32. Stalker be damn

Brice's POV

"So you're in love, engaged with the woman from your fan group. Seriously Brice? after pulling strings, owing favors to bury the issue about your stalker, and keeping your personal life in peace, now you're going to dig it up again?"

Clara my lovely agent was extremely pissed that morning when I was at her office and informed her about Ella and the whole circus entail proceeding with me asking her to marry me.

"...and are you telling me this just now? in the middle of your career-changing, life-altering decision?"

She was talking about my indecisiveness towards the movie deal.

"Don't spite me like I'm a goddamn kid Clara, I love her and I'm not losing her for some damn stalker. Her brothers are helping me with finding the person at fault for Summer's death. I'm just telling you because I considered you as a friend, I thought you'd be happy." I was ready to leave her office, my anger boiling on the inside.

"Shit, Brice. I'm sorry, don't make me feel like I'm just milking you for your talent. But I'm worried, and this is what I do." She finally rest back in her seat and told me to do the same.

"Look, I really think her brothers might have a shot a this. They're freaking loaded and I'm sure they have connections, like real ones, the ones I couldn't reach to dive further and dig deeper."

"You really love her, don't you? I haven't seen you this passionate in like...forever, I know you care about Summer, but this...I don't know Brice. Look, I think you should lay low, keep your engagement news a secret until the stalker is caught."

"This is also why I came." I look at her intensely, knowing she'd go crazy in seconds once I told her.

"Brice..." her tone was full of worry, but it didn't make me relent.

"Yes, I've talked to her brothers we're going to announce our engagement and ruse the stalker out."

"The FUCK, Brice!" Clara got up and started pacing, her fingers were busy tapping on her iPad. I know she's googling for my latest gossip and sigh when she didn't find any.

"Look, I'm coming here, wanting you to spread it, think about it... it's publicity on your side, more book deals, and think about the movie deals."

"Goddamn it, Brice! this is too fucking dangerous, you're not just a client, we've been through a lot and I've seen you for the last couple of months. Don't think I didn't notice, I don't know how you're going to pull yourself if something..."

"Nothing's going to happen to her, I'll lock her up in my tower."

That finally made her laugh, and our conversation took a lighter tone.

"You really love her, like, batshit crazy in love with her, aren't you?"

"I do." I smile and she rests back again to the chair.

"Okay, it's your decision. Here's what we're going to do..." we talked for another hour until it's almost noon and I picked up lunch before going back to my place.

Ella was perched on my sofa, looking comfortable and deliciously sexy while looking at the television.

I love coming home to this sight for the rest of my life.

"Hey,"

"Brice, finally. I'm bored." She pouted adorably and get up from her seat.

Putting our lunch on the kitchen counter, I chuckled when she went to sit on the stool, peeking curiously at the takeaway.

"Bored? or hungry?"

Again, she pouted until I cup the back of her neck and lay a chaste kiss. But then deepen the kiss when she opens her lips and lets me in. Her hands were to my shirt and pull me lower eagerly.

"Hungry for you,"

"Wait, I got you something."

The ring.

"What? I have all I need right here," she whispered provocatively in my ear while her hands roam freely on my chest, her body pushed flat against mine the second she got up from the stool.

Her curve, her sweet little ass were firm against my palm. She's so fucking beautiful and I couldn't help myself when my hand trail higher and once again was to the nape of her neck keeping her still while I mold her lips perfectly with mine.

"It's on my pants pocket, no...baby, on the backside." I moaned to her sexy little touch, teasing as her fingers reached down my front pants pocket. Her kisses were chaste and sickeningly sweet until she gasped when she felt the velvety box.

"No..."

"Yes, baby, you said your yes already."

Ella took the little box, hold it like it's a ticking bomb. She looked adorably nervous that I finally help her with it.

"Come here, sit down baby," I ushered her to the sofa and kneel in front of her, two beautiful eyes look at me, they were glassy while she bit her lower lip and I could feel her hands tremble faintly in my own.

"I should've talked to your family first, being traditional and all...but I didn't want to miss my window and risk the chance of you changing your mind on us. We will have dinner with your brothers then visit your parents. But first, Ella, the beautiful love of my life will you marry me, will you be willing to grow old with me?"

Her tears fall and I let them, I didn't want to let go of our moment until she replied with a shaky yes and several nods. I kissed her swiftly before putting the diamond ring that I picked out on my way back from Clara's office.

"Brice it's beautiful, but I think it's too big." She laughed nervously, while her other hand was busy wiping her tears away.

"We'll get it resized, let's have a quick lunch then we'll get back to the store and have it done."

"It's okay, Brice we don't have to do it today." She cupped my face and pulled me closer for a deeper kiss, but then we heard a faint thud when her ring fall to my polished wood flooring.

"No, it's not," I kissed the tip of her nose and took the ring from the floor before putting it back in the box, "I want to see you wearing it every day, naked or clothed, but yeah...the ring is mandatory." I pulled her up for a kiss, my hands hold her back possessively and our kiss turned hot and dirty in seconds.

"Come, we eat, then go to the store."

"But, I thought it's best not to be seen together?" she was still reluctant but I was not letting it go. I want her to wear it as soon as possible, reassuring myself that she's going to be mine. Forever.

"Ella, it's just a quick visit to the store, and Grady had you followed anyway. Best scenario, someone did follow us and was seen by one of Grady's men, but I'm with you. I can protect you, you know. And the most important thing, the stalker will have a tail and caught sooner."

"If you put it that way..." she pushed her body towards mine and her hands trail to the nape of my neck, while mine falls to her sweet cheeky ass and nudged her forward to feel my hardness.

She laughed sexily and told me to take her to bed, "Stalker be damn, let's do this baby, have me... lunch, will have to wait,"

*****

It was dark when we finally left my apartment after a steamy sexy shower to clean the evidence of our very hot lovemaking.

Her cheeks blushed when I took her hand and we entered the very bright jewelry store. The sales lady recognized me from the afternoon visit and she greeted us right away.

Minutes passed by and I kept on smiling as the sales lady took the ring back and we wait. She mentioned that we're in luck since their jeweler had just finished off his last piece and he can do Ella's right away. Obviously, at a very steep rate, and for Ella, I really didn't mind.

I put my hand on her small back, couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching us. I kept on telling myself that it was one of Grady's men, though I couldn't stop thinking what if it wasn't.