“Did you know I’d never been on any dates?”
He laughed. “I was there for everything, Emily. I didn’t want anyone to break your heart. Especially knowing I could love you better than any of those guys. You weren’t ready.”
He watched as she licked her dry lips. “But what if I want to have my heart broken? What if I’m not sure you and I are supposed to be together?”
James looked away. He hadn’t expected that kind of question, and it was hard for him. He closed his eyes, gaining his strength and forced a smile to his lips.
“Emily, I … whatever you want … it’s yours.” He didn’t know if he’d ever be able to see it through. There would be a lot of violence to any man who thought he could take Emily away from him, but he had to try, for her sake.
She smiled. “You know, I didn’t think you had it in you. I don’t want any other man. I don’t even know why I would even suggest something so stupid.”
Within seconds, she was in his arms, holding him close.
“I love you, James. Every weird, stalking inch of you.”
Running his fingers through her hair, he stared into her eyes, and smiled. “You do realize this means you’re going to be my wife.”
“Are you asking me?”
“No, I’m telling you.” He kissed her again, hard. “Also, you could be pregnant. You know, with the excitement of having you all to myself, I didn’t exactly wear a condom.”
“You know, I think we’re going to need to work on your people skills. Especially if I’m going to be your wife.”
“There’s no if about it. You’re going to be.”
Pushing her to the bed, he slid between her thighs, kissing her hard, not wanting to let her go, ever, and he never would.
Epilogue
Ten years later
Emily still didn’t like crowds, but she wasn’t going to let James forget his fiftieth birthday. Placing her hand on her heavily pregnant stomach, she watched her husband of ten years as he was attacked by their four children.
From the moment she’d fallen for him, he’d gotten her pregnant, and after each child, it hadn’t been too long before she was pregnant again. Not that they ever tried to play it safe. Ten years wasn’t a long time, but their passion for one another hadn’t diminished at all.
She loved him more every second of every day.
At the shout for chocolate, their two sons and two daughters ran off to eat.
James didn’t allow anyone to stop him as he moved toward her. There was a huge cheer as he picked her up and spun her around. It didn’t matter to him how heavy she got; he was always able to lift her.
Tilting her head back, she smiled up at him. “Happy birthday, old man.”
“Hey, this old man still has a lot of moves up his sleeve, and I didn’t hear you complaining last night, or this morning, or an hour ago.”
“We have company.”
“I know, but none of them would dream of saying anything to you. Not with me here. Speaking of me being here. It’s my birthday. Nancy will watch the kids. You want to go and give me my birthday treat?”
“What makes you think I’ve got a birthday treat for you?”
“Because you love me and I happened to see the little white lace negligee you had wrapped up in the closet. I can’t wait to take it off you with my teeth.”
“I can’t keep any surprise from you, can I?”
“You forget who I am, baby. When it comes to you, I’m not willing to leave anything to chance.”
“No, you are and will always be my stalker.”
He gripped her ass and started to move her out of the main bar, toward his office.
“James, someone will see.”
“Yeah, well, I need you, and it is my birthday.” He kicked the door closed, pressed her against it. “I love feeling you all pregnant and full. You turn me on so much.”
“I hope you always feel this way.”
“Emily, you’re mine, and there is no way I ever won’t feel this. You’re the love of my life. You own my heart, my mind. Every single part of me belongs to you. Now, and for always.”
“You know just the right words to say to get laid.”
“Always.”
The End