“What do you think?” she asks, twirling for me. When I see the back of the dress stretched tight over her ass, I almost lose it right there in the living room.
“You look amazing, Cherry.”
“Thank you, and thank you for the dress,” she says, making her way over to me. Her kiss is soft at first, but then I take control of it, demanding more of her. I almost say fuck it and throw her down on the floor, but I worked hard to make this night perfect. I want her to remember this night forever. Come hell or high water, she will.
“Where are we going?” she asks, trying to catch me off guard. It won’t work though. I have got my game face on.
“It is a surprise,” I say, laughing.
“Fine. Keep your secrets.”
“Oh, I will.”
Outside of the building, we push through a parade of reporters who have no interest in us. Directing her to the limo I rented, I open the door for her.
“For me? You did not have to do this, Brendan. I am only twenty-two. It is not a milestone or anything.”
“The day of your birth is a milestone no matter how long ago it was. Greatest day ever.”
“Thank you,” she giggles and slides into the limo.
We are on the way to the dock. I offer her more champagne, but again she declines. When we arrive, I help her out of the car.
“Watch your step,” I tell her. Her heels could get caught on the cobblestone, and I do not want her to fall. We are on the gangway before she realizes the destination is a massive two hundred and twenty-foot yacht, the Hedonism III.
“We are going on that?” she asks excitedly.
“Yep. A private birthday cruise on the Hudson.”
“Do you own this?”
“No, Cherry. Just renting.”
“Oh my God. It’s gorgeous,” she says, shaking hands with Captain Dan. “You really are James Bond.”
“Nah,” I say, chuckling.
“Welcome aboard, Ms. Vitali, Mr. O’Neal. We will be setting sail momentarily,” Captain Dan tells us.
“Excellent,” I say, leading her to the main cabin where the view will be best while we eat dinner. Once we are alone, she spins around the cabin.
“Brendan, this is breathtaking,” she says, laughing.
“So it is,” I say, not caring about the view. She takes my breath away every day. I had planned to wait until the fireworks to propose, but I cannot wait any longer.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asks. Reaching into my jacket pocket, I pull out the ring box and go down on one knee in front of her. “Tá tú mo chroí, mo anam, mo ghrá, agus mo shaol. I gcónaí agus go deo.”
“What does that mean?” she asks.
“You are my heart, my soul, my love, and my life. Always and forever,” I reply.
“Oh, God. That’s beautiful. Sei il mio cuore, la mia anima, il mio amore, e la mia vita. Sempre e per sempre. For some reason, the Italian doesn’t sound as pretty as the Gaelic. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever said anything like that,” she says, laughing, which causes me to laugh too.
“I am so in love with you. Make me the happiest man in the world. I know this is sudden, and people will say we are crazy, but I don’t care what they say. Will you marry me, Brynn Vitali?”
“Yes,” she says without hesitation. “I love you too,” she breathes. I slide the gold diamond solitaire ring onto her finger and kiss her. She pulls back from me after a few minutes.
“I have something to tell you,” she starts, and I think it is going to be the mafia thing, but she surprises me instead. “I’m pregnant. I know we weren’t doing anything to prevent it, but I was still shocked it happened so soon. You don’t look happy. Are you happy?” The shock must be evident on my face, but I quickly turn that into a smile.
“Holy shit, Brynn. I am the luckiest bastard ever to walk the Earth,” I say, lifting her into my arms and spinning her around.
We make love on the yacht, missing the fireworks I paid so much for because we are too busy making our own.
She still hasn’t told me about her family, but we have the rest of our lives for that. My only thought now is how soon I can marry her.
Chapter 16
Brynn
Three Days Later
This morning Brendan said he had to go to Miami for a work thing and invited me to come with him. This impromptu weekend trip to Florida could not have come at a better time. A little babymoon is a good idea before it is too late. He said it was for business, but he hasn’t done anything work-related since we’ve been here. We flew into Miami this morning. I went shopping while he had his meeting, then he surprised me with Key West. He rented a car, and we drove the rest of the way. After a day of travel and outdoor Florida shopping, I relished the thought of a nice, hot shower. We are staying at the Sheehan Key West Garden Vista. It is the hotel my family usually stays at. I am friendly with the staff, and so they hooked us up with a villa right on the water.