Tag: proposal

Samantha

Samantha smiled as her searching gaze landed on the tall figure standing at the top of the staircase. He came. 

It had been months since he had last emerged from his work long enough to remember that there were functions and events he was supposed to be attending. For far too long she had let him bury himself in his work instead of confronting the feelings they had slowly been discovering for each other. During that same time she remembered every soaring kiss and lingering embrace they had ever shared; every conversation, touch, and look. She loved that man, stubborn as he was, and she was going to tell him tonight.

Never before had she asked him to emerge from his work cocoon for an event, for her. Until tonight she had simply gone without him, giving inane excuses for those who asked after him. Despite his loathing for such formal affairs, a part of her was thrilled that he had come since she had been brave enough to ask. The popularity and attention he had attained after his last few product unveilings had left him pulling back out of the focal point even more than usual. Samantha hadn’t bothered to inform him that most of the women drooling his way everywhere he went were not only impressed by his success but floored by his charming smile and meticulously handsome looks. He looked as though he commanded the world.

As his piercing gaze swept the room she felt herself being pulled to him. Slightly nervous, she smoothed her deep purple figure-accentuating dress that she had carefully picked out for the night.. 

Step after step she drew closer, her happiness overflowing in overwhelming waves. With great amounts of will she schooled her giddy grin into a socially acceptable smile. Not once did her eyes leave his broad frame, not wanting to miss a second of him being here for her. Instead she soaked in his impressively powerful stance, letting the delicious shivers he provoked tingle up and down her spine.

She knew she wasn’t the only woman in the room to notice him and she didn’t care. No one moved aside for her as she made her way forward. As she walked unerringly in his direction she could see the heads that were turned, watching him. By the looks of it, there were several women there who recognized him, moving forward to greet the famous man.

A jaggedly raw pulse of pure energy streamed through Samantha as their eyes finally connected, his searching gaze settling firmly on her. He ignored the few people who had the gumption to halt his now-determined stride towards her.  Samantha’s heart stuttered. His stoic features left her guessing as to whether he was irritated with her for asking him to come or if he was coming to kiss her senseless. In the back of her mind she knew that she wouldn’t have to wait too long to find out.

He stopped right in front of her, well inside her usual social bubble but not nearly close enough for her now, his hands rising to her arms. Samantha gave a small sigh at his touch, something she didn’t think she would ever get enough of. 

In less than a startled heartbeat she was pulled softly into his solid build, her mouth captivated in his. She was swept up in a whirlwind of intense feeling; glorious seconds of unconcealed love swirled in and around the two of them as she melted against him and into his tender embrace.

As he gently broke their kiss and eased back to look directly into her soft hazel eyes he whispered for only her to hear, “Are you surprised to see me?”

“Yes. But I had hoped you would come.” She confessed. “I am more than happily surprised that you made it.”

He continued to hold her close, his warm hands sending more heated tingles down her back. “But you had doubt?” His perceptive question forestalled any potential hedging she could have offered. Instead she glanced down at his chest. How could she explain to him that she wasn’t doubting him but that she knew him well enough to simply not expect him to come and subject himself to so much unwanted attention. He didn’t wait for any verbal confirmation. Instead he pulled more fully away, grabbing her hand as a small attempt to lessen the blow of his sudden distance. The acute loss of his physical support would have left her staggering if not for the steady grip with which he held her hand. Her gasp echoed her surprise.

“Logan?” She stammered. She did not have a chance to say more as she watched him gracefully bend down and take a knee, solemnly looking up into her startled tears. So fully focused on the fact that he was down on one knee in front of everyone she almost missed the tiny round black box he had pulled out of his pocket. It was then she realized that he had planned to be on his knee. She smiled back a few happy tears.

“Samantha Alyssa Brooks, let me forever take away all your doubts and fears. I know you asked me here in fear of losing me to my work.” He paused, smiling sheepishly. “I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I am here because you asked me to be here. However, I came to let you know that I am willing to give up anything and everything to give you what you want. Let me prove myself worthy of your incredible love. All I ask is that you say yes. So here I kneel, praying and hoping as I ask; will you marry me?”

Samantha tugged on his hand, ineffectively trying to pull him up. “Are you serious?” She breathed.

He nodded, remaining on his knees. “Please say yes, love. Please let me be yours for eternity.”

“Yes!” She exclaimed, “Now get up here and kiss me.”

Exploding to his feet he wrapped her up in his arms, kissing her thoroughly. A thunder of applause and cheers surrounding them finally recalled them to where they were. Smiling, Logan slipped the sparkling diamond ring onto her finger.

Elena

Creeping down the stairs, mindful of her father’s voice rumbling angrily in his study, Elena closed the front door with the barest of clicks. Even after sneaking out, she was irritated that a woman her age had to sneak from her parent’s house.  A 22 year old should not have to sneak. Again the thought crossed her mind that maybe she should finish her degree away from home. With it being online, she could finish anywhere. As she walked down the street to the 24 hour IHOP, she thought back on all the memories that had held her together while Sean was gone.

Once he had left she had no idea what step to take first to leave her parent’s agoraphobic house but she knew she had to go.

It didn’t take long to reach IHOP. She stepped into the brightly lit foyer and scanned the room. He was in the corner, blue eyes beaming her way.

“Elena.” He wrapped her up in a warm welcoming hug. “Six months was too long.”

Elena bit back her retort. She didn’t want her first words to be bitter. She settled for, “I missed you too Sean.”

His hug tightened briefly before he released her, looking into her eyes. “Come. Sit down and tell me everything I’ve missed.”

They settled back into the booth he had previously been waiting in and Elena stared at her best friend and at all the changes that must have happened over the past several months. It startled her into wondering how different she looked now? His once shaggy blonde hair was now impeccably trimmed with no sign that he ever let his beard grow out. There was a power in his eyes now, as if he was used to being in charge and expected to be listened to and taken seriously.

“I am thinking you need to laugh more in your life.” Elena let slip.

Sean’s eyes widened, rapidly followed by a bright smile. A laugh twinkled through his eyes. “You never did have a problem calling me out. Especially when I needed more happiness around.”

Elena blushed.

But Sean continued, “Are you doing alright E? I’ve worried about you.”

So simple a confession but still it warmed her senses. And out it all came. Her plans to leave, her secret apartment shopping, chafing against the strictures that had long held her in her room, even her desire to find a new job out of state once she was finished with her degree. The longer she talked the more she felt the months spent apart becoming inconsequential.

Sean listened to it all. And after she finished spilling out everything she had been wanting to tell him, out came the questions that had bothered her over and over again. “Where have you been Sean? Why did you have to leave? And why for so long?”

He almost looked guilty but quickly straightened, reaching out for her hand. She didn’t, couldn’t, move away from the searing heat his touch instilled. It had been lonely without him.

With his other hand he rubbed his face. “Elena, I am so sorry. I made a deal with my father. Once I graduated college he wanted me to go straight into the family business and train to take over. I wasn’t ready and demanded a break before I committed so fully to the company. I wanted a life. I didn’t want to be me for a while.” He paused to squeeze her hand. “He agreed to two months of complete freedom in exchange for six months of full dedication to the company.”

Elena stared at him. This man in front of her was not the vacationing, happy go lucky guy she had known and fallen for. He wasn’t entirely different but definitely more focused, polished even. She had been drawn to his confidence before. Now, it was as if he glowed with self assurance. Sean had become a force of nature to be reckoned with.

“So, what’s the family business?” she asked, tentatively.

“You don’t know?”

She cocked her head to the side, staring honestly over at him. “No. Should I?”

Sean shrugged, almost looking embarrassed. “I guess I just assumed you would look me up at one point.”

Elena shook her head. “I don’t pry into anyone’s life on the internet. Too many lies and half truths.”

It was Sean’s turn to grin, sheepishly. “I should have known you wouldn’t.” He let out a big sigh. “My dad founded Trelling Conglomerate. It started out small but two years ago it went international. Since I left here I have been traveling, helping cement new business partnerships around the globe.”

“Oh.” Elena wanted to say more but she sat back in shock. That was not what she imagined at all. Son of a huge multi-national business. Heir to a fortune. How small she seemed in the big picture of his life when he was such a prominent part of hers. She ventured, “How did you find time to come all the way back here?”  

When he leaned forward, across the table, her attention was riveted. “Elena, this trip back here has been in my schedule and unchangeable since the second I left. I promised my dad six months with no social distractions of any kind, but I wasn’t going to wait a single day passed that to come back to you.”

She mentally staggered under the immensity of emotion his confession charged in her. “What now?” she whispered.

“Well, as far as plans go, I had hoped to spend time with you for the week I’m here. I was hoping you’d still be willing to go on a few dates, talk things over and figure how we can best move forward together no matter where that is. Then, in a week I will have to head back to New York to settle things.” He paused, looking beyond anxious but excited. Elena couldn’t figure out how to feel. It was more than she had hoped for in all the time she had ached to be with him. Her gaze zeroed in on his very kissable mouth as he began to talk again.

“When I leave, Elena I was hoping you would come with me.”

Shock again coursed through her, leaving her energized and giddy. She smiled and began to nod when she noticed he was holding out a small box over the table. He pulled it open to display a diamond ring. She smothered her gasp with her hands as tears rolled.

“Elena, love. I know it has been a long time, but there has never been any doubt for me that you are the one I want to spend eternity with. Will you marry me?”

All she could do was nod and cry. Sean stood and slid into her side of the booth, easing the ring onto her finger and whispering into her ear, “I love you E.”

Sarah

Sarah sat patiently in the Audi’s passenger seat and smiled through the window at the man walking around to open her door. As much as she wanted to get out and look around, she loved it when Matt opened the door for her even more. When it slipped his mind, she happily waited in the car until he noticed. It usually didn’t take long. He always remembered… eventually.

Wiggling her toes she glanced down at her worn out sneakers. Hopefully it wouldn’t get too hot while they were hiking. Her door opened and she took his extended hand. She pulled herself out of the car to kiss him. Even after dating him for a year, kissing him just didn’t grow old.

She broke away reluctantly so he could close her door. Gazing past the parking lot at the trees crowding both sides of the path, Sarah couldn’t help but take a big deep breath. Being outdoors was such a big stress reliever!

Matt came up behind her and slowly eased his hands around her waist until she could lean back into his chest, enfolded in his embrace. For several minutes they stood there, enjoying the simple fact that they were together and in love. It was Matt who broke the quiet first by spitting out a few stray hairs of Sarah’s that had blown into his mouth.

With a giggle Sarah spun out of Matt’s arms and grabbed hold of his hand. “Let’s go.”

They were having too much fun to do any serious hiking as they meandered along the trail. Sarah drank in all the beautiful fall colors. How could she not be completely happy when she was not only surrounded by nature but also with the one person she wanted to be with for the rest of her life?

Shaking herself out of her thoughts she pointed up at a huge rock on the side of the path.

“That one!” She exclaimed.

“What about it?” Matt asked, using the distraction to pull her in under his arm. She didn’t hesitate to snake her arm back and around his waist. The closer the better.

With a small hip check, she nodded up. “I want to climb it.” She gave him her very best ‘duh’ face. “I want to stand on top and see the world at our feet.”

Laughing, he agreed.

In a matter of minutes they reached the base, all while pushing each other around like two year olds. With an exaggerated bow Matt proclaimed loudly. “After you, milady.”

Sarah shoved him a little. “You just want to watch me climb.”

All he did in reply was smile. Shaking her head, she began the climb. It took longer than she thought because Matt would randomly grab hold of her foot. He didn’t pull or anything dangerous, but it sure made it hard when she couldn’t pick up her foot to step up higher.

“Stop grabbing me!” She hollered down. As she heard him chuckle back, he snatched at her foot again.

“It isn’t me.” He wriggled his fingers up her legs like spiders, “It’s the rock monsters.” With a soft smack to her calf, he called up. “Don’t worry. I got it.” Again she took a step up, laughing.

Reaching the top, Sarah let out a whoop and did a little victory dance. Matt took his time.

While she waited, she turned in a full circle, looking out across the tops of the trees in every direction. Even the trail they had been following was hard to discern from up top.

Matt’s head popped into view. “What? No help?” He bemoaned.

With a laugh she reached her hand out, “Want some help Matty?”

“Peas!” He fake whined.

Both collapsed into giggles after she did indeed help him up. After several minutes laying there giggling and poking each other Sarah sat up and dangled her feet off the not-quite-steep ledge. Matt followed her over and gently wrapped his arm around her; effectively taking her in against him once more.

Sarah lay there, head on his shoulder, drinking in the view as well as Matt’s closeness. Far too often work, school, and well-meaning friends intruded on what little time they could spend together. This hike was perfect. Just the two of them for the whole day.

Matt stirred beside her, giving off an almost anxious air that hadn’t been there minutes earlier.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, still snuggling while attempting to look up into his face. He didn’t look at her but smiled quickly.

“Nothing.”

“Liar.” She softly accused. It wasn’t anger that filled her but curiosity. Why would he lie to her? And why on earth was he so nervous?

She felt rather than saw him shake his head. He didn’t answer her accusation. “Matt?” She questioned, seeking to pull his attention back.

He had begun to shake, his nerves getting the best of him and Sarah was beginning to worry. If he had to end their all-day date early she was going to be heartbroken. Already she started preparing for the worst. In an effort to pull him out of his fog she nudged him and asked, “Ready to climb down and keep hiking?” Even to her, her enthusiasm sounded forced.

Matt stood up and stuck his hands in his pockets, looking everywhere but at her.

Enough of the weird behavior. This was not how she was going to spend her day.

Sarah stepped right in front of Matt. Fists on hips she glared up at him. “Alright. Spill.”

“Huh.” His distracted gaze landed on her. Her in-the-face approach at least got his attention. “Oh sorry Sarah. I’m just a little distracted. It’s fine. I’m fine.”

“Well I’m not. Un-distract yourself.” She smiled and went up on tiptoes to give him a small kiss to soften her demand.

Under his breath he muttered, “Now’s as good as any.” Before she could question that odd comment her question was answered as he dropped down on one knee.

Sarah heart stopped and shock sprinkled across the absolute joy spreading over her features.

The nervousness Matt had been exuding disappeared and her confident and outgoing man made a startling comeback.

“Sarah. From that first date when we had a picnic in the rain, I have known you are such a special person. Everyday I am more and more certain that I never want to let you go. I want to be with you for eternity. Will you marry me?”

Halfway through his proposal Sarah was already nodding. “Yes!” she beamed.

He slid the ring on her finger and rose to kiss her. It may not have been perfect since she had sort of bullied him into spitting out the proposal without realizing what she was doing, but she was now his fiance.

“I love you Matt!” She exclaimed as she threw her arms around his neck.