Until I'm Yours (The Bennetts, #4)

by Kennedy Ryan

“The seed, everything you see on the outside, is a hard coat. A protective shell.” I trail my finger over her hand holding the jewelry box. “The plant is under the shell and has to be awakened, and all of what we see on the outside has to fall away.” She nods, her eyes locked with mine. Her expression intent, absorbed. “Over the last few weeks, I’ve gotten to see you in this process.” I grab the hand resting in her lap, twisting my fingers around hers so she can’t ever let go. “You’ve discarded the trappings, the outside, and have awakened the part of you that is really alive. Germination is a kind of death, and it’s painful.” I pull her close enough to kiss her lips, but I don’t allow myself that just yet. “You’ve experienced that pain, and you’ve had a lot of rain fall in your life. And now we see what has come after the rain.” I trace one high cheekbone with my thumb. “I want you to know it’s beautiful to me. Your passion, your courage and strength, all while being absolutely, unequivocally yourself. Flaws and all.” I pause, staring at our clasped hands for a moment. “I don’t know that we would have seen all of that without the pain. Without the rain.”

“Will you marry me?” All the air swooshes from her chest, through her mouth. Her eyes widen and her mouth falls open and then snaps closed. “Bishop, I—” “Say yes.” I lean forward, caressing the skin behind her neck. “I don’t want to wait for the smoke to clear or for everything to make sense. I have to know today that you’ll be mine forever, Sof.”