“I’m yours,” I tell him, running my fingers through his hair. “This is our new reality, babe.” We hold each other for what feels like hours, when actually it’s mere minutes. “We really need to shower and start packing up my stuff.”
“Yeah.” He lifts his head to look at me. “You go first, and I’ll make us some breakfast.”
“You’re not joining me?”
“Baby.” He smiles. “You and I both know that if I don’t pull myself away from you and walk downstairs, we won’t be leaving this house today. Go shower, and I’ll cook. Then tonight, we’re doing this again,” he says, kissing my lips and slowly easing out of me.
I can feel him, us. It’s messy but so worth it. “You get this,” I say, ignoring the mess we made, “for the rest of your life.”
“No sweeter words have ever been spoken.” He climbs off the bed and pulls on a pair of shorts.
“Aren’t you going to, you know, clean up?” I ask.
“Nope. I want you, us, all over me while I make you breakfast. Go”—he nods toward the bathroom—“before I change my mind and we stay in this bed all day.”
“We could do that, you know,” I offer, because that sounds like a damn good idea.
“We could, but I want you here. All of you, all of your stuff. And being buried balls deep inside you all day, no matter how appealing the thought of staying now, it won’t get me that result.” With that, he turns and exits the bedroom.
Making a mental note to wash the sheets, I climb out of bed and head toward the shower. Today feels like the first day of the rest of our lives. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Reaching into the bed of my truck, I grab the last box Olivia just shoved my way. “This is it,” I tell her, even though she already knows.
“I can’t believe we got my entire house packed up and moved in two days.”
“Well, you’re donating most of your furniture,” I remind her.
“I know but still… you’re one determined man, David Harris.”
“You’re damn right,” I agree with her. She gave me the green light I’ve been waiting for.
“Let me get this in the house, and then we can go back and do one final walk-through. Make sure there’s nothing you missed or decide you want to keep.”
“Not a bad idea, although I’m pretty positive we got everything.”
“The Salvation Army is coming by tomorrow to pick up what’s left.”
“They are?”
“That’s what you wanted, right?” That’s what she said, but it’s a possibility she’s changed her mind.
“Yes, that’s what I wanted. I just didn’t realize that you called them already.”
“I did it this morning. After the progress we made yesterday, I knew we would be finished today.”
“Two days.” She laughs. “You are one determined man.”
Leaving the box on the open tailgate, I reach up and place my hands on her hips, lifting her from the back of the truck. Instead of letting me set her feet on the ground, she wraps her legs around my waist. “You, my love, were just as focused as I was.”
“Mmm-hmm,” she murmurs, kissing my neck.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her to marry me; it’s something I would have done a week ago. Now, everything is different. I know she’s ready, and no way am I willing to risk her thinking me saying the words is her true proposal. My girl deserves the fairy-tale proposal she’s always wanted.
What she doesn’t realize is that I know her better than she thinks I do. I’ve known for years that she wants the fairy tale. The romantic proposal and the country wedding. I think her fears stem from worrying that her dream proposal and wedding would not live up to her reality and she’d be disappointed. My girl loves her Disney movies. She thinks it’s because of the job at the bar, but I know better. She’s worried she’s not going to get her dream. I’m just a small-town boy. I work on the ranch with both Aaron and Evan. When they teamed up, they brought me on board. I work hard for what I have, and that includes Olivia. I’ll never stop showing her what she means to me and will make certain she gets her dream proposal and wedding. Besides, all I’ve ever dreamed of is her. She’s given me my dream; the least I can do is give her hers.
“You’re my dream,” I tell her.
Her eyes shimmer with tears. “I love you.” She buries her face in my neck, and I hold her tightly.