Intent(68)

River’s bedroom was undoubtedly decorated by a man—well-intentioned, but largely utilitarian in design. Thankfully, the current furniture and layout work for Zoe to sleep comfortably until the repairs on the cabin are finished. Zoe hinted that she should probably get a hotel room so she wouldn’t intrude at Ace’s house, but there was no way I could let her do that. She’s stolen my heart much like River has, and we’re her family now since her parents don’t want her.

Passing by River’s room, an idea pops into my head and I can see it as plain as day. While River definitely isn’t a princess-themed little girl, she would love a room that better reflects her personality. After wasting enough time on my favorite inspiration website, I have more than enough potential ideas to decorate every room in this town.

Before I order everything without even talking to Ace first, I get busy in the kitchen making a special dinner for the two of us. Zoe is closing at the grocery store tonight, so Ace and I have the house all to ourselves. Hopefully, no drama or catastrophes will crop up to distract us. Like clockwork, everything except dessert is ready and waiting on the table just before Ace walks in.

“Something smells good,” he calls out as he walks through the house. “I could get used to being spoiled like this every day.”

“Oh, yeah? What would I get in return?” I challenge.

His muscular arms wrap around me and pull me into his chest. He leans down and murmurs against my lips. “Multiple orgasms every night.”

“Deal,” I quickly agree.

He smiles, his lips still a breath away from mine. “I thought you were a lawyer. You’re a terrible negotiator. Never take the first offer, it’s always the lowball one.”

“You distracted me. Knocked me off my game. Let’s try again.”

“What else do you want?”

“I want…to always get my way. On top of the multiple orgasms every night.”

“Deal, as long as I get to keep you forever.”

Before I can reply, his lips are on mine and I completely lose my ability to think of anything else. Yes, you can definitely keep me forever.

“I’m starving. Let me refuel my engines then I’ll gladly keep up my end of the deal.”

Ace takes a quick shower while I finish making the dessert. When he rejoins me at the table, I show him all my ideas for River’s room over our dinner. He loves my ideas for building a bunk bed fort in her bedroom. It has stairs that lead to a bed on top and a secret playroom underneath. I laugh until I cry at his plans for making our own secret playroom in our bedroom and how we’ll explain it to others. Our conversations come so easy, so natural. In him, I have a best friend and the best lover in the world all wrapped up in one.

After we finish eating, he leads me to the bedroom and makes good on his earlier promise. His lips on my skin, the warmth of his tongue, and the feel of his muscular body as he slides into mine make up my heaven on earth. Repeatedly, we climb to heights only he can take me to before only temporarily allowing me to come back down again. I don’t know how much more my body can take, but dying while feeling this good can’t be all bad.

Afterward, we’re lying in bed, facing each other, and he’s lovingly caressing me with his fingertips. “Marry me.”

I’m not convinced that I’m not hearing things. “What?” I ask softly. “What did you say?”

“I know it’s not the conventional way to propose. But we haven’t exactly had a conventional relationship either. The day you walked into my life, I knew there was something special about you. Every day that we’ve spent together, I’ve fallen more in love with you. Every minute that we’re apart, you’re on my mind. We’re raising River together and we’re about to adopt a newborn. Marry me.”

His eyes move back and forth while he gauges my reaction. There’s no fear or questions in his, only confidence and patience.

“I’d love to marry you.”

“Tomorrow?”

“I may need a little more notice than tomorrow. Besides, doesn’t it take a few days to get a marriage license?”

“Not in Georgia. And I’m not waiting past the weekend.” His smile is playful but his tone is resolute.

“Do you really want to get married that soon? Or are you messing with me?”

“I would get up early and marry you tomorrow morning. It’s not like we have a lot of family who would be upset if they weren’t invited,” he reasons.

“Your sister and your daughter may have something to say about that,” I remind him.

“They’d just be happy it actually happened.” His kiss distracts me, as it’s meant to. “So what do you say?”

I release a long, happy, satisfied sigh. “Yes.”

“Yeah?” He sounds so excited.

“Yes, I’d love to marry you early tomorrow morning.”

“We’ll get the marriage license as soon as the courthouse opens. Then we’ll go to the Oak Grove wedding chapel where I’ll make you mine forever.”

“Did you forget something?”

His brows scrunch together and he looks charmingly confused. “Nope. That’s the entire plan.”

“You’ll be mine forever, too.”

“Baby, I’m yours forever whether you marry me or not.”