Free Scorpion by Cyndi Goodgame Page A

read this right, but I hope it comes across the way I want or at least you will want.  I know we haven’t spent much time together, but I know what I know regardless. I want forever with you.”
    I waited.  A different fear gripped me like ice.  I was really and truly speechless every time he opened up like this for me.  I didn ’t feel I deserved him.  Men didn’t talk like this unless...
    Say something, he insisted.
    I don’ t know what to say.  He sucked the words right out of me.
    Anything.
    I pondered like always carefully choosing my words, “I didn’t know how my life would play out.  I sure didn’t know you were going to come along.  I could have never predicted it.  My life…this prophecy…I have no control—
    He started to speak and I put my hand to his mouth. He stiffened but I couldn ’t see or tell why.  “I think maybe I am nuts.  I have to be.  But I know one thing for sure,” I looked directly into his eyes.  “I absolutely am very thankful my father made me come, I absolutely don’t want to be anywhere else, and I absolutely want you to want me the rest of whatever this life involves.  But I want it to be by mine,” I put my hand on my heart first and then his, “and your decision.”
    “I am not sorry at all that your father asked for you to be here no matter how much I willingly encouraged it. I can and will protect you.  I absolutely love you with everything I have and will spend every waking moment till you make that decision if that ’s what you want.”
    It ’s what I want Cas.  It’s definitely what I want.
    He picked me up and twirled me around pulling my shirt up with it.  When he let me back down, and I could look up, I saw the most happiness in his eyes I ’d ever seen.  I adjusted my clothes as he watched me noting the way he analyzed my mark.
    You ’re not asking me to marry you right now, right?
    No, but I will one day.  When you ’re ready.
    I sighed.
    “What?” he asked out loud.
    I guarded my thoughts.  He tried to find out what I was thinking.  I tried really hard but a picture of him in a tux seeped in my head.  He ’d seen the thread of thoughts by his look.
    “I want to ask you something.”  He got down on one knee.
    “What are you doing?” I gasped.
    ”Will you go out with me tonight?  Let ’s forget the world for a day.”
    Where?  Shoo!  That scared me.
    “Not telling, but I took the pleasure of ordering something for you.  I shouldn ’t have been so assuming, but I guess I was hopeful.  It’s in your closet in the closed garment bag.  Meet me at the bottom of the stairs at 5:00.” 
    He placed a very chaste kiss on my cheek and left out of the kitchen before I could protest.   I stood there a while, my mind going in every direction.  I was still there when the kitchen behind me came to life with others and hinted that I might be more comfortable elsewhere so I left and went to my room alone. 
                 

Chapter Eight
... it was the best of times.
     
     
    I ’d yet to hear about the morning and how it went.  We’d got so caught up in our world of needs we’d forgotten the rest.  I vowed to ask about it and the Elves I have yet to learn more about.  They were so intent on keeping me in the dark.  Regardless of personal safety, I had a right to know.
    I opened the closet and searched for this purchase he must have made before I came back wondering if it had been his aim.  I’m not really up to thinking about the why’s but more what comes later.
    With no obvious item standing out I started to push one dress over, then my own skirts and such.  I ’d brought pretty much the twenty or so outfits I loved other than my favorites that fit quite well and dandily folded in the drawers.  I’m a jeans and princess sleeve tee kind of girl with a little flare.  Add some boots, favorite heels, or nice comfy flip-flops and I’m good to go.
    A flick of the light switch and we were in business.  My