Alecia rolled over and wrapped her arms around her waist as a chill swept over her body. Fingers brushed her bare skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps. What had happened to the blankets and Ryder? The whole night, she had listened to his heartbeat thumping against her ear. She reached for the sheets, but grabbed something solid. A hand. She opened her eyes and smiled at Ryder who leaned over her. His damp hair was brushed back, making his eyes stand out. Those eyes had held so much compassion last night when she started to cry from the pain. “What are you doing?” she asked. “Just watching you sleep. You’re so beautiful.” “Oh.” She looked down over her bare body. He must have pulled the sheets off of her. She sat up and pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs. “Close your eyes,” he said. She closed them. Something cold encircled her neck and fell over her skin, making her hand fly to her throat. Jewels. The edges felt so smooth. They must be of the finest quality. “You can open them.” Alecia opened her eyes and looked down at the string of diamonds that glittered against her skin. How beautiful. Men only gave diamonds to girls they loved. “I was waiting for the right moment to give this to you.” Something warm swept through her. A moment as beautiful as last night. “Ryder, I....” Alecia caressed the smooth edges of the diamonds. “I love them.” “Do you?” She nodded. “You are so good to me.” “You were good to me last night.” Heat spread across her cheeks. “I wanted to be.” “I’m glad, but I want you to know I really love you,” he said, staring straight into her eyes, entrancing her. “And I’m not going to leave you.” Her heart felt light. He had made a promise not to leave her. Ryder lifted her hair and she clasped the necklace ends together. “I’ll wear it all day.” “Thank you.” He kissed her on the lips, laying her back onto the bed - the scent of his sandalwood cologne floated all over her. No voices talked to her this time, and the harsh feeling was gone. Good. She could now concentrate on pleasing him. When they were done, Ryder rolled off of her, put on a t-shirt and his boxers. His face had a brightness to it, and he had a bounce in his steps. “I’m going to get a drink.” Alecia put on the dress shirt he wore last night, and grabbed some boxers from one of his drawers. She followed him into the kitchen. Brandon sat at the table, sipping a cup of coffee and reading a newspaper. He lowered the paper – his eyes wide. “Hey.” She raised her hand. Lucas nodded as a smirk slipped on his face. He knew. Which meant Taylor and Chloe would know soon. Ryder poured two glasses of orange juice and handed her one. She took a sip, glancing over the glass. Lucas wouldn’t look away. Was it that big of a shock that she had spent the night with Ryder? Chloe probably spent many nights with Lucas. But Lucas' look made her feel dirty, a slut like those girls had called her. She turned around and headed to the fridge, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that he still watched her. She had to get him out of the house. She opened the fridge and spotted a twelve-pack of beer, a half pint of milk and nothing else. “You don’t have any food.” “We mostly eat out,” Ryder said. She closed the fridge. “Can you go to the store and get some food? I’ll make you two breakfast.” “Let’s just go out to eat.” Lucas stood and pushed the chair against the table. His eyes were so animated. “Ryder, let her make us breakfast.” Alecia turned to Ryder and smiled. “Okay.” He set his glass down and headed towards the bathroom. Alecia sat on a stool at the bar. Maybe Lucas would get the shock out of his system before they returned. Ryder brushed a lock of hair out of his eye as he got into the car just seconds before Brandon sat next to him. Later, he would have to talk to him about how he followed Alecia's every move like she was some exhibit. Besides, there was nothing different about the girl, she was still innocent and in, a way still, virginal. “Details,” Lucas said. Lucas had a bright smile on his face, expectation in his eyes. Ryder squeezed the steering wheel. “No.” Lucas slapped Ryder's arm. “Oh, come on, you always tell me details.” His voice rose. “I’m not sharing her.” Lucas raised his hands in the air. “Whatever, man. Don’t freak out.” Ryder started the car. “Just don’t ask me about her.” Lucas changed the subject to his experiences from last night. He didn’t want to hear about the other girls; he just wanted to think of Alecia and how good last night had felt. He replayed it in his head, feeling the desire rise again. She was so perfect, so delicate and last night was wonderful. She had been timid, scared and just lay there, but he had never found more pleasure in a woman. As he caressed her, promising it wouldn’t always hurt, he knew he would always be happy and could do whatever his father wanted, just as long as she was his. He would make her his mate no matter what his father said. Ryder walked in the door of his apartment, holding a medium brown package. It had started to snow this morning, which had delayed him from returning home to Alecia. Hopefully, she believed the note he left, saying he had to take care of something for school. He had gone to a rare bookstore in town, but they didn’t have what he wanted; the clerk had called another bookstore in Sri Lanka and found it there. He had waited as one of the interns at the firm flew into New York with it. He then picked up the ring from the jewelry store. After patting his pocket to make sure the small black box was still there, he shrugged off his coat and looked around the apartment, finding Alecia asleep on the couch, lost in a dream. He went to where she lay, and kissed her on the head. She opened her eyes and smiled. “Get done what you needed to?” Her eyelids flickered. He had never seen such a beautiful face. “I want today to be all about you. It’s snowing Ally.” Her eyes widened. “It is?” She slid off of the couch and ran to the window. She lifted the blinds and stared out at the white scene. “It’s so beautiful.” He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Not as beautiful as you.” “Let’s go outside,” she said. “Go put on some warm clothes.” It only took her five minutes before she returned all bundled up in a light brown coat and a purple wool hat pulled over her head. The smile on her face reminded him of the brown box that sat on the floor next to the couch. “Let’s go,” she said, slipping on some gloves. “Before we do, I want to give you something.” He walked over to the couch and picked up the box, before handing it to her. He stared into her light blue eyes, feeling himself lost in them. “I wanted to give you something really special.” “What is it?” “Just open it.” Alecia opened the box. She gasped and then dropped it. “Ally.” He bent down and picked up the box. His whole body warmed at the sight of her wide bright eyes. He had chosen well. “Where did you find it?” she asked. “I searched all day, and finally found it at a bookstore two hours from here.” He handed it back to her. “It’s a first edition.” “I know.” “Romeo and Juliet. Oh, Ryder!.” She flung her arms around him; still holding the book. “You make me so happy.” She pulled from him. “I wish I could do something like this for you.” “Maybe you’ll have your chance later.” He squeezed her. She kissed him on the cheek and wrapped her arms tighter around his neck. “I will.” Yes, she would. He held her for a few more minutes before reminding her of the snow. Alecia laid her head against Ryder's shoulders as a small gathering of children worked together erecting a snowman as white flakes floated around them. Maybe someday they would watch their own children trying to complete such a task. “The Yankees should have won that game,” Ryder said. “But….” A yawn escaped her lips. She wanted a child with silver - gray eyes and his dark brown hair. But she was getting ahead of herself. Ryder wrapped her in his arms and continued on about the ballgame, spooning her, she stretched out her hand and grasped a small handful of snow. Her hand flew to the top of Ryder's head and plopped it down on his black knit hat. He pushed his lips into a thin line while scrunching his eyes. His cheeks took on a pink color as snow dropped over his brow. He opened his eyes. “You know, sweetheart, you shouldn’t start a fight with someone bigger than you.” She busted out laughing as Ryder swept her in his arms and carried her to a pile of snow and dropped her. The powdery snow surrounded her and chilled her to the bone as he began to bury her. She gazed into his eyes full of light and mischief. She had never seen him so childish. This was her man, the one she loved. With the balls of her feet, she pushed the swing back and forth, but she couldn’t generate enough heat to warm her chilled body. Ryder gazed out into the distance as he told her about his father’s firm. “Someday I’m going to run that firm, Ally. Can you see it?” She smiled. She could. What a leader he would make. Life with him would be wonderful. If she could just stay with him, helping him accomplish his dreams, like a wife should. He would have his firm and she would have her small class of kindergarteners. Together they could shape lives, just on different scales. Ryder stood. He must want to leave. She planted her feet onto the ground but he motioned for her to stay seated. He stepped in front of her, taking her hands. His blue eyes didn’t waver, showing every ounce of confidence in him. “I’ve got big plans, Alecia, but all I really want is you.” “Well, you got me.” Her cheeks warmed. “No, I really want you.” Ryder knelt, and brought her hands to his face, kissing her knuckles. “I really love you, and I want us to be together forever. My life wouldn’t be worth it without you.” Alecia sucked in air. Where was this conversation going? She searched his face, but not one emotion flickered across it. “I’ll always give you what you want,” Ryder continued. “And do anything to keep you happy. Just do me one favor.” “Always love you,” she said. Her smile stretched farther. “Yeah, that’s all I’ll ever want from you.” “Don’t worry. I can’t see myself loving anyone else.” Alecia tapped her feet on the ground. “Remember how this afternoon, you said you wish you could do something real special for me?” “Yeah.” Ryder reached into his pocket and removed his hand, revealing a three diamond princess cut ring. “Then become my wife.” Alecia lost her breath. That was what he wanted. Her as his wife. An intense heat filled her, spreading throughout every limb. “Am I going to get an answer?” She nodded, as tears slipped down her face. The smile on Ryder's face widened and he slipped the ring onto her finger. “Oh, my love,” he said, pulling her from the swing and grasping her in his arms. She rested her head on his chest, inhaling the scent of his cologne. Her plan had worked; she had made him happy, so he wanted her. She closed her eyes; she would be with him, forever.