Restored

“My girl stopped cooking for me so I picked up a few skills.” My shoulders drop but I still smile. Him calling me his girl feels good, but not the reminder that I stopped cooking for him and stopped coming around altogether. I kept my distance.

“Gemma.” He pulls the pan off the stove before coming over to me. I lean my head back, knowing he’s going to kiss me just as he drops his mouth to mine. “I can only do breakfast foods.” His hand wraps in my hair as he pulls my head back more. “I’m only teasing you, like old times.” He smiles against my mouth and he’s right. This is like old times, teasing one another. I lift a little so my lips press more into his and our tongues tangle as we make love with our mouths. This isn’t like old times though. This is new and I’m never going back to not having it. I was a fool to not see how much he loved me.

He pulls back and releases his hold on my hair. “Eat. I got shit to show you.”

I nod and do as I’m told while he makes a plate for himself and sits down next to me. I can’t help but steal small glances at him. He’s doing the same because we can’t help ourselves. This us thing is really happening and it’s something we’ve both wanted for so long.

“Why did you tell me no when I asked you out?” I finally ask the question that’s been on my mind. If he wanted me all this time and has been waiting around for me, then why did he say no?

“I didn’t say no.” He takes my empty plate from me.

I think back to that day when I was standing in the shop with him saying he couldn’t. I was so nervous but I was so sure I was reading the signs right and asked him out.

“I had to talk to your dad first.” He puts the plate in the sink before turning to face me again. “Your dad was like a father to me.”

I nod in agreement. “He loved you like a son,” I tell him.

I want him to know that, because he always treated Bronx different than the other guys in the shop. He took him under his wing to help guide him. He brought him home to our dinner table and pushed Bronx to open his own place. He even once told me Bronx was the kind of man that a woman should marry and that he was a good man and would be good to her.

“And I loved him.” He shakes his head. “Love him,” he corrects as he clears the space between us. “I love you too.” He lifts me easily and sets me on the counter as he steps between my legs. My heart flutters in my chest and I have to fight from crying. I want to tell him I love him too, but I know he’s not done talking.

“I had to tell him what I was feeling for you and what my intentions were before I took you out.” His thumb glides across my bottom lip and I swallow, still fighting those tears.

“Did you get the chance to ask him?” He nods his head yes and a sad smile pulls at his lips.

I don’t need him to tell me because I know my dad gave his blessing. Now, when I look back on it, I think my dad was nudging us together all along. Even in his death he was pushing us in the same direction. He wants us to be together.

“What are those intentions?” I tilt my head to the side, smiling up at him. I have a pretty good idea of what they are because this is forever. Our actions last night made that clear as day and I could be pregnant right now. I’m permanently branded on his skin and there’s no stopping it now.

“Making you my wife. Putting my babies inside of you.” He isn’t asking, he’s straight-out telling me. “Having a life together.”

“You’re bossy.” I like it and it probably shouldn’t turn me on but it does. I wrap my legs around him and smile. I’m going to marry him, but I’m not giving him a yes until he gets down on one knee.

“I am,” he agrees before leaning in and kissing me again. “Now tell me you love me.”

“I love you,” I say instantly.

For the first time in a long time I feel whole. I’ll always miss my dad, but I don’t have the empty feeling deep inside me anymore.

“No more running.” He tries to shoot me a hard stare but I fight a laugh.

That look might scare others but not me. Bronx can be rough with me but it’s the sweetest kind. My body is bearing those aches today and maybe a few marks too. I like the idea of having reminders of him all over my body.