Her cheeks turned pink like she was embarrassed.
“You don’t have to be embarrassed about fucking the boss.”
“I got pregnant by my boss. I’m a cliché.”
I kissed her forehead. “That’s the woman I love, you’re talking about. If anyone is a cliché it’s me. But I don’t give a fuck. I’m too damn happy to care what any of them think. Fortunately, they’ll be thrilled. They tolerate me, but they love you.”
She rested her head on my chest. “I hope you’re right.”
“I know I am. This baby is going to be the most loved child in the world. My brothers are going to vie for the role as best uncle. My dad is over the moon about being a grandfather. I might even call Christian and give him the news.”
“I love you, Ryan.”
My heart swelled in my chest. Could she tell?
I held her closer to me, soaking in her love. My dad was right. Gran was right. I couldn’t let my fears get in the way of happily ever after with Kellie. And now that I’d said yes to love, and opened my heart to Kellie, I finally felt whole and full.
“I’ll always love you. Always.”
34
Kellie
There were several times over the last weeks with Ryan when I thought I was living the best moment of my life. The first time he kissed me. The first time he touched me. The first time he asked me to marry him. The first time he told me he loved me. The second time he asked me to marry him. But waking up in his arms with him kissing me and telling me he loved me; that had to be the best moment of my life…so far. With Ryan, I was sure everyday would be filled with best moments.
When I first woke the next morning, I had a moment to worry I’d been dreaming, but then I looked into his blue eyes, bright and happy and knew this was real.
“I want to show you something,” he said.
I waggled my brows. “I’ve seen it.” I lifted the sheets but was disappointed to find that he had lounge pants on.
He laughed. “I’ll show you that later. As much as you want. But first, I want to show you something else. Come on.”
I got out of bed and into a robe that he had handy. It seemed like he had everything on this boat. Along with the captain and the other woman, there was also a cook. I only saw them when we needed them, and other than that, they were invisible. Money really could do some amazing things.
Ryan took me up to the bow of the boat. It was dark and a little bit cool out. But Ryan stood right behind me, and his body kept me warm.
“Look.” He pointed toward the dark shadow of land form. “Any minute now the sun is going to rise over San Diego.”
I sank back against him, finding this moment so incredibly romantic. Ryan wasn’t an automaton, but he had a reputation for being
a bit vanilla. I felt so honored to be getting to know the real him.
Slowly, the sky and then the land under it began to lighten.
“This is our first day of forever, Kellie. Do you believe it?”
As much as I thought the sunrise was beautiful, I couldn’t look at it. Not when the man I loved was saying such amazing things to me.
I turned and looped my arms around his neck. “I believe it.”
Fairy tales really did come true.
We spent the day on the boat…no yacht, as Ryan corrected me. Mostly we were in bed. The next day, we were up early again, and getting ready to return to shore. Once we reached the marina, Ryan walked me to my car.
“I hate to leave you. I’m afraid when I get home, I’ll wake up on my couch and this will have been a dream,” I said to him.
“Look at that ring, and you’ll know that I love you and want to marry you. Plus, I’ll be at your place around eight and we’ll drive to work together. Okay?”