He let out a chuckle and said, “When Jessie and you went for a walk.”
I raised my eyebrow and said, “Sneaky.”
“I’ve had extensive training in the area of sneaky.”
He sat down across from me and a young lady walked over and poured us each a glass of champagne. She gave me a sweet smile and said, “Congratulations.”
I felt the heat move up my face as I quickly looked over at Lark and back at her. “Thank you so much.”
“Did he surprise you?”
I grinned and said, “Yes. Very much so.”
She took a step back and said, “Your salads will be out momentarily followed by dinner. My name is Linda, so if you need anything just be sure to ask.”
When she turned and walked away I looked back at Lark. “You couldn’t have picked a more romantic way to do this.”
He grinned from ear to ear and said, “Well, I kind of borrowed Scott’s idea when he asked Jessie. I just knew I wanted to ask you in the same spot I first saw you. The same spot I knew my life would never be the same again.”
“Lark…I love you so much.”
Lark reached for my hand and said, “I love you too, Azurdee. I never thought I could ever be as happy as I am right now.”
I looked away for a quick second. I needed to tell him about my decision for the restaurant.
I looked back into his beautiful green eyes and my heart just melted on the spot. I wonder how long he will have such an effect on my emotions like this.
“I made a decision about the restaurant. I’ve wanted to talk to you about it. I already talked to my parents and let them know my decision.”
I saw him tense up and I knew he had been worried I would be rebuilding in Wimberley. There was no way I could run a restaurant and have him be almost two hours from me.
“Oh yeah? What’s the decision?” he asked, trying to seem casual.
I took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I’m not rebuilding.”
His body didn’t relax and he tilted his head and looked at me.
“But, that’s your dream. You were so happy, baby. Why would you walk away like that?”
I smiled and said, “I have a new dream now. Living on a ranch near Marble Falls, Texas, with the most amazing man who I love more than life itself. I’ve been tossing around a few ideas and looking into a few things in Marble Falls. I’m not given up my dream forever. I’m taking a break.”
“Azurdee, are you sure about this? We could make it work if you wanted to rebuild in Wimberley. I don’t want you to walk away from your dreams because of me.”
I shook my head and said, “I saw how much your mother loved helping your father on their ranch. I talked to her about it last Christmas. I want that life with you. Lark, my dreams now involve you. Maybe one or two little Larks at some point in the future.”
The way his eyes lit up when I mentioned babies had my stomach drop like I was on a rollercoaster.
He slowly shook his head and said, “I don’t deserve you.”
“Do we have to eat?”
He pulled his head back in surprise and asked, “What? Aren’t you hungry?”
I bit down on my lower lip and said, “What I’m hungry for Linda can’t give me.”
The left corner of his mouth rose a bit with that damn sexy smile of his. I could see it in his eyes and my body instantly craved his touch.
“Are you sure you want to play? Now?” he asked in that tone of voice that took control and demanded my body’s attention.
The feeling in the pit of my stomach grew stronger and I slowly nodded my head.
Linda walked up and set our salads down. Neither one of us broke our eye contact with each other. Finally Lark pulled his eyes away and looked up at her.
“Linda, we’re going to have to pass on dinner.”
When I peeked up at her she looked confused. “I’m sorry. What do you mean?”
Lark stood up and held his hand out for me as Linda took a step back.
“I mean y’all enjoy the meal. It’s on me. Right now there is something else that is requiring my attention.”
I felt my cheeks flush as I looked away and let Lark lead me back to the house. Before walking through the door I glanced back at Linda, who had the goofiest smile on her face.
“Lark! She knows what we are going to do,” I said as we walked through the door. The door no sooner shut before he pushed me against it and pinned my hands above my head. I loved when he took control like this and I was instantly wet and panting with need.
“Tell me what you want, mi amor. Is this a time to make love, or a time to fuck?”
My mouth dropped open as I looked down at his beautiful lips. I wanted them on my body. I wanted him to take me right here and I didn’t care who knew, who saw, or who heard us.
“My body craves your touch like it’s a drug. I need to feel your lips on my body. I need to feel you inside me,” I whispered.
I swear his eyes lit up even more. He reached his hand up and under my dress as he found his way to my desire. When he pushed my panties to the side and slipped his fingers in he let out a moan.
“I love you baby, and I want to make this special, but right now, I need to fuck you. Hard.”
I dropped my head back against the door and whispered, “Yes.”
He ripped my panties off and then unzipped his pants as he pushed them down. I watched as his own need was revealed.
He picked me up and a few seconds later I got the relief my body longed for. “Oh God. Yes!” I said as he moved in and out of me easing my desire one thrust at a time.
“Lark…”
“Talk to me,” he said between pants.
“Feels…so…good.”
He pushed me more into the door and reached up and grabbed my hair and pulled my head back, exposing my neck to him. The moment his lips touched my skin I exploded.
“Yes! Yes! Lark, harder.”
He gave me just what I asked for and I began calling out his name as a powerful orgasm ripped through my body.
“God, you drive me crazy, baby. I can’t hold off, Azurdee. Baby, I’m coming.”
I held onto him as he rode out his own orgasm, massaging mine into almost another one. He pulled out of me and set me down as he reached down for my ripped panties. He wiped between my legs and then picked me up and carried me upstairs and to the bathroom.
My body was still attempting to recover from the powerful orgasm as he set me down on the bench at the end of the bed. He walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
He walked back up to me and began getting undressed. Every time I saw his scars I wanted to cry. We were both safe now. No one would ever harm us again and I knew Lark would always keep us safe.
I stood up and turned around as he unzipped my dress and let it fall to the floor and po
ol at my feet. I turned around and faced him.
He placed both hands on each side of my face and gently moved his thumbs across my face. “As much as I love doing what we just did, my favorite thing is making love to you slow and gentle. I feel like when we make love, we’re one.”
I nodded my head. “I love you, Lark.”
He reached down and gently kissed me. When he pulled back slightly he whispered against my lips, “You will forever be the love of my life.”
My heart felt like it was floating in my chest and I wanted to cry out I was so happy. He reached down and picked me up and carried me into the shower where we cleaned each other’s bodies off before he slowly made love to me with the hot water pouring over us.
Best. Day. Of. My. Life.
I slowly got out of the bed, slipped on a pair of pants and a T-shirt, grabbed my cell and headed downstairs. I walked into the kitchen and turned on the light and reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a bottled water.
I made my way over to the back door and headed out to the back porch. I sat down and inhaled a deep breath of fresh air and then released it. I closed my eyes and saw Azurdee’s beautiful caramel eyes looking into mine as I made love to her.
“How did I get so damn lucky?” I whispered as I smiled and shook my head. I pulled out my cell phone and started a text message to my mother.
Me: She said yes.
Mom: I never had a doubt in my mind.
Me: Mom, I’ve never felt so happy in my life. I love her so much it scares me.
Mom: Welcome to love. It’s one hell of a journey.
I smiled and in that very moment I knew what my wedding present to Azurdee was going to be.
Me: But what a beautiful journey it will be.
Mom: I raised you right.
Me: It’s late. Why are you up?
Mom: I could ask the same thing.
Me: I asked first.
I shook my head. I was two fucking steps away from my man card being revoked.
Mom: I got up to get a drink and saw your text come through. Go back to sleep son. Hug and kiss that beautiful future daughter-in-law of mine. Sleep well and call me tomorrow. I want to hear all about when you asked her to marry you.