The Auction
Chapter 39

Tatina POV

I look down at my sweet Draco kneeling before me. He has no idea howbadly I want to say yes, but I am afraid. The only thing I know to do isbe honest with him

I place my hand on top of his.

“Draco, I want to be perfectly honest with you. I feel that we havealways been honest with each other and there is no reason to stop thatnow,” I say to him.

“That is all I want. I want an answer for a change. No matter what yousay I will respect that,” Draco says.

“There is no doubt in my mind that we love each other. Is thatenough?” I ask him.

“Of course, it is enough. I will love you until the end of time,” Dracosays.

“What is it that you want from me?” I ask him.

“I want you to be my wife. I want you to be my partner in life. I want usto be together forever,” Draco says.

“I am your partner and we will always be together. I just don't want tofeel owned by someone ever again,” I say.

Draco stands from his kneeling position in front of me. He takes hisseat back at the table. I know I have upset him.

“Have I ever made you feel owned by me?” Draco asks.

“No, you have not,” I answer him.

“Then why in the hell would you say something so horrible to me? Whyin the hell would think that low of me, Tatina?" Draco asks.

He is right. At no point in our relationship has he ever made me feelowned by him. Why am I so afraid to let him marry me?

“Tatina, this is breaking me down. I love you. I give you every freedomyou could possible want. I am only asking you to be my wife, mypartner. I want us to have a bond forever,” Draco says.

“Okay,” I say.

“Okay, what do you mean okay?" Draco asks.

“I mean then yes, I will marry you,” I say.

“Really, you mean it?" Draco asks.

“I do mean it, but maybe we should get married quickly before I changemy mind,” I say.

“We could drive to Las Vegas and get married tonight,” Draco says.“You seriously want to drive to Las Vegas to get married right now?” Iask him

“Why not?” Draco asks me.

“Well, there are some places closer if we are willing to let a vampiremarry us,” I suggest to Draco.

“That is true. I will leave it up to you. We will do whatever you want todo. I am happy you finally said yes,” Draco says.

“Wait, I did not say yes. I said okay,” I say to him.

“Wait, I have something for you,” Draco says.

He leaves to table and runs up the stairs. What on earth is this mandoing? He is up the stairs and back down in a flash. He gets back downon his knee and presents me with a small ring box.

“Tatina Maria, Will you be my partner in life forever?” Draco asks meagain while opening the small box for me to see what is inside.

“Yes,” I say.

He takes the princess cut diamond out of the box and slips it onto myring finger.

“If you are serious about doing this tonight, I am more than ready,”Draco says.

“Let's do it," I say.

“Okay, Las Vegas or New Orleans?” Draco asks.

“I never want to go back to New Orleans,” I say to him.

“I know there is a priest right outside of the city that could marry ustonight and it is a short drive. I promise not to take you into the city forany reason,” Draco says.

“Call the priest, if he can do it tonight I am willing to go, if not we candrive to Las Vegas. It would be a nice road trip and we could stop in ahotel along the way,” I say to him.

I really do not want to go anywhere near New Orleans. A long drive toLas Vegas would be wonderful, but I know Draco wants to do this rightaway. He is terrified if given too much time I will change my mind. Tobe honest I might. My love for him or his love my me is not the issue. Iknow it is my fear of ever being captive again.

I do not know what I had planned for tonight. I wanted it to be special. Iwanted him to feel love and then maybe I was going to let him downeasy. Instead I agreed to be his life partner. In reality I already am inpartner. He has taken care of me for so long, maybe I should give himthis special moment. I will grow into the idea of being his wife.

Draco comes back with a long face. “Father Malone is unable to marryus tonight but there is another priest willing to do it,” Draco says.“Well that is fine. There other priest will be okay,” I say to him.

“Yeah, about that, the other priest is in the city,” Draco says.

"Oh, I see,” I say.

“We don't have to do it, but I have to let him know now,” Draco says.“As long as you are with me I will be okay,” I say.

“I am going to call him now. I will offer to pay him to meet us outsideof the city,” Draco says.

“That is fine. I don't want to go back there ever,” I say to him.

“I know. I will see what kind of arrangements I can make,” Draco says.“I can book us a hotel in Westwego. See if he can come there,” I say.“You got it love,” Draco says.

Draco rushes off to make the arrangements with the new priest. If Ihave to go into the city I will, but I do not want to go if it can beavoided.