Paper Rings

I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings, darlin', you're the one I want.

"You're crazy!" Jennifer's mind was spinning, hardly aware of really what was happening. It had been a harrowing few days, trying to sneak around for a story and then discovering the murder of a friend and getting kidnapped, all thanks to Jonathan Hart.

"About you," Jonathan answered, stepping in close to her.

"After all the trouble we've been through, you want to marry me?" She could hardly believe it. She didn't know what to think, what to feel, what to do. And it was even harder to think when he was standing so close to her. She'd been so mad at him just a minute ago. Hadn't she?

A little mischievous smile played on Jonathan's lips. "Well, I'm sure we won't get into trouble on a weekly basis," he ventured.

"But…" Jennifer was trying to find an answer. "You live in Los Angeles and I have an apartment in New York."

"I don't want your apartment. I want you."

That little smirk almost made her knees go weak. "All my clothes are in New York," she answered stupidly, staring at his beautiful, gorgeous face.

Jonathan had an answer for everything. "They have nice clothes in Los Angeles."

"What am I gonna tell my father?" she asked as a last resort.

"Tell him someone loves you and you're getting married."

And then he kissed her. Oh, Jonathan Hart! Oh, the way he kissed her! He had intrigued her from the start, being so away from the limelight despite his incredible wealth and business acumen. Tabloids had followed him around the world for years with his romantic and business exploits, but he himself had no social media presence of any kind. He'd been elusive, and that in and of itself had sparked her interest. But then she'd actually met him. And talked to him. And gotten a little drunk with him. And danced with him. And gotten a little more drunk with him. And almost-but-not-quite kissed him. Even that much was enough to sweep her off her feet. And Jennifer Edwards was not the type to be swept anywhere.

She was in love with him. After two days and one date, she was in love with him. He made her laugh, and he made her feel safe, and he made her so excited about everything. And the way he touched her, good god!

And here he was asking her to marry him. It was crazy. It was absolutely crazy and impossible. But it was also perfect. And everything she'd never even dared to dream of. Did she dare now?

It was that kiss that decided it. Any and every doubt was erased with that kiss. Jennifer Edwards was madly in love with Jonathan Hart and she was going to marry him.

When Jonathan pulled back, Jennifer just smiled and nodded.

"Really?" he asked in disbelief.

"Why, were you bluffing?" she countered.

"No, I'm just…" He couldn't seem to find the words, so he just kissed her again, though they both started laughing with giddy joy. Jennifer had made the right choice. She was going to be giddy with joy and laughing and kissing this man for the rest of her life.

Jonathan grabbed her hand and they ran to a beautiful horse-drawn carriage driven by Max.

They got settled and Max set off to the park and Jennifer just threw her arms around Jonathan. "I love you," she murmured. She hadn't told him yet. He already said as much in slightly different wording.

"I love you," he answered, just in case she hadn't been certain. He pulled back to look at her and said, "I want you to know, I promise right here and now to give you everything in the whole world."

"Everything? That seems impractical," she quipped.

He chuckled. "I mean everything you could ever want or need. I want to live a life of joy and adventure together. I have been very fortunate to have the means to make all our dreams come true. And that's what I want to do."

Well, that certainly sounded pretty wonderful to Jennifer. But she hadn't fallen in love with him because he was worth millions. She felt rather certain she would have fallen in love with him if he was a pauper. All the flowers and champagne and horse-drawn carriages were certainly a great benefit, and Jennifer enjoyed them a great deal. But she loved him even without all that. She said, "You just love me and we'll figure out all the rest as we go."

"Deal," he agreed, leaning in to kiss her softly.

Jennifer put her arms around him and deepened the kiss.