“And now?”
“I don’t know what to say. You’re adopting him, and you’re telling me you love me. I don’t know what to do. I’m scared a little. I love you, and I know you’ve been afraid about being able to love, but I know you can love, more than anything.”
He reached into his jeans pocket. “I’m an asshole of mega proportions. I screw everything up, but I also learn from my mistakes. I want you, Tempe. I want you for the rest of my life as my wife, and one day, I hope as the mother of my child.” He opened up the box, displaying the simple diamond ring. “I’ve never been good with speeches. I’ve not had any practice with proposals, and I know I’m screwing this one up. I was hoping you’d give me a chance and marry me.”
Her mouth was open, and she glanced around the restaurant. No one paid them any attention, and he saw the tears in her eyes.
“I didn’t want to make you cry.”
“How can you make me hate you and love you at the same time?”
This time he felt tears spring to his eyes. “I’ve been told there a fine line between love and hate. I’m hoping that it’s a pretty big line.”
She nodded her head. “I never stopped loving you. I tried to stop, and I wanted to hate you, but I can’t do that. You have no idea just how much you’re capable of love, Wayne.”
“Is that a maybe?” he asked, smiling.
Temperance chuckled. “You know my mom said that you’ll know the right guy because he’ll drive you completely crazy. One moment you’ll want to make love and dance the night away. Other times you’ll want to beat him over the head with a skillet.”
“What do you want to do?”
“I want to marry you,” she said. “I want to marry you, and to show you that you’re a man who can love, and who doesn’t have to be afraid of screwing it up. You won’t. You can put your trust in other people, and above all, that you can love someone without expecting anything in return.”
“I know I love you, and I know I love Timothy. Without you two, I’ve been so lost. There’s no way I could live without you two, and I don’t want to.”
He leaned over the table and pressed a kiss to her lips. Plunging his tongue inside her mouth, he kissed her hard and deep, and for so long that the waiter had to clear his throat for him to pull away.
Sliding the ring on her finger, Wayne knew that he’d never give her a reason to doubt him again.
He’d learned his lesson, and there was no way he’d risk the love of his life again.
Chapter Fourteen
Five months later
“Today is the day that playboy daddy comes off the market. Yes, to all the women of the world, Wayne Myers is set to marry Temperance Michaels in one of the most lavish events of the year. The wedding itself is predicted to cost a small fortune, but what is money when the couple in question are so much in love? ‘The Nanny and the Playboy,’ That’s the title of this crap,” Lilah said.
Temperance laughed as she twirled around toward her friend. The dress she wore hugged every single one of her curves, and it was just divine. There had been much speculation about her and Wayne’s relationship. He wouldn’t tell the media a thing, and it drove them nuts, especially as Timothy was also theirs as well. They hadn’t offered interviews or given anything away of their world.
This was their life, and in the past five months her love for Wayne had grown. She had always wanted a Christmas wedding, and with the big day next week, snow was on the ground, and today she’d finally become Mrs. Temperance Myers.
Lilah held her cell phone up and took a picture. “You look absolutely stunning. So captivating and beautiful.”
Temperance couldn’t stop smiling, and she took a deep breath.
“I can’t believe this is happening.”
“It really is. Do you think your parents would have liked him?” Lilah asked.
Temperance nodded. “They would have adored him. They said never settle for anything less than what you want. He makes me feel so alive, Lilah.”
Her friend held her close. “Then we better get this show on the road, right?”
She nodded, and there was a knock on the door. There had been no one to give her away, and so she asked Timothy if he’d do that.
Opening the door, she saw him there with James, Wayne’s best man.
“I’ve got to get back into position. Are we ready?” James asked.
“Yes, more than ready.”
“I’ll let him know that you’ve not decided to run off.” James winked at her before rushing off.
“You look beautiful,” Timothy said.
“Thank you, sweetie.”
“Here, don’t forget your roses.” Lilah handed her the bright red roses, and she held the bouquet.