There wasn’t a single thing about him I would change. Sometimes Derek was easier to talk to because he had normal social intelligence like everybody else, but I still didn’t wish Deacon had that himself. He was perfect the way he was. “So, you think your mother will like me?”
His hand slid over my stomach, his outstretched fingers spanning across my belly and part of my rib cage. “I don’t care what she thinks.”
“Really?” She was a very sweet person who clearly loved her son deeply. She was easy to talk to, very kind, but she was probably protective over her children the way all mothers were. After what happened with Valerie, Margo probably wanted someone good enough for Deacon. I was a servant to the rich, so I might not fit the bill.
“If I cared what she thought, I wouldn’t have married Valerie in the first place.”
“Well…in that case, you should have listened.”
He smiled slightly, taking my joke. “My mother is afraid I’ll die alone, so she’d be happy to see me with someone, anyone, at this point.”
“Why would she think that?” He was the kind of man who drove women crazy, the kind of man who could have anyone he wanted. He had good looks that would last into his sixties, a physique that would make him lean and strong until his final days. And he had a legacy that would live on long after he was gone, a brilliance that would still shine from the heavens.
“I told her I would never remarry.”
“Oh…” It was far too soon to think about those things, not when we’d just gotten together, but the idea of having an expiration date was painful…because I’d already fallen so hard.
“I told her that a while ago,” he whispered, like he could read my expression. “Before you.”
I tried not to look too relieved, but my expression probably betrayed me. My hand went to his chest. “So, it’s on the table? Someday?” I didn’t need wedding bells tomorrow. I didn’t need a family right away. I just need to know it was possible.
His hand moved to mine. “Yes.”
It had taken so long for us to get together that I had been afraid it would be another hurdle, that he was fine having a relationship, but marriage was off the table…because his last marriage was such a nightmare. My fears were assuaged, and now I felt relaxed again, like my life was really getting the happily ever after it deserved. I’d paid my dues, kissed a couple frogs, even married one…and now all that shit was over.
“You want to go on a hike tomorrow?”
The sexiest man in the world was beside me, half naked, his eyes on me. “I’d rather stay in bed all day, to be honest.” I didn’t mind taking the boat out to fish or taking a hike into the wilderness, especially when Derek was around. But now that this man was finally mine, there was only one thing I wanted to do.
He didn’t smile with his lips, but his eyes lightened noticeably. “I thought you might be sore.” He wasn’t a gynecologist, but a physician all the same, and he’d guessed correctly.
I was incredibly sore. I hadn’t been fucked like that…ever. “I don’t care.”
Nineteen
Deacon
My car dropped me off at the bar, and I walked inside, wearing a charcoal gray suit because I’d been in meetings all day. There were other men dressed similarly, but I always felt awkward wearing something sleek to a casual bar. Plus, it was just uncomfortable, especially in the summer heat.
“There he is.” Tucker was already there, and he raised his bottle in the air. “To the man who grew some balls.” He took a drink.
I sank into the chair, ordered my beer, and ignored what he said.
“So…” He leaned forward.
I took the beer from the waitress and brought it to my lips.
He waved his hand, like he was encouraging me to speak.
“You aren’t going to let this go, are you?”
“Nope.” He drank from his beer.
“Isn’t it weird since you dated her for a while?” I’d never really asked him. I’d just assumed it was okay since he encouraged me to be with Cleo.
He shrugged. “I’m not going to lie, I wanted to be the guy that ended up with her. But you guys make more sense than she and I ever did. Well, not exactly. Actually, I think she and I are practically the same person. But whatever the two of you have…she and I never could have had that.” He held his beer. “It’ll be a little weird for a while, but in time, we’ll forget about it. The important thing is, you guys are together.” He raised his beer to clink it against mine. “And that makes me really happy.”
I tapped my glass to his. “Thanks, Tucker.” I’d told him he could date Cleo, but it had bothered me the entire time. Now it was his turn to say it was okay…even if it bothered him. He could easily get angry with me for lying in the first place, or at least not realizing my feelings, but he didn’t. He’d invested a month in her…and that was my fault. “You’re being really understanding of the whole thing.”