Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
The first pop of a firecracker takes me by surprise, but Harley wraps his arms around me tighter before leaning down to whisper in my ears.
“This is only the first fireworks show of the night,” he says, his warm breath skating over my cheek.
“Is that so?”
He answers by nibbling on my earlobe, something that always shoots need into my core.
“I love fireworks,” I say, the words more of a pant.
“I know, and you won’t even have to cover your moans with a pillow because Mom and Dad are taking Aria back to the hotel with them for the night.”
I squeeze my thighs together with this amazing news. I love being a mom, don’t get me wrong, but there’s just something special about a night where all we have to worry about is taking care of each other. We don’t get them very often, and we take full advantage of them when we do.
“I’m going to fill you up so good, you can’t help but get pregnant.”
I bite my lip at his declaration. We’ve had this conversation more than once. I want a baby with him. Hell, I want loads of babies with this man.
I turn to face him, loving how the fireworks show lights up his eyes. “We talked about this.”
He grins. “I know. My parents just didn’t come down for burgers and explosives. We have an appointment on Monday.”
My heart starts to race. “Really?”
He nods before pressing his lips to mine. “Really.”
“I thought you were holding out until I agreed to something bigger?”
He shakes his head. “I need to make you mine.”
“I’m already yours,” I remind him.
“I need the vows, baby.”
“And you’re okay with something small?”
He bites the corner of his lip, telling me all I need to know.
“It’s not going to be small is it?”
His head shakes. “Will you forgive me?”
“Always,” I tell him, pressing my lips to his.
“Did you just agree to marry me, Alyssa Dansby?”
“I think I did.” I can’t wipe the smile from my face as he lifts me up and spins me around in a circle.
Our celebration mingles with the oohs and awes of the crowd watching the fireworks display, and it leaves us in the perfect little bubble that I’ll cherish forever.
“You’re sure it’s not too soon?” I ask him once he finally sets me back down on my own two feet.
He shakes his head. “I wanted this before I ever crawled in bed with you and confessed my feelings.”
“You’d tell me if you felt trapped? I know I said I wanted to be married before having children, but—”
He stops me from agreeing to whatever he wants with another press of his lips to mine.
“I want you to be my wife. I need you to be my wife. Are you having doubts?”
“Never,” I tell him, tears of happiness bubbling in my eyes. “I want to be yours forever.”
“Then forever is what we’ll have.”
I know what it takes for him to make that promise to me, and I hold on tightly to this man, cherishing every single moment we’re given together.
Chapter 40
Harley
“That look says there’s more going on than winning a bet,” Legend says.
I roll my head on the sun lounger, my grin only growing.
“I offered to help, but she wouldn’t let me,” I tell him, referring to the after-party cleanup.
My offer was purely selfish. The sooner we got everything back in order, the quicker I could get her home and under me.
Legend grins as if he knows my offer was less than chivalrous.
“They’re all stubborn,” Apollo says as he takes a seat. “April was like a bet’s a bet.”
He makes a mocking voice when he imitates his wife’s voice, but there’s no malice there. All of our heads are in the same place. Fireworks displays are magical and romantic, but it doesn’t take explosives and bright lights to rev any of us up when it comes to our women.
“They like teasing us,” Thumper complains. “There’s power in making us wait.”
The bet was who could peel a potato the fastest. The winner got to choose between cooking or cleanup. Boomer, the fastest potato peeler in the world beat Emmalyn, and then he chose to cook. Several of the guys were visibly upset because that meant they were going to miss out on Em’s potato salad. We cooked, ending up with more meat than sides of course because that’s just how men are, and now they’re cleaning up.
I sip a soda as the others drink beers. I have to drive my girl home later, and they only have to walk across the street. I haven’t told Ali yet, but I’ve already approved the plans for our house.
“So,” Legend prods. “Explain the goofy grin.”
“I’m getting married on Monday,” I disclose.
A cheer goes out around the group of guys, and we spend a few seconds tapping our drinks together in celebration.