Chapter 68
The Engagement
Randi didn't know what to say. She had suspected that Martin was leading to something with the papers and the elaborate writing about future movies and sex scenes, but she had no idea he was leading up to this.
The moment he dropped to one knee, she knew it was really happening and she could feel the tears sting her eyes. She pushed the tears away, she wanted to see and remember every moment of this life changing experience.
Martin could lay it on thick and she'd known months ago that dating a skilled actor was going to be a lot of fun. From the moment he first kissed her - his actions, his movements, his timing - it could all be so overwhelming and exhilarating and she loved every minute of it.
She did not want to ruin this moment with the wrong words. At first she didn't speak but she did hold her hand out. He smiled a sly smile and held the ring out as if about to place it on her finger.
She could see he wanted confirmation and after a few seconds of just enjoying the moment and everything he'd said, she was able to speak.
“Martin Taylor, I love you more than words can say and I will gladly take you to be my husband, my lover and anything else you want to be."
After hearing her answer he smiled, and without taking his eyes from hers, slipped the ring onto her finger. The fact that he already had the ring made this even more special. He had planned this. He had known, that at some point on this trip, he would ask her this question.
She wanted to see the ring, wanted to look at it on her hand, but what she wanted more was to taste his kiss and to know that, from this moment on, his hands would only touch her body. The only thing that had worried her about marrying Martin Taylor had just been wiped away by the papers that lay upon the table and in the promise of the words he'd spoken.
Her lips touched his for a quick kiss, but instead of holding her for a longer kiss, he laughed and rose to his feet pulling her into his arms. "Randi, you’ve made me so happy. I was so afraid you would say ‘no’."
"Never. I love you and I don't know what to say."
"You said it all when you said ‘yes’."
"Yes, yes and yes."
He held her tightly, lifted her off her feet and swung her around laughing, until he finally set her down on the kitchen table.
"Now all we have to do is set a date."
"You don't waste any time."
"I never did. I don't see any sense in it. When you know what you want, go after it, get it and then move on to the next conquest."
"I hope I'm your last conquest," Randi said, and this earned her a deep kiss. It always amazed her how Martin made her feel. He could kiss her, and in a matter of seconds, she didn’t care about anything but being in his arms.
"You are my final conquest and there are going to be a lot of changes. I want a new home. I want something we can call ours. I want us to have the most perfect wedding and honeymoon, and then I want to find the most perfect script where I can officially hold you in my arms and kiss you. I want to prove to you and the world that a man who loves his wife will never touch another woman - when he can hold the one who holds his heart . . ."
"That's so sweet."
"Maybe so, but I can't wait to show you off and tell the world we're getting married."
Randi smiled. She wanted Martin to know that she truly cared about his career. She was partly serious and partly teasing when she replied, "Then after we get back home, we can start. You can talk to your manager and find out how he thinks we can best milk the engagement to boost your career.”
"What did you just say?"
Randi loved the shocked expression on Martin’s face and she went on with her playful but truthful explanation. "The more good exposure, the better roles you'll read for. If you're going to support me in the fashion to which I'm accustomed, you'll need to pull down some serious cash. I mean, two dogs, two kids, some horses, cows and all of those farm animals you want - you are going to need a s-t-e-a-d-y income."
"You were listening, weren’t you, but I’m pretty sure that I mentioned six kids."
"Six? It's been nice knowing you," she said, as if she were about to walk away.
Martin pulled her back into his arms, both of them laughing. "Four? I was just kidding."
"Let's see how two goes, and not right away. I need time to enjoy my new husband. He doesn't know it, but I can't wait for the honeymoon."
"I think I have an idea. I noticed that you have a bit of trouble keeping your hands inside the safe areas."
"You're one to talk, but you're right. And with a body like yours, who could blame a girl?"
"That's the way - talk dirty on my sweet mother’s kitchen table."
"I won't tell if you don't," Randi said, pulling him in for an electric kiss. She thought he might have a witty come back, but he didn't. His mind was on the kiss, and from the way he held her close and pulled her body to his, she knew that things had changed.
There would still be barriers and places his hands couldn't go until their wedding night, but there was also a new connection. This bond they were creating for their new life together would be centered around loving each other and taking care of each other in the most intimate ways.
Randi felt Martin's breath on her skin and heard the desire in his voice as he called her name, and she welcomed these new emotions. She knew down deep that tonight her life had changed forever. She knew the road might be rocky but she didn’t care. For now, and as long as God would allow her heart to beat, her arms and heart would be open to the man of her dreams and her now future husband, the one and the only Martin Taylor.