Chapter 34

As I leanin to kiss Ameline, it's like stepping into a different world—a world where only the two of us exist. Her lips are soft, yielding under mine, and I feel a jolt of something powerful, a connection that goes beyond the physical. My hands trail down her back, each touch reaffirming this indescribable bond we share.

This kiss, it's not just a kiss. It's an awakening, a realization of feelings long suppressed, emotions that have been simmering just beneath the surface. The way she clings to me, the soft moan that escapes her lips—it's all-consuming. I'm aware of every point where our bodies meet, of the heat that radiates between us.

I want her badly. I want so much more.

The taste of her is intoxicating, like a promise of something more, something so deep.

I want to dive into these uncharted waters with her, to explore the depths of what we could be. But there's a voice in the back of my mind, a nagging reminder of the reality we face—her health, her father's threats, the uncertainty of her future—our future.

It's so hard to stopand break this kiss, but I do it gasping for air and trying to calm my body. Knowing that we have to come up with a solution to her medical insurance right away. When her beautiful bright eyes stare at me I get an idea. Why didn't I think of this?

I grab her hand, interlacing our fingers. Her palm is clammy, her pulse racing beneath my thumb. I brush my lips against hers one more time. "I think I got the solution."

"You do, huh?" she scoffs. "Kissing isn't it."

"Well, it might include a kiss or two," I tell her.

"Really?" she laughs.

I pause, considering my next words carefully. Knowing that I wouldn't mind spending an eternity with her. Loving her. Caressing her, and caring for her but only if she allows it—if she'll have me.

"Marry me," I say, meaning those two words not just as a proposal to fix her current situation, but because I do want a lot more from her.

Her eyes go wide. "What?" she shrieks. "Are you insane?"

"Marry me," I repeat, trying to sound calm and then add, "You can get on my insurance. I'll pay for the treatments, whatever it takes."

Disbelief crosses her face. She lets out a shaky laugh. "You can't be serious."

I meet her gaze steadily. "I've never been more serious about anything in my life."

She searches my eyes, realization dawning. "You would really do that for me?"

I squeeze her hand. "I would do anything for you. I—" I catch myself, not knowing if telling her how I feel is the right thing to do at this time. "I care about you. Deeply."

Her lips part slightly. Several heartbeats pass.

"Okay," she finally whispers.

I press a kiss to her knuckles. "No wait, I'm lying."

"You don't want to marry me?" she asks confused, her eyes searching mine. It's obvious that she's struggling to process my sudden declaration. Or maybe I'm saying something completely wrong.

"No, Ameline, it's not just that I care about you," I state nervously. "I love you. I'm in love with you, deeply and irrevocably."

Her mouth falls open in shock. "You . . . you what?" she stammers.

I pull her into my arms, holding her close as if she's the most precious thing in the world. "I'm in love with you, Ameline Lewis. I've been madly in love with you for a long time. It took me a while to accept that this could be real. That we could be more than just friends. The timing might not be the best but . . ." I shrug as if saying, "What are you going to do?"

She swallows hard. "You love me?" Her voice barely a whisper.

"Why is that so hard to believe?" I ask, looking into her eyes, trying to convey the depth of my feelings.

"I always thought you saw me as just some girl who invaded your apartment when she needed to hide from her wicked stepmother," she states.

"That's how it started," I confess. "But somewhere along the way, I fell for you. You think I bake cakes for just anyone?" I try to lighten the mood with a small smile.

She presses her lips and nods.

"Well, no," I continue. "I don't just bake cakes or come up with crazy contests to get Helen off your back, or do half the things I've done, for anyone else."

Ameline wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a kiss that feels like a revelation. Her lips are soft yet insistent. Ameline melts into my embrace, her body trembling against mine. I try to convey my love, the hope and everything I can in this kiss.

After a long moment, she pulls back just enough to look up at me. Her eyes are rimmed red but there's a spark of hope flickering within them now.

"So we're really doing this, huh?" Her voice is hushed. "Getting married?"

I brush a strand of hair from her face and tuck it behind her ear. "Only if you're sure. I don't want you to feel pressured. Though, it'd help a lot with the insurance."

She bites her lip. "I just . . . I don't want you to feel obligated. This is asking so much."

"I want to help you through this, Ameline. Any way I can." I pause. "And I meant what I said. I would be honored to be your husband."

Fresh tears well in her eyes. She cradles my face in her hands.

"You're too good to be true, Gabriel. What did I ever do to deserve you?"

Before I can respond, she presses her lips to mine in a gentle, searching kiss. It steals my breath away.

When we finally break apart, she rests her forehead against mine. A hint of a smile tugs at her mouth.

"Okay, then, fiancé. Let's get married."

It only takes a second for her to say, "What if they catch us, and they declare insurance fraud?"

I roll my eyes. "Baby, don't borrow trouble, okay? If you don't feel comfortable using my insurance, I have savings." I offer her a small smile.

She doesn't need to know about my trust fund, or the money I make from the royalties I get with all the music I've composed for my father. She'll learn about the Decker fortune later, much later.

She searches my eyes for a long moment as if trying to absorb my confidence through osmosis. Finally she lets out a shaky breath and nods.

"Okay. You're right. One step at a time." She attempts a watery smile. "Sorry for . . . I'm so scared, Gabe. It's not only about the money. I'm focused on that because it's something I can somehow control. But . . . if something goes wrong during the surgery I could?—"

"We're going to have positive thoughts," I interrupt her, knowing what could happen if something goes wrong. I could lose her, but I won't lose her.

I fold her into my arms, gently stroking her hair. "I know. But we're going to visit the best doctors and get second opinions before they do anything. You'll get the best care, I promise."

She clings to me tightly, finally allowing herself to break down and cry. I just hold her close, silently letting her know I'll be her rock for as long as she needs me.

Ameline's sobs eventually subside into sniffles. She pulls back slightly to look up at me, her eyes rimmed red.

"Thank you," she whispers. "For being here. For everything."

I brush a strand of hair from her cheek and kiss her. "You don't need to thank me. Just let me love you and take care of you."

She bites her lower lip, glancing away as she debates something internally. After a moment, she meets my gaze again.

"Do you really want to marry me?"

I'm momentarily taken aback, not having expected her to seriously consider my spur-of-the-moment suggestion. But looking into her uncertain eyes, I find myself nodding. Do I want to spend the rest of my life with this woman?

The answer comes quite fast. "Yeah, of course I do. I know the timing isn't ideal, but . . . as I said, I love you, Ame."

She gasps. "That's the one thing that's hard to understand."

"Yeah, I have for a long time. I've been waiting for . . ." I shrug because honestly I can't seem to remember why I was avoiding this. Archer is right, I can't just wait for the right moment or let something like this go.

Fresh tears shimmer in her eyes, but she quickly blinks them back. A tiny, hopeful smile tugs at her lips.

"I've been a very stupid man for not giving you what you deserve, but after we get you back to health I'll make it up to you."

She shakes her head. "Your timing sucks, but I love you too, Gabe."

Joy wells up inside me, tempered by the gravity of the situation. I press a soft kiss to her forehead, then pull her close again, holding this amazing woman who somehow agreed to be my wife.

Ameline pulls back slightly to meet my eyes, her own still glistening. "I can't believe we're really doing this," she says with a nervous laugh.

I brush a strand of hair from her cheek. "It's fast, I know. But I've never been more certain of anything."

She nods, a shy smile playing on her lips. "So, when should we . . . you know, make it official?"

"Well, we'll need to get a marriage license first. We could go down to the courthouse sometime this week if you want. Make it quick and easy."

Her nose crinkles adorably. "Okay. Once I'm better we can try a small wedding, maybe?"

I can't help but grin at the thought. "Of course, anything you want. We could find a little chapel or garden to have the ceremony. Just close family and friends. Does that sound good?"

Though, only family and friends means at least three hundred people, but maybe she'll be used to the Deckers by the time we do a big ceremony.

"It sounds perfect," she agrees, eyes shining.