Sounded kind of like what I’d had in the works for about six weeks.
If the jeweler got another call from me, he swore he’d up the price another five hundred bucks for pain and suffering. But I wanted the perfect ring to ask her to be mine. I’d decided to put my mother’s diamond at the center of it, with a little extra flash to suit my fiery woman’s temper and passion.
Erica pulled my hand down to her chest and I forgot all about rings. “Have you noticed things are changing a little?”
“Well, everything’s been changing. Including the house thing you just lobbed at me.” Her distracting breasts were too close for me to concentrate. And yes, her breasts were a bit more than a handful these days, but I didn’t mind that in the least.
“About that. We’re going to need the room.”
I looked up from my second favorite place on her body. “I promise, my sister is moving into her own apartment. Soon enough, we’ll have the place to ourselves.”
She moved my hand lower to her belly. “More room.”
My heart thundered, and my eyes widened.
She grinned. “I knew you’d catch on quick.”
I cupped the slight curve of her belly. “A baby?” I whispered.
“Looks like those swimmers of yours were in a hurry that first night in the bar. You freaking knocked me up on the first try, sir.”
I wrapped my arms around her and twirled her around. “No shit. I told you I wanted to put a baby inside this perfect body.”
“Don’t make it weird.”
I laughed and set her down, and then crouched in front of her belly. “Hello in there. I’m gonna marry your mom and be the best dad ever, I swear.”
She slid her fingers through my hair. “Jake, we haven’t talked about that yet.”
“You know you’re going to marry me.” I slid my hand up the back of her leg and gave her ass a good squeeze on the way up as I stood.
“I…”
“I had a plan too.” I laced my fingers along her lower back, pressing her belly against mine. “But I don’t care. When I get the ring in from my buddy’s jeweler friend, I’m going to ask you again. Probably naked.”
She laughed as her tears started rolling. She lifted her hands to my face, petting my beard like she always did.
“I love you. I’ve loved you since we were kids. I’m going to make sure you know that each and every day. Our kids will never wonder if their parents love one another. In fact, they’ll probably run away from us in disgust because I can’t stop kissing you and touching you.” I dropped kisses on her mouth after every word.
Her laughter was the sweetest sound.
She curled her fingers around my wrists and rose onto her toes to get even closer. “Of course I’ll marry you. I love you, my fireman daddy,” she whispered.
* * *