The Vow (North Woods University 4)

With a heavy heart, I walk to the front door, preparing to tell her about the message. As soon as I enter the house, I hear the low humming of music and find her sitting cross-legged on a bar stool, a paintbrush in her hand. Closing the door gently behind me, I take a moment to stare at her, drinking her in. God, she’s beautiful, and completely mine.

As if she can sense I’ve entered the room, she twists around, her eyes finding mine immediately. Those big blues of hers twinkle with joy. She smiles, perfectly straight white teeth appearing from behind her soft pink lips.

“I didn’t even know you were home; you were so quiet.”

“Sorry,” I murmur. Setting my keys down on the table, I slip out of my shoes and take off my jacket, draping it over the back of one of the chairs. When I don’t return her smile, she gets up, the sound of her paintbrush falling into the water sounds like a pin dropping in a silent room.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Fear, or maybe even dread, drips from her words.

Taking her into my arms, I bury my head into the crook of her neck and hold her close to my chest. She smells like a tropical island, like rainwater and coconuts. Her scent calms me and reminds me that everything is going to be okay. I’m not afraid of losing her again, we’re stronger than that now, but I’m tired of dealing with this person, tired of living in the past.

Pulling away, I look down at her. She has white paint smudged against her cheek and red paint on her hands. She looks like a true artist.

“The blackmailer messaged me again. It sounds like they want more money.”

Lily’s gaze widens, “You didn’t give them any, did you?”

I shake my head, “No, of course not, but I’m getting tired of being reminded of this. We’re moving forward and whoever this person is, is trying to make it, so we don’t. I just want them to go away. They’re ruining everything.”

Lily takes my face into her hands, forcing me to look at her even though it’s the last thing I want to do. I’m ashamed and angry that we’re still dealing with this. She shouldn’t be reminded of this over and over again.

“Everything is going to be okay. We have each other. Try to ignore it. Maybe with no response, they’ll take the hint.”

I didn’t want to shoot her down, but that happening was very slim. Whenever money was involved, people would do some crazy things.

“Maybe, or maybe they’ll try harder. Maybe they’ll continue pushing until they get what they want.” Anger was pulsing through me, burning like a raging wildfire.

“Stop, don’t let them get to you,” Lily whispered, her lips pressing against mine in a faint kiss. There was nothing like kissing her, nothing like making love when you loved the person you were doing it with.

My hands move to her hips, and I pull her closer, feeling all her soft curves. My cock already growing hard, begging to be inside her, even though I had just had her this morning.

“Whoa, before we lose our minds, and our clothing, tell me what the surprise is.” Lily grins, and it hits me then. I almost forgot to tell her about the house with the studio.

“I know it’s a little soon, and maybe you’ll say no, I don’t know.”

Lily’s face turns serious, “You aren’t going to ask me to marry you, are you?”

Chuckling, I ask, “Would it really be that bad?”

She blinks slowly, “No, but I don’t think we’re ready to get married yet.”

“Are you ready to move in together? To buy a house together?”

Shock replaces the seriousness in her eyes, “You aren’t being serious, are you?”

“Yes, yes, I am.” Lily doesn’t respond, so I take that moment to explain. “I want to put an offer in on a three-bedroom house on the outskirts of town. It has a nice studio above the garage that you could use as your paint room, and I think the quietness of the country would help so that you could paint without distraction.”

Her big blues glisten with unshed tears, “You didn’t have to do all of this for me.” She croaks, her throat tightening with emotion.

“I know, I didn’t,” I soothe, taking my hand and running it down her long blonde locks. “But I wanted to. You mean everything to me, and your dreams are mine. I want everything you want for yourself, and I want you to be as happy as I am.”

“I am happy. I’m so happy it’s almost crazy how good life has been. I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop, for someone to pinch me and tell me this is nothing but a dream.”

Leaning into her face, I whisper, “It isn’t a dream. This is our new reality, and I can’t wait to make a future with you.” Pressing a gentle kiss to her button nose, I wait for her to respond. When she doesn’t, I go to pull away, but only make it about an inch before her lips collide with mine.