MAN OF SORROWS
CHAPTER 34
Rafe stood quietly and watched as Erik and Christine made a hasty, but elegant, exit. He looked over at Meg and saw tears glistening in her baby blue eyes.
His hand found her in that tender moment and he knew that it wouldn't be easy living the life that Met led, but she was worth it.
He'd never ask her to give up her dream; he was going to take Erik's advice and help her make her dreams come true.
She was tired and he could see that. Her shoulders were not as strong as she seemed to think they were and Rafe wanted to help her carry whatever burden it was that she wielded.
"Meg, let's get out of here, you look spent."
She tried to smile through the yawn that suddenly overtook her.
"I am…when Erik asked me to help get this little proposal set up I didn't know it would take such effort."
Rafe smiled gently and entwined his fingers around hers. He led her out the door behind Erik and Christine; pulling her toward the car.
"Rafe, it went really well…don't you think?"
"It did…I think Christine was truly surprised."
Meg's tired smile reached out to him and he opened the door for her to get into his car. The night was cool and breezy, but the sky was clear; the stars sparkled bright and beautiful, so he put back the sunroof, allowing a view of the beauty that was the night.
She dozed in the seat next to him and her quiet breathing made him smile. The drive was quiet and gave Rafe a chance to reflect on the way his life was headed.
He loved Meg; there was no doubt about it. All of his education, all of his high-society breeding, all of his family pride – none of it mattered - all that mattered was Meg.
The apartment building loomed before him like a dark, medieval castle. Meg was still dozing in the seat next to him.
He parked the car in the back lot and then carried Meg to the front door with her wrapping her arms around his strong neck and murmuring into this chest.
"I love you, Meg Goldwyn…do you know that?"
She smiled, acknowledging his admission.
"I suspect you do." She smiled.
He put her to her feet so that she could find her keys. Her tiny purse couldn't hold much more than a set of keys, her tube of lipstick, a compact, and her coin purse; and yet, she fumbled around for her keys.
Finally, she was able to get her hands on them and hand them to Rafe. He opened the door and followed her in.
She felt the life returning to her body and flicked on the lights. The apartment was spacey and warm, and Rafe felt quite at home.
"How do you feel about marriage and kids?"
Rafe asked what had been on his mind for a very long time. The look on her face was one of deep thought; and he thought she wasn't going to answer.
"I want those things Rafe…I'm just not sure that I have what it takes to give everything that is needed to make it work."
Rafe glided over to her, never taking his eyes from hers.
"Baby, listen to me, none of us knows if we have what it takes…all I know is that I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you smile and watching you become everything that you desire and have strived to become."
Meg's chin trembled and tears spilled down her cheek. She ran into his arms and allowed him to spin her in the air.
"Rafe, you always know the right things to say…."
She hugged him again, harder.
"It's a gift…"
He took her mouth, savoring each touch and memorizing each scent. The kiss was slow and sensual, making Meg burn for more.
They had both been with others, numerous times, but what they had together transcended anything else, or anyone else.
They had never slept together, as Meg was not comfortable with the idea of it; she had started dating Rafe out of desperation, but had never intended to love him.
Things had changed…but intimacy came hard for her. Her father's abuse and molestations remained in her mind and made if difficult to trust a man – ever.
She led him over to the couch and they sat down. He put his arm around her shoulder and she cuddled close.
"Rafe…my daddy…."
He stopped her with a finger to her lips.
"I know, baby, I know….I am willing to wait until your ready – but that doesn't mean that I don't want to marry you right now."
Meg could not have been more surprised.
"You mean you'd marry me knowing that I may not be able to be intimate…at least not in every sense of the word right now?"
Rafe kissed her deeply and with all the promise he had in his heart.
"Yes…I would." He smiled impishly and ran his thumb along the surface of her bottom lip. "Is that a proposal?"
Meg giggled and cuddled against the warmth he provided her.
"You're parents do love me…don't they?"
Rafe shook his head in agreement and smiled.
"Yes, they do…and they know that I want to marry you."
She looked at him with quizzical eyes.
"And you're willing to give me the time I need to be everything you need me to be?"
"You're everything that I need, already…but I'll have you wanting more before long…I have faith in my masculine wiles."
"Do you now."
Meg's teasing tone had Rafe laughing.
"Yes, I do."
She put a hand to his cheek and looked deep into his hazel eyes…all she saw was undying love.
"I accept."
Rafe reared back and planted the same quizzical look on her.
"I think it is I who should accept – after all, it was you who proposed to me."
Meg laughed and shook her head.
"Of course…what's your answer, love slave?"
Rafe smirked and shook his head.
"Let's see…" he put his finger to his lip, supposedly lost in deep thought. "…do I get to travel the world with you and become your advertising agent?"
Meg smiled and caressed his cheek once more.
"You're my everything, Rafe…and I think you'd make a great ad agent – or, how about being my agent in all things…"
"What about Sam?"
"He wants to retire…he just had his first grandchild and he wants to be there to see her grow up."
"Marry me, Meg…and I'll be with you every step of the way…as your agent and as your husband."
She grinned and then giggled.
"That sounded like a proposal to me."
They spent the rest of the hour trying to determine who asked whom to marry the other; finally, they both just agreed to get married.
TBC