Chapter 6

6

ROXIE

I t’s been one week since we left Sunflower Springs and the horrible future set up for me there. One week since I felt the freedom of driving like hell out of there and into the unknown. One week since I said fuck you to the person everyone wanted me to be and embraced the woman I really am.

And I’ve never been happier in my entire life.

The city is so much bigger than I even imagined. Nothing like the tiny town my whole life has been confined to until now. There’s always something happening here, always movement and noise and life.

The first night I spent at Ronan’s apartment—our apartment as he declared—I stared out the window for hours, looking down on the city from the top floor of a high-rise building. Cars and lights and people as small as ants moved down below, fascinating me. The apartment was even more beautiful, though. Luxurious and modern but undecorated and sparse thanks to the fact Ronan had only just moved in before shit went down and he got sent to prison.

It’s the perfect blank slate, the perfect new start, and Ronan’s given me free rein to decorate however I like. I have so many plans for it, so many plans for my new life—our new life.

I know that running away and living with a guy two weeks after I met him is, well, insane in other people’s minds. But it just feels right. I regret none of it, and I refuse to fight the things that have brought me so much happiness. I love Ronan. I love how he makes me feel. I love how he supports and encourages me to embrace my freedom and do whatever the fuck I want instead of trying to control me and make decisions for me like everyone else always has.

I love who I am when I’m with him.

We’re at one of the bars Ronan owns, and he’s in the back with his brother discussing business stuff, while I lean against the bar and chat to the girl finishing stacking glasses and restocking the bar for the grand reopening in a few days. Her name is Rhona and she’s taken me under her wing since Ronan introduced me to her a few days ago.

She might just be the closest thing to a real friend I’ve ever had.

“I’m nearly done then we’ll be all set for the opening,” she tells me as she wipes her hands on a towel.

“So exciting,” I say, smiling wide. The place looks amazing, with all sparkling black surfaces and luxurious leather booths. I can already imagine it packed, music playing, drinks flowing, and people partying. I want to be in the middle of it, by Ronan’s side, experiencing everything life has to offer.

“You should come work here with us,” Rhona says, raising a brow at me.

I blink, considering it. “I’d probably be shit at bartending,” I say with a shrug. “Besides, I’m sure Ronan wants actual trained, skilled workers, not people whose closest qualification is managing to pour a glass of wine without spilling it everywhere.”

Rhona laughs, shaking her head at me. “You could ask that man for the moon and he’d find a way to lasso it down from the sky for you,” she says in a stage-whisper voice, leaning across the bar. “Besides, I could train you. I like you, Roxie. Come work with me and save me from being bored all shift.” She winks at me conspiratorially, and I realize she’s being deadly serious.

Ronan mentioned briefly that there was space for me in his businesses if I wanted it, but I wasn’t sure if I’d be any good. I don’t want to ruin anything for him. But Rhona’s right, she could train me. I’m a quick learner, and I’m used to basic customer service.

“You want to work here? Job’s yours, sunflower,” Ronan interrupts, surprising me. I was so caught up in my own thoughts I didn’t even realize he was done with his meeting.

“Really?” I ask, smiling as Rhona looks at me with a told you so expression in her brown eyes.

“Of course,” Ronan says, like it’s obvious. “I’ll schedule a training shift if you’re okay with it, Rhona, and you can learn the ropes.”

Rhona agrees enthusiastically, looking very pleased with herself, as she tidies the last things away before waving goodbye.

“Where’s your brother?” I ask Ronan, realizing we’re alone in the bar.

“We’re done for the day. He’s off home,” Ronan explains, waving his hand through the air as if dismissing the thought of other people completely. “But there’s something I wanted to show you before we go, sunflower.”

“What is it?” I ask, confused. I’ve already explored every inch of this space, or so I thought.

Ronan smirks at me, saying nothing as he holds out his hand in invitation. I take it without hesitation, letting him lead me around the back of the bar to a door I hadn’t noticed before.

Curiosity and eagerness fill me as he unlocks the door. A narrow staircase leads up, and Ronan keeps his hand on my waist, following me up the stairs in case I lose my balance. He’s always doing things like that, walking on the side of the sidewalk closest to the cars so his body is between me and the road, opening doors from me, pulling out my chairs for me to sit down. He might be an ex-con and not afraid to throw a punch, but he’s also a total gentleman at heart.

Basically, he’s perfect.

At the top of the stairs, Ronan reaches around me to open another metal door. I gasp as we step outside, late afternoon sunlight flooding my sight.

It takes me a second to take in where we are.

“The roof,” I breathe, turning in a circle to look around. The rooftop has been set out as another private bar area. Plush sofas and chairs are peppered around the space, a small bar in the center of it all, large plants and greenery mixing with the shiny black color scheme and giving the area a wild feel. “It’s beautiful.”

The view is just as stunning. Like in our apartment, I can see the whole city from up here. I stroll to the edge, where there’s tall fencing stopping anybody from slipping right off the side, and grip the barrier as I look down on the city. The sun is just beginning to set, the sky painted in streaks of deep blue, bright pink, and orange, casting the whole city in a rosy glow.

I sigh happily as Ronan’s arms circle my waist and he pulls my back flush against his chest, joining me at the edge of the roof. He leans down, kissing the crook of my throat and shoulder and making me shiver as sparks slide over my skin.

“I’m never letting you go, sunflower,” he murmurs against my skin.

I grin, leaning my head back on his shoulder. “I don’t want you to,” I tell him. “I don’t want to be anywhere else but right here with you.”

He hums low in his throat, as if he’s thinking. “Even if your father hates me?” he asks, and I shuffle in his grip, spinning around to face him. He’s even more stunning than the view, and I stare at him unashamedly. I can’t believe he’s mine.

I shake my head at him, laughing a little at his question. “If anything, my father hating you only makes me love you more,” I admit, which makes him chuckle.

“How did I get so fucking lucky?” He plants a soft kiss on my lips. I try to chase him, to deepen the connection, but he pulls away, mischief in his eyes.

“What are you doing?” I pout as he steps away.

“Patience, sunflower,” he laughs, making me break my fake pouting to smile at him. “Trust me, you’ll get all the kisses you want in a minute. Anywhere you want.”

I flush hot, my thighs pressing together as the image of his mouth all over my skin forms in my mind.

Yes, please.

“Why not now?” I tease, licking my lips.

“Because there’s something I want to do first,” he counters, and my curiosity returns. What’s he talking about?

Thankfully, he doesn’t make me wait to find out the answer to that question.

I gasp loudly as Ronan drops to one knee, silhouetted by the setting sun.

“Roxie, my feisty little sunflower,” he says as I step towards him, my hands shaking as I realize this is really happening. My heart is pounding so hard in my chest that I barely hear him speak. “You changed my life for the better. My world is so much brighter now that you’re in it, and I’d run away with you to every corner of the world if you let me. From the moment I saw you, I knew you were mine. My girl, my sunflower, my love.”

“Ronan,” I sob, overwhelmed with utter joy as I see the shining yellow stone in his hand, gleaming in the golden sun.

“Will you marry me, sunflower?” he asks, and I nod so hard the world spins around me.

“Oh my God, yes,” I cry out, jumping at him as he stands, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. “Yes, yes, yes,” I chant into his shoulder as I clutch him tight.

He laughs, his chest shaking beneath me. “Let me put the ring on then, baby.”

I reluctantly unravel myself from him.

He takes my hand, sliding the ring onto my ring finger. It fits perfectly, a yellow gold band and a teardrop-shaped yellow stone that takes my breath away.

It’s the same color as sunflower petals, beautiful and unique, and so damn gorgeous I can’t tear my eyes away.

“It’s yellow sapphire,” Ronan explains, running his thumb over the sparkling stone. “Diamond didn’t feel special enough. You needed something as bright and unique and beautiful as you are, sunflower.”

“Stop being so sweet or I’ll start sobbing again,” I warn him, burying my face in his chest again.

“No crying unless it’s crying out my name,” Ronan says with a low voice, and I remember his promise before.

“Kiss me, then,” I breathe, smiling so hard that when he does, our teeth knock together. I moan against his mouth, the weight of my new ring on my finger like a physical representation of the love and passion we share.

I lose myself in Ronan as he carries me over to a fancy sofa, spreads me out on the cushions, and makes sure not an inch of my body is left unkissed. I cry out his name to the setting sun, happiness and pleasure flooding me.

Ronan promised I wouldn’t ever marry anyone but him, and I can’t wait to make that a reality.