“I love you,” she said softly, and he reached his hand on the back of her head, pulling her toward his chest. She relaxed against him, and he rested his chin on the crown of her head.
“I love you, too, baby.”
She wrapped her hands around his waist and sighed one of those contented ones that made a man feel like he was doing all the right things.
“You are doing all the right things,” she whispered, and he realized he’d spoken out loud. He couldn’t help it. Reese dipped down and took her mouth with his.
Reese knew this woman was it for him, absolutely-fucking-it. She was his world, his everything, and he knew that with the time passing his love for her would only increase. It was one hell of a feeling to have.
EPILOGUE ONE
Two years later
It had really happened. Lake had graduated with her bachelor’s degree in business management, and she’d never felt prouder of herself than she did now. She’d worked hard to get here in her life, busted her ass in her studies, and was trying to do the best she possibly could.
It had all paid off.
She pulled into the driveway of her apartment complex, cut the engine, and smiled. She’d just left the ceremony to come home and rest a bit before she was going back to Ginny and her dad’s house for a big party.
She couldn’t wait to start this chapter in her life, and when she saw Reese’s car in the parking lot she couldn’t wait to start the next chapter with him as well.
Once she grabbed her things and got out of the car, she headed up the steps to her place. When she pushed the door open, she immediately stopped. Reese stood a few feet from her, candles lit on the table, and an expression on his face that had her heart stopping.
“Hey, baby,” he said in his deep voice that had her toes curling.
She shut the door, set her bag down, and smiled a little tentatively. She’d seen him just a couple of hours ago, but when she started talking with some of her friends he’d disappeared. She looked around.
“Hi.” She smiled. “What’s going on?” Lake was worried, but she didn’t feel that something bad was going to happen, and not just because he’d lit candles.
“Come here, Lake.” He held his hand out to her.
She moved closer, slipped her hand in his, and stared at him. He didn’t say anything for a few moments, but then he exhaled and closed his eyes for a second. When he opened them again, she felt her heart jump in her throat.
“I want to be here with you, to work this relationship out and experience it all with you, Lake.” He stared in her eyes, lifted his hand and cupped her cheek.
She felt this zing of electricity go through her when their flesh touched. She always felt that intensity when he was near. “I’m glad, because I want that, too.” She smiled, having a feeling of what was going on but holding her breath regardless.
“I want to be able to give you the world, to give you whatever you want.” He dropped to one knee, and her heart stopped. When he reached in his pocket and pulled out a small black box, she knew that her life would forever be changed from this moment on.
“Reese...” She didn’t know what to say.
He opened the lid, showing her a solitaire diamond. “This ring means I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He took the ring out of the box. “I don’t want to rush this with you, even though it’s been two years, Lake.” Reese slipped the ring on her finger. “Lake Heart, my beautiful, beautiful Lake,” he said and stopped for a breath. “I am asking for your hand in marriage, asking for you to be my wife, my lifelong partner.” He smiled up at her. “I’m asking you to be the mother of my children, to go through the good and bad times with me, and to be in my life until we are old and gray.”
She covered her hand with her mouth, looked down at him, and felt tears in her eyes. Her vision became blurry, and she shook her head, not refusing this proposal, just not knowing what to say at the moment.
Maybe he took her silence as she was saying no, because he started speaking again. “I don’t want to rush you. I never want to rush this. If you don’t want to give me an answer right away, I understand, and will be here regardless.”
Her heart picked up speed.
“Baby, I want you to be able to experience life, start your career.” He smoothed his fingers over the back of her hand. “When you’re ready, I want to make you my bride.”