Built For Her

“Maybe later,” I say, biting my lip.

“Fine,” Barrett says, and the room goes silent.

“Fine what?” I hedge, not wanting to get my hopes up.

“The ladies can go into the shop on their own tomorrow. But Neal and I will wait outside the entire time. And you’re not allowed to even think about leaving the shop or going anywhere we aren’t. Deal?” he says, and everyone looks to me.

“I think we can accept your terms,” I answer, trying to play it cool.

“Thank god,” Gabi says as she stands up and pulls on Neal’s arm. “Let’s go.”

“Hell, yes,” Neal whoops and they practically run out the door.

I put my hand over my mouth to smother a laugh, because I know exactly what’s about to go down.

“I think we better head home, too,” Lynn says as she and Steph grab their stuff. “We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait,” Steph says, coming over and giving me a big hug.

“I’m so excited. I’ll see you guys in the morning.”

Barrett walks them out to the car and I clean up the kitchen until he comes back inside. Once he closes the door, he sets the alarm and helps me put away the dishes.

“Hey, I want to show you something,” he says when we’re finished.

“I’ve seen the skylight, but I’d love for you to show it to me again,” I say, my body tightening with desire.

He smiles as he pulls me into his arms and leans down to kiss me. “All in good time, lady.”

He leads me up the stairs and down the hall to the room beside the master bedroom. We’ve been lovingly calling it the junk room since all our boxes of crap are being stored in here. We didn’t want to keep moving them around while we worked on the house, so we just put them in here.

“I’ve been keeping a secret from you,” he says, pulling a key out of his pocket.

“Does it have to do with how much stuff you’ve moved in and how many boxes are in that room?” I joke with him, but his face is serious. “Okay, tell me.”

“No. It has to do with us.” He turns the key and pushes open the door. He walks into the room and turns on a little lamp.

The room is bathed in soft light, and I gasp as I look around at the beautiful baby room. “Barrett, when did you do this?”

He holds his hand out to me and I go to him instantly.

“I’ve been working on it for a while. Mostly when you sleep, though. You are a super-heavy sleeper by the way.”

I poke his chest and he grabs my hand, bringing my wrist to his mouth so he can kiss it.

“There’s something else I’ve been keeping from you,” he says as he gets down on one knee. “My sisters brought my grandmother’s ring tonight. My mom wanted me to have it and to propose to you with it. After they talked to you the first time they knew you were the one just like I did. Lynn actually had to go break into their house to get it, but it’s the one we all wanted you to have.”

Happy tears stream down my face as he slides the delicate band on my ring finger. It’s a huge emerald cut diamond surrounded by yellow diamonds set in a gold band. It’s classic and timeless just like our love.

“I love you, Genevieve. I wanted to wait to tell you that, until I was asking you to be my wife. I know I slipped that day when I got off the phone.” He smiles and shrugs. “But I just can’t help it with you. I love you so much and I’ve wanted to tell you that every day since the moment we met, but I thought you might think I was nuts. But here I am only a few weeks later asking you to marry me in our baby room.”

“I love you, too, Barrett,” I say, wiping away the tears.

“I want you to be my wife, and I’m not really asking. But I’d like for it to appear that way,” he says as he slides on the ring and kisses my finger. “I won’t let you change your mind, and I won’t let you have more time. So, please just say yes and let’s cut to the chase.”

“Yes!” I shout as I throw myself into his arms.

Chapter 24

Barrett

I lunge for her as she falls into me, and I wrap my arms around her waist. I stand up and her legs automatically go around me as our mouths connect. I press her against the wall, my hands going to her ass and grinding her body against me.

“Fuck, I can’t wait to make you my wife,” I grunt, walking out of the nursery and to our master bedroom.