The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 224

The late afternoon sun shone warmly through Ethan's kitchen as Rayna stood by the counter, chopping fresh parsley for the pasta sauce she was preparing.

The sound of the knife against the cutting board filled the room, accompanied by the soft bubbling of the tomato sauce simmering on the stove.

She hummed a happy tune to herself, swaying slightly to the tune as she worked, wholly absorbed in her task.

She had always known that she loved to cook, but cooking for Ethan gave her a sense of satisfaction that she had never known

existed.

She hoped she would be done with dinner before he returned from work at his family's company. He had quit his job, as he said, and resumed at his family's company two months ago.

Suddenly, a firm slap landed on her backside, making her yelp in surprise. She turned quickly, her cheeks flushed, only to see Ethan grinning mischievously.

"Ethan!" she scolded, though she couldn't help the laughter bubbling up from her chest. "Do you have to do that every chance you get?"

Ethan leaned casually against the counter, his arms crossed and his expression unapologetic. "Absolutely. You accused me of doing it when I didn't, so I've decided it's my life's mission to be a shameless pervert- for you, of course." Rayna rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "You should let go of the past."

"Not when that past has you in it. I'm letting go of anything with you in it," he said with a wink as he kissed her.

Rayna giggled, shaking her head as she turned back to her parsley.

"Why didn't I hear you come in?" Rayna asked with her back to him.

"Because I didn't want you to," Ethan said, inhaling the rich aroma of garlic and basil that filled the air and made his mouth water in anticipation. "What can I do?" He asked, looking around for any chore he could do. "You should go freshen up and relax..."

can do that together when we are done,"

and keep me company," she said, grateful that he wanted to

to the

worked in silence for a while, and when he was done clearing the sink, he settled on one of the stools by the island. He propped his chin on his hand, watching her with a curious glint in his eyes. "So, how was

tossing the parsley into the sauce and stirring it. "We had lunch

had a good time," Ethan said,

as she turned back to her sauce. A comfortable silence settled between them for a moment, broken only by the occasional sound of stirring

telling Ethan what had been on her mind all week. Her heart raced at

it be to say I'm ready now'? she thought, biting her lip. But this wasn't the right moment- shed wait until

asked, turning the focus to him. "You and Melvin managing to keep things civil

grinned, his eyes lighting

question. "It's going well, actually. Meland I have

been handling things pretty smoothly. We just finished

going to

onto his face. "Wait. I'm rambling. Sorry,

I

اخ

you this passionate about something. was worked you wouldn't enjoy it and was scared you might have

"Fitting in wasn't the issue," he said. "Shipbuilding is in my blood. It's stressful,

do," she said as she returned to

just so you know, even

in wouldn't regret quitting my job to be with you. I'd just keep trying my hand at everything until I find something else I

his words, and she sighed with contentment as he kissed her nape. Moments like this

finished preparing dinner, they both went in to freshen

that it was time to tell him what