Marked

It was a reality check in the best of ways, that was for sure.

A year had passed since Tommy and I met in Toronto, since we started our crazy-fast and passionate relationship, and here we were, having bought a house together that was located in-between both our jobs. We’d found this cute little three-bedroom, two-story house half-way between each of our jobs.

And in that year, he opened another branch of his construction company, which doubled his business, getting contracts for a couple local companies, even talking about expanding the house we just bought to add a couple more rooms, a sunroom, a bigger deck, and a greenhouse for me. He was definitely a manly man, masculine and hands-on, always wanting to keep busy. And hell, he definitely kept me busy in the best possible way.

I felt butterflies in my belly when I spotted Tommy carrying a large box. He stepped through the front door threshold, and like he did whenever we were together, he searched me out instantly. When his gaze landed on me, he gave me a breathtaking grin and a wink, and he proceeded to walk down the hallway to take the box to the bedroom.

The truth was, I would have moved in with him not long after we’d gotten together. That’s how sure I felt about our relationship. But the intensity in which I cared for him did scare me a little, so we had taken our time. Months had passed before we found this house, and although Tommy talked about us building a home, I honestly hadn’t wanted to wait.

We’d waited long enough to be together, and I looked forward to marking this house a home with him.

When the movers left and we were alone once more, Tommy had me in his arms right away as if he couldn’t help himself. He lifted me effortlessly and placed my ass on the kitchen table. He had his face buried in the crook of my neck, inhaled deeply, and the groan he made had me closing my eyes and moaning in pleasure.

“Is this my life?” His voice was muffled, but I knew he wasn’t asking the question to himself.

“I really hope so,” I whispered and rested my head on his shoulder. “I feel like I’ve been waiting for this my whole life.

He pulled back and cupped my cheeks. “I’ve been waiting for you my whole life.” The seriousness in his face stole my breath. “I want you to be my wife, want you to be the mother of my children.”

My pulse raced at hearing his words.

“Would you want that, Izzy? Would you truly want to be mine in all ways?”

I didn’t even have to think about it. “Yes. Always.”

And no truer words had ever been spoken.