The kiss deepened, rougher now. Desperate. His body pressed into mine, and I arched against him, meeting every movement with need of my own.

Somewhere between the kisses and whispered yeses, he lifted me again, carrying me through the hallway like I weighed nothing.

The bedroom door slammed shut behind us.

He tossed me gently on the bed, crawling over me like a man on fire. I tugged at his belt, and he kissed down my stomach, slow and deliberate, his breath setting every nerve ending ablaze.

"I love you," I whispered, voice trembling.

He paused, his gaze locking with mine-soft, deep, everything."I love you too, Tatiana," he murmured, kissing the inside of my thigh. "And I'm going to show you just how much."His lips hovered over the sensitive skin of my inner thigh, and my breath hitched as his warm breath fanned over me-teasing, promising.

Then-his mouth met my skin.

Slow. Tender. Relentless. A gasp escaped my lips. My back arched instinctively as a wave of warmth bloomed through my body. He wasn't rushing. No, this wasn't the usual hurried desire between us.

This was slow-burning fire.

Molten, delicious heat.

He kissed upward, his tongue leaving a glistening trail along my hipbone. His hands moved like he was memorizing me-palming my waist, brushing his thumbs along the curve of my ribs, fingertips grazing the swell of my breasts. Every touch sent sparks dancing along my spine.

"Scott..." I whispered, my voice already trembling with want.

He looked up at me, eyes dark with desire but laced with something softer-reverent. "You feel it too, don't you?" he asked, voice low, strained. I didn't have words. Only a breathless nod. Because I did feel it. This wasn't like the other times.

This wasn't just heat or lust. It was deeper. More intimate. Like every touch was a vow and every kiss a promise.

His mouth wrapped around my nipple, and I gasped sharply, clutching the back of his head as he sucked gently, then a little harder-just enough to make me whimper. His hand slid down between my thighs, and the second his fingers grazed over me, I lost my breath completely.

"You're soaked," he murmured, almost in awe. "God, Tatiana..."

He slid two fingers inside me, curling them just right, and my hips bucked toward his hand involuntarily. He watched my face as he moved inside me, like he was studying the very essence of my pleasure. And when his thumb circled my clit- I shattered.

The first orgasm hit me fast and hard, my body curling, clenching around his fingers as his name spilled from my lips like a prayer. He didn't stop. He kissed me through it, swallowed my cries, held me like I was something fragile, rare.

And then he undressed the rest of the way.

The moment his skin pressed against mine-hot, slick, burning with tension-I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled him in. He entered me slowly, deeply. We both gasped. It felt like the first time all over again. But more. So much more.

His forehead pressed against mine as he moved, every stroke slow and deep, every breath caught between kisses and whispered names. The rhythm built, unhurried but intense. My hands gripped his back, my nails dragging along his spine, anchoring myself to reality.

It wasn't just sex. It wasn't just pleasure. It was soul-burning."I don't know what this is," I whispered, voice breaking as he thrust deeper, his hips rolling against mine. "But it feels different, Scott..."

"I know," he said through gritted teeth, picking up his pace, his hands clutching my thighs, spreading me wider. "God, I know."

And then he kissed me-messy, needy, like he was pouring every ounce of love, want, pain, hope into my mouth. His thrusts became faster, harder, but never losing that sensual rhythm that made me feel worshipped.

I felt it building again. Tighter. Hotter. Deeper."Don't stop," I begged."I won't," he growled, voice raw. "Come with me. Please, baby-come with me." And when we did-together-it wasn't just pleasure. It was a collapse. A detonation of everything we were.

Like the universe cracked open, and for one breathless second, there was only us. No noise. No world. Just heartbeats.

Just him.

**********

The next morning, sunlight kissed my bare shoulders, the golden warmth pulling me gently from the best sleep I'd had in months. My body still tingled from the night before-every nerve still humming with memory.

I rolled over and found Scott already watching me, propped on one elbow, that cocky little smirk tugging at his lips.

"You always stare at people while they sleep?" I teased."Only when I'm making sure the most beautiful woman in the world didn't disappear overnight."I groaned and buried my face in the pillow, giggling. "Too early for cheesy lines, babe."

He kissed my shoulder and whispered, "I meant every word."

We stayed wrapped in each other a few minutes longer, before the day began to pull me back into reality. Meetings. Landmark. Catching up with Kat. I didn't want the bubble to pop, but I had things to do.

**********

Later That Night

**********

The music thumped low and smooth in the background, the bar dimly lit and cozy-our favorite spot, the one where the drinks were strong and the gossip even stronger.

I spotted Katrina before she even waved. High ponytail. Black leather pants. That signature deep red lipstick that made every head turn. My best friend. My ride-or-die."Hey hot stuff!" I grinned, sliding into the booth across from her.

"Ugh, babe, look at you glowing like the damn sun," Katrina smirked, eyeing me with suspicion. "What's the sauce? You look excited and giddy like you just had a week-long orgasm or something." I choked on my drink, laughing. "Honestly? Close."

I bit my lip, then slowly extended my left hand across the table. Katrina's eyes dropped-and widened. "Oh my God." She looked up, her mouth hanging open. "He proposed?" I nodded, beaming. "And I said yes." Katrina stared at me for a second too long. Then-

A smile. Wide. But... tight.

"That's amazing, Tati. Wow. Congratulations!" she said, lifting her glass. "You're finally getting that fairytale ending."

"Cheers to that," I said, clinking our glasses together.

But I saw it.

That tiny flicker in her eyes. That split-second drop in her smile. The way her laugh didn't quite reach her eyes after the toast.

I brushed it off.

Maybe she was still stressed-she'd been job hunting for weeks with no luck, and I knew how badly she needed something stable. That had to be it. Right?

"So," I said casually, leaning forward. "About the job situation..."

Katrina perked up slightly, her drink halfway to her lips."What would you think of... working with Scott?" I asked, watching her reaction carefully. "I mean, his company's expanding. They're always on the lookout for good PR talent. You're insanely qualified."

Her eyes lit up, fast. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious. I'll put in a word. With your résumé, you'd be in by next week."

"Tatiana!" she gasped, grabbing my hands across the table. "You're a lifesaver." I laughed. "Please. You've pulled me out of darker places. It's nothing."She was smiling again-bigger this time-but something still felt... off. Or maybe I was just imagining things.

Maybe I was overthinking it.

Maybe.