I roll to my back, taking her with me, and pull her in close. She nuzzles into me and I consider just how lucky I am to have the most beautiful woman in the world lying beside me, spent with pleasure. We made that happen together.
“You’re mine now,” I growl, leaning in to kiss her feverish lips. She sighs against my lips with a smile.
“I’m yours.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Macy
I wake with an ache in my chest and joy in my heart. The past few days have been the biggest rollercoaster of my life. I’ve gained so much and lost so much. The thought of ending my friendship with Tanya and ever allowing those horrible men to hurt me even for a second hurts. Both made me feel utterly miserable…
But then I turn over and see Tate laying beside me, all of that melts away. Yesterday morning when I woke up and Tate wasn’t here, I felt so truly sad that I thought I might never be okay again. But now, with him here, beside me, that’s changed entirely. Sure there might be some days when I may feel some insecurities but after what we did last night, and his words, I’m certain that he will be there for me, forever.
He stirs next to me, reaching out and pulling me into his chest. I smile as I rest my ear against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. Things have moved pretty fast for us. Anyone else might think we’re crazy. But I know I’ve never experienced such highs and such devastating lows. All because I’m falling deeply for this man.
I can see a future with him, raising a family together in a small house on the outskirts of the city. I can see him shaking hands with my father and being welcomed by my mother. I can imagine a beautiful white wedding with him, things I never thought I’d have in my life. He’s shown me that I’m not unlovable, that I deserve a happily ever after like all the other women in the world.
And now, I finally have a chance at that.
Tate finally wakes properly beside me, kissing the top of my head affectionately.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he says in my ear, in a rough sleep-filled voice.
I blush. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being called beautiful by him.
“Good morning. Did you sleep okay?”
“Sleeping next to you made it the best night’s sleep of my life,” he says, kissing my lips. I moan a little, taken off guard by his kiss.
How can I ever go back to the way my life was before him when he’s showing me a million things I’ve been missing out on all these years. Things that only he can give me.
“You’re too sweet,” I whisper against his lips.
He shakes his head.
“It’s the truth. I’m a very lucky man,” he says. “And that’s why I’d do anything to keep you.”
“You don’t need to do any more than what you’re already doing. I’m yours entirely,” I say with a shy smile.
He looks pleased with my response.
He clears his throat. “I’m glad to hear that. But I was mulling over something last night…and I have something to ask you. Something important.”
My heart skips a beat. A declaration like that is pretty nerve-wracking. What could he possibly want to ask of me?
“Don’t look so worried, it's a good thing. I’m hoping it’ll make you happy, and not scare you away,” he says with a small smile. “I wanted to ask you how you would feel about moving in with me.”
I blink in complete shock. I was not expecting that.
I fumble for words. “I, uh…huh? What?”
Tate grins. “Look, I know it’s a big move. I know it’s quick. But I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t live together. I’ve got my own house on the outskirts of the city. I’m set with my business. It seems like a waste for you to be paying rent here when you could come and live with me…we would be around one another as much as we want. You could find another job closer to home or you don’t need to work at all. I’ll take care of you, baby. You don’t need to ever worry about anything while you’re under my roof. What do you think? Does that sound good to you at all?”
I’m lost for words. I never expected that I’d say yes to moving in with someone I’ve only known for a few days. Hell, I thought I’d want to know someone a long time before I agreed to share a home with them…
But this isn’t just anyone. This is Tate. My Tate. The one man in the world who has ever made me feel good about myself, who's seen me for more than my curves. Who actually likes my curves. He is the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. The man I’m fantasizing about a future with. So why would it scare me to move in with him? It would mean me getting to spend all day every day with him. I could quit my crappy job and make a new life with him. I could watch him in his workshop, help him with his work in any way I can…and then the rest of the time, we can focus on things that matter. Like building a family, loving one another, being happy…