Hard Working Hero (Hard Working Hero 1)

“Yeah, this won't take long now that you're here.”

Glancing around, I let my eyes drift back to his. “So, where are the clients?”

“They'll be here shortly, but I want you to tell me what you think first. What do you think of this room?”

“There's not much to it. It's all windows.”

“But what do you see?”

“Well,” I say, stepping out of his arms and walking the perimeter of the room, “I see a greenhouse with a spa vibe. Maybe lots of flowers and plants, add a hot tub in the back corner. Some pixie lights would give it a soft glow, and since it's surrounded by trees in the backyard, you don't need to worry about creating a privacy veil.”

“I like it.” Oliver takes my hand and pulls me to the kitchen. “What about the kitchen?”

“It depends. What are you thinking about for the cabinets?”

“I see dark cherry with a high gloss, a bright white granite counter with maybe some blue pops of color.”

“Can you move the stove to the center and add a big island?”

“Of course,” he says confidently.

Stepping into the center of the room, I wave my hand through the air. “Then I see a large iron rack above the island for pots and pans, and stainless steel textured backsplash for the wall.” I spin in a circle, and stare at the wall. “The paint color would depend on the color in the granite, but a blue would look nice.”

“And the living room?” he asks excitedly.

We walk into the living room. Oliver goes to the fireplace and runs his hand across the stone. “Beautiful, isn't it? Imagine having a fire in here on a chilly night, a glass of red wine in your hand, the flames crackling and popping. Can you see it?”

“I can,” I say.

“No, no, you need to close your eyes.”

“What? No, I get what you're saying.”

Oliver grins, coming back to me and taking my hands. “I'm serious. Close your eyes and just picture it.” He squeezes my hands and pouts. “Come on, just do it.”

“All right, fine.” I close my eyes, and Oliver keeps talking.

“Just imagine it. You and me laying by the fire, snuggled up in a blanket, a bottle of wine next to us. It's dark out, and everything is quiet except for the fire.”

“It sounds beautiful.”

“Open your eyes,” he says, his voice a whisper.

Blinking my eyes open, Oliver is down on one knee, his lips holding a soft smirk.

“Oh my God. What are you doing?”

“Narissa, I know it's only been six months, but I can't imagine a future without you.”

“Are you really doing this right now?” I ask, my eyes welling up with tears.

“Will you marry me?” he asks, pulling a small red box from his pocket and opening the lid.

The ring sparkles, twinkling like it's being hit with a ray of sunlight. Oliver pulls the ring from the velvet pillow holding it. He pinches the band as he holds my left hand, his eyes intently watching me and waiting for an answer.

“Yes, of course I'll marry you,” I blurt out as tears start streaming down my face. My hand is shaking as he slips the ring up my finger. It fits perfectly.

Oliver stands, scooping my face in his hands and kissing me. “I love you,” he says, kissing me between words. “I love you so much.”

“I can't believe you did this here in a new client’s house. But I guess it's fitting considering this is what brought us together.”

“I didn't,” he says as he holds my face and looks in my eyes. “I did this in our house.”

“What?” I ask.

Did I hear him right? Did he just say our house?

“This house, it's not someone else's, it's ours.” His eyes scan the entire room.

“You bought us a house?”

“Do you like it? I saw it and just thought of you. I want this to be our home, where we have our kids and grow old, and enjoy our life together.”

“Oliver this is crazy.” My voice wavers between excitement and disbelief. “You bought us a house. This is our house.” Tears are rolling down my cheeks, and I can't stop them. I'm so happy.

Oliver uses his thumbs to wipe them away. His lips find mine again, soft and delicate as he infuses so much love into the kiss. There's no denying how he feels. He loves me. He loves me like every girl dreams of being loved.

Slipping his tongue inside my mouth, our kiss becomes intense. I can't contain the feelings I have inside right now. I want him to feel how much I appreciate everything about him. His kindness. His tenderness. His desire to make me happy. He'll never know how much that means to me. There are no words I can give him that explain what I'm feeling. They just don't exist.

“I love you,” I say, whispering against his mouth. My tongue swirls around his as I inhale a ragged breath. “Thank you.” My hands rake through his hair as I press up on the tips of my toes and kiss him deeper.