Pulling his hands from his pockets, Noah drops to one knee, and I gasp. Holding my breath, I wait because I don’t want to assume before I pass out. I can’t seem to breathe.
“Ember, I have loved you for longer than I can say, and every time I pulled away from you, it killed me a little more inside each and every day. Nearly losing you through my own stupidity and then again…” He doesn’t finish the words but shakes them from his mind. “I would be one hell of a lucky man if you agreed to be my wife.”
“Yes.” I squeal, dropping to my knees in front of him, crushing the flowers to my chest as he takes my hand and places a stunning diamond ring on my finger. “Noah.” I whisper his name, and there’s nothing but love and complete adoration in the sound.
“Yes? You’ll marry me?” I nod my head so vigorously, I grow dizzy. “Thank fuck,” he groans before recapturing my lips in a soul-defining kiss.
9
Noah
She said, yes!
I don’t know what the hell I did right in this world, but I’ve just become the richest man in the universe. Now, I’ll have Ember tied to me for life.
Lifting her in my arms, she wears a dreamy smile on her face as she stares up at me with subtle glances at her ring.
Forgetting anyone is here, my goal is to take her upstairs and ravish her until we’re both too tired to move.
“Hey!” Kol’s voice stops me as I’m on the third step. “Dinner?” He smirks.
“Fuck,” I groan.
Ember doesn’t miss a beat, though. “We’re pregnant and engaged. Take the food and go home! Now!” Kol’s jaw drops, Thea sighs and relaxes into Kol’s chest, and I begin my ascent upstairs once again.
My only destination is getting Ember into bed. Slamming the door shut as we enter her room, I let her body slide down mine, and she places the flowers on her dresser. Dragging my shirt up my body, I toss it to the side as I prowl towards my future wife. Her shyness always a turn on as her gaze roams my muscular frame.
“It’s been too long, baby,” I growl, reaching for her. Her casted hand lands on my chest as the other digs into my hair. “Have I mentioned I’m sorry lately?” My eyes close when her fingers begin to massage my scalp.
“Many times. I think you can stop now.” The st
eady thumping of my heart echoes in my ears when I feel Ember lean into me. Her lips graze mine before kissing along my jaw, down my throat, and across my chest. “I forgave you after the first note, Noah. I just didn’t know it at the time.”
Gathering her in my arms, I bury my face in her neck. “You’re too fucking good for me.” Kissing the shell of her ear, my hands run up her back and under her shirt before lifting it over her head.
“I’m perfect for you, Noah. It just took you longer to figure it out.” Her playful grin is reminiscent of the jovial Ember I’ve always known, and seeing the spark in her eyes again gives me hope for her peace of mind.
“Yeah,” I agree with her. “It really did, but I’m here now, and nothing will ever change that.”
“Good.” She grins up at me before her hands slip to my belt. Her growl when the cast gets in her way makes me laugh. “This damn thing.”
“Let me.” Brushing her hands aside, I undo my pants before unhooking her bra and slipping her yoga pants down her legs. Removing the thick socks she enjoys wearing year-round at the same time.
Standing before me in nothing but violet panties, her cast, hair cascading down her shoulders, and a few bruises, she’s never looked more stunning. What has me falling to my knees in front of her, though, is the barely-there baby bump. If you hadn’t been intimate with her before, you’d never notice. But I do, and my chest tightens with more love than I ever thought possible.
“Christ, it’s beautiful,” I murmur, cupping her belly with my hands.
“You noticed?” I gaze up at her with silent words.
“I notice everything about you, Ember. This is one of the most important parts. I’d be a fool not to.” A blush creeps up her neck.
Kissing just above her navel, I lay a light trail of kisses and nips up her belly and chest until I’m standing again before retaking her mouth. Losing my pants and underwear, I usher her to lie on the bed, not once breaking contact.
Holding her to me, I slide her panties to the side before exploring her folds with my fingers. Wet for me, I groan when I find her entrance and gently slide a finger in to my knuckle. Massaging her walls, Ember squirms in my arms. I can feel her breathing become labored, and her body shakes.
“You’re more than ready for me, aren’t you?” I stare into her dazed expression, and I can see she’s teetering on the edge. Not wanting her to plummet over without me, I push her panties to the side and thrust into her core to the hilt. Hissing out, “I forgot how fucking tight you are.”
“Lack of experience.” She bites my jaw, and I growl.