Chapter 249: Change of Heart, Part 2

My breath hitched, and my eyes widened. He had an engagement ring? That must be what he was talking about, right? My heart was once again out of control, banging around erratically.

"You do?" I asked, my voice more of a squeak.

"Mm-hmm." He brushed his lips across my knuckles, then kissed the back of my hand. "I didn't go see your father just so I could get his permission to be with you. I went to see him to ask for his blessing to marry you."

"Then why didn't you ask me that?" I whispered.

"Because I saw the look on your face when I reached into my bag. You were terrified. I could smell your fear. Just like I can now." He smiled sadly. "I suspected marriage might be too much right now, so I bought the promise ring." He twisted the ring on my finger, his gaze trained on his movements. "But make no mistake, Chloe." He pinned me with an intense stare. "I don't want to wait to marry you and adopt a herd of kids."