“I love you too, Mom,” I said, and with those words, it felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders.
Chapter Nine
Asher – Thirteen Months Later
“Asher Hunt, what in the world are you up to now?” She adjusted the silky blindfold on her eyes.
“Hang on tight, baby. Just take it slowly.” He hauled me out of the passenger seat of his car and into his arms. Snuggling me close, he inhaled a breath at my ear and then whispered, “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“I figured.” she adjusted the blindfold again, clearly not liking the lack of control, exactly the reason I’d planned it this way. Everything about our relationship had kept me on my toes. If I thought pining for this woman for three years would have prepared me for all of the wild and crazy chaos of her, I was wrong. And I loved every second of it.
“Just a few more steps,” I cooed, hand at her elbow as I guided her around the edge of the big house.
“Asher, you’re crazy. It’s Thanksgiving Day. Who plans a surprise on a holiday?” She was rambling, and I wasn’t even trying to hide my smile as we came into view of the most beautiful spread I’d ever laid eyes on.
“This is it,” I whispered, eyes lighting on the eager gazes of our closest friends and family. I caught my brother’s gaze from the back of the crowd, and he winked once at me. When I’d informed him and Leigh’s mom about my little plan, to say they were hesitant was an understatement, but it hadn’t taken them long to see my side of things.
“Ready, baby?” I whispered in her ear, my own anticipation about ready to jump out of my throat.
“So ready.” She shifted against me, excited grin turning up her cute little lips.
“Well, I hope you’re not mad—” I slipped my fingertips under the silk and lifted “—but I took the liberty of doing a thing.”
I lifted the blindfold off and spun her toward the house, the view, the one I’d been working most of my life to make mine, now ours.
“Whoa. This is a little extravagant for a Thanksgiving dinner, isn’t it?” she breathed, eyes taking in the mountain peaks across the valley, lake nestled at the base, our new home perched on top of it all.
“Welcome home, Leigh.” I took her hands in mine, spinning her to the side so she finally caught a glimpse of all of our family members.
“Asher Hunt, stop it.” She giggled, clearly not believing me. “This isn’t a home. It’s a mansion.”
“It’s closer to your university classes,” I offered, grin widening.
She arched an eyebrow. “Do I have to clean it?”
I laughed out loud at the all too serious look on her face. “Not for a second.” I gathered her in my arms. “I plan on keeping you plenty busy with more pleasurable things.”
“Is that so?” She grinned back at me, happiness radiating from her eyes.
“Very busy.” I dropped to one knee, sliding the ring from my pocket and taking her hand in mine. “Being my wife.”
Her eyes shot open wide.
“Marry me. I want to live the dream with you. I want to take care of you. I want to be wrapped around these thighs for all the rest of my days.”
Tears were streaming down her cheeks now, hands trembling as she took in the emerald cut diamond that’d been part of my family’s private collection for generations. It was a priceless heirloom, and it finally was at home on her finger where it belonged.
“Oh, Asher.” She flung herself into my arms. “Yes, yes, yes, I can’t wait to be your wife.” She plastered me in kisses as I hauled both of us off our knees as the crowd erupted into cheers.
“This would have been a pretty awkward engagement dinner if that’d gone the other way on me.”
She laughed against my chest. “Just as long as you swear I’m permanently on vacation from cleaning that big-ass mansion you call a house behind us, I’m with you on this adventure for anything.”
I grinned, my fiancée’s hand clasped at my waist as we entered the crowd of family congratulating us.
I caught my brother’s eye across the crowd, just as he wiped at his eyes. He looked emotional, but he’d been nagging me to settle down and buy a house and start a family for a long damn time. My big brother had always had my back, and this time, it wasn’t any different.
“I’m such a lucky bastard,” I cooed at her ear so no one else could hear. “It’s going to be tough keeping my hands off you until the wedding.”
“Excuse me? Say that one more time?” Leigh’s eyes narrowed on mine, etched with concern.
I laughed. “I’m a gentleman, baby girl. What can I say?”
“Gentleman my ass.” She snaked her arms around my waist and pulled me close.