Can't Touch This (Can't Touch This #1)

I took a deep breath. I wasn’t just asking her to be my flatmate, best friend, lover, and wife. I was asking her to be my partner in doggy protection and allow me to help her donations while protecting her from any more financial disabilities.

My parents gave me this wealth for this exact purpose.

I had no doubt I was meant to share it with her.

I just wished they’d been alive to watch me propose to this one in a million girl.

Vesper reached to rap her knuckles on the brand-new smoky glass front door. However, I wrenched it open before she could.

Reclining against the doorframe, fighting nerves, I did my best to ooze confident charm. “Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.”

“Actually, the kidnapping of a cat dragged me in.” She peered over my shoulder. “I got a note from the thief saying they’re here.” Her lips twitched. “If you don’t unhand them immediately, sir, I’ll be forced to go to the authorities.”

I swung open the door, bowing for her to enter. “Oh, no threats needed, Ms. Fairfax. Please, come in and claim everything that I stole.”

She rolled her eyes at my dramatics and pushed past me. Her gaze followed the curved staircases now carpeted with a rich silver rug, to the glittering chandelier, to the Kookaburra Kool white walls. “No cat or Chinese Crested in here.”

I shrugged. “Wherever could they be?”

She swatted my shoulder, brushing past to head into the lounge.

Swallowing my grin, I followed her.

When she entered the large octagonal space with huge bay windows and cosiness, she gasped; her hands flew to her mouth. “Oh my God, Ry. This place is stunning.”

I’d deliberately left this room until last, knowing when I was ready, I’d hijack her furniture and blend it with mine. This was the room where we’d do most of our living.

It made sense to make it ours from the start.

Her pieces sporadically blended with mine, looking slightly hotchpotch but like they’d always belonged.

After all, her sweat and occasionally blood from renovating, were on these walls, same as me.

“You even installed my lemon daisy curtains.”

I grinned. “Hey, those curtains have good memories. I couldn’t leave them behind.”

They looked ridiculous hanging too short over the doors leading to the side deck, but hey. Fashion could take a flying leap because I fucking loved them.

Visa careened from the kitchen, racing toward her owner.

“Ah, there you are, titty tat.” Vesper scooped her up, only to be accosted by Barb as she skidded on the marble tiles where she’d been chowing on fresh chicken as a treat. “And you too, little Barberella. You decided to leave me for this luxury, huh?” She kissed both before setting them on the ground. “Not that I can blame you. Ryder has outdone himself.”

Hippo trotted forward, shuffling in her signature piggy waddle, pushing both cat and dog out of the way for cuddles. “And you! Can’t forget about Miss Pigglesworth.” Vesper kissed Hippo’s pink head.

I stiffened as her fingers found the ribbon around the piggy’s neck.

Vesper’s back tensed as she followed the soft pink decoration. “Oh!” She swivelled in place, looking at me over her shoulder. “Ryder?”

I ducked beside her, untying the ribbon and holding up the diamond ring. “You didn’t think I’d just kidnap your furniture and pets and not steal you too, right?” The gold and glittering stones caught the light, bouncing rainbows onto the white carpet at our feet. “I love you, Vesper. I’ve loved you all my life even if you’ve only been in it these past wonderful months. I don’t need time to know this is right. I don’t need validation from friends or family. And I don’t need society to deem it’s acceptable to propose.”

“That’s what you’re doing? Proposing?”

“Shush.” I placed my finger over her lips. “Let me finish.”

Her eyes glossed with tears as I took her hand and ever so slowly slipped the engagement ring onto her finger. “Vesper Fairfax, you were my vet to start with, a patient the next, and then my soulmate. You are everything I could’ve ever asked for. Everything I never hoped to dream for. I’m not going to ask you to marry me because if you said no, I would just make you do it anyway. Your furniture and life are here now. Your pets are here. You’re here.” I looped my hand behind her head, pulling her forward until our lips met. “And that means you’re never leaving.”

She smiled beneath our kiss. “And I have no say in this?”