She smiled dreamily. “I like how you say that.”
“Wanna hear it again?” He kissed her nose.
“Yes, please,” she said primly.
Chuckling, he dipped his head, his mouth perfectly aligned with hers. “I love you, Willow,” he murmured just before he kissed her. “You’re all mine.”
And for once in her life, she didn’t argue.
Epilogue
“She is the sweetest thing I ever did see, though she has a bit of a mouth on her,” Nick’s mother said, her gaze locked on Willow as she went into his living room and settled on the couch beside his dad.
Nick laughed, shaking his head as he leaned over and pressed a kiss on his mom’s cheek. “She’s just like you, Mama. Likes to argue and tussle and cause a big scene.”
“I can tell. You like her. She’s perfect for you.”
“I’m in love with her,” Nick said solemnly. “I think I’ve been in love with her since I was twenty-one.”
“Took you long enough.” His mom jabbed him in the ribs, causing them both to laugh, and he rubbed the top of her head, ruffling her perfectly curled hair and making her squeal.
It was the night after Christmas, and he had the most important people in his life surrounding him. Jared and Sheridan had just left a while ago after coming over for dinner. His sister and her family had also just left for the hotel Nick had put them up in. Willow was engrossed in a serious conversation with his dad, and he had his other favorite lady sitting right next to him, smiling widely while she stared at Willow as if his mama couldn’t keep her eyes off her.
“I think she’s going to fit in real well,” his mom finally declared with a finality that spoke of no arguments. “You picked a fine woman to be with you, Nick. I can tell.”
Relief flooded him. Thank God his parents liked Willow. Bad enough he had to deal with Walter Cavanaugh.
Which he could handle. He wasn’t scared. It was just a pain in the ass, knowing the woman he wanted to marry had a father who really didn’t like him.
“Well, we best get to bed, considering you’re going to have to haul us to the airport bright and early tomorrow morning.” His mom patted his knee affectionately. “Good night, dear.”
They all bade one another good night and went to their respective rooms, Nick turning out all the lights as they headed down the hall, his gaze locked on Willow’s perfect ass as she walked ahead of him.
He should be shot. Here she was, hugging his parents in front of their bedroom door, wishing them good night, and all he could think about was jumping her naked bones the minute he got her behind closed doors.
Which he did. For long, inventive hours he took his time with Willow, making her sweat and writhe and moan and gasp. Those soft little gasps were some of the best noises in the world. And the way she clutched at his shoulders while he buried himself deep inside her…
Yeah. He couldn’t get enough of that either.
“If we keep up this sort of pace, I’m going to be dead by the time I’m thirty,” Willow panted those many hours later as she lay on her back beside Nick.
He grabbed her hand, interlacing their fingers and giving her a squeeze. “What a way to go, though, right?”
She laughed, the sound quiet. He straight wore her out, didn’t he? “I like your parents.”
“I know.” She’d said it often enough since she’d first met them, which pleased him to no end. “They like you too.”
“Do they really?”
She seemed to really sweat that. He ought to ease her worried mind and make this official and all. Finally. “Of course they do. They adore you. My mama thinks you’re just like her at her age.”
“I’m hoping that’s a compliment,” Willow said wryly.
“The best sort of one.” Releasing her hand, he reached over and opened the bedside table drawer, pulling out a small box. He handed it over to her, dropping the black velvet box into Willow’s open hand and giving
her a nod. “Open it.”
“W-what is this?” Her voice trembled, her hand was shaky as she slowly opened the box. “Oh God.”