I smile. Austin is so protective of me all the time. But the one thing he can’t protect me from is how my father feels toward me. If he ever left my life, I’d be devastated. But I know he would never do that.
“Don’t worry,” he says again, “Let’s get out of here. We should be enjoying our last night.”
He pays the bill and we link hands as we walk down the beach. The sun still hasn’t quite set yet. I’m about to comment on how beautiful it is when I turn and see that Austin, the love of my life, the father of my child, and the only man I’ve ever wanted, is down on one knee in front of me.
“Austin,” I gasp. I always knew he’d propose someday. I’ve known since that night at the hotel that we’re a sure thing. But seeing him down on one knee still brings tears to my eyes.
“I wanted to wait for the perfect moment,” he says. “And now feels right. I’m here with the most beautiful woman on earth. You’re pregnant with my baby. The sunset is incredible. And I’ve never been more sure that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
I half-sob and half-laugh. It’s a strange moment for me, realizing that the rest of my dreams are about to come true. I watch as Austin produces the most beautiful diamond ring I’ve ever seen out of his pocket.
“I bought this ring back in Paris,” he says. “I saw it and knew it was perfect for you. If you accept, I just know it’ll look beautiful on you. Sydney...life was nothing before I met you. I spent my entire life looking for something to fill the hole in my heart. It turns out that the only thing that could make me whole is you. But now, I want you to commit to being mine forever. I want us to have more children. I want us to spend every single day together. I want a wedding we’ll never forget and a home where we can raise a family. Sydney, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Of course I will,” I giggle. He gives me a sexy smile and slides the ring onto my finger before getting up to sweep me off my feet. He carries me with ease even though my swollen stomach has made me heavier. He kisses me and I feel a familiar tingle between my legs. I know exactly what’s going to happen when we get back to the hotel. He’s going to take me long and hard. And what better way to celebrate our engagement?
He carries me all the way up to our room and then he strips me in record speed, growling in delight at the sight of my naked body. He moves me out onto the balcony, pushing down his pants as he goes.
And then suddenly, he’s inside me, entering me from behind and making me cry out as we make love on the balcony. Anyone could see us, but with the warm summer air on my bare skin and elation in my heart, I don’t care. I want the world to know that I belong to Austin. I want them to know that I’m going to be his wife and he’s going to give me this insane pleasure every single day. We have the perfect life and no one can ever take that away from us.
This is everything I’ve ever wanted.
Austin
Driving up to my best friend’s house with his daughter, my baby in her belly, and my ring on her finger is a little daunting. I never wanted to upset him or make him uncomfortable, but I knew when I saw her eight months ago, in that hotel, that I had to make her mine forever. No force on earth could ever stop me from having her. Not even her father. Not even the man who has been my best friend for as long as I can remember.
I love Sydney. I didn’t even think it was possible for me to love someone, at least not in that way. But looking at her as she snoozes in the passenger seat, fighting off jet lag, I know that I’m the luckiest man alive to have her. She’s perfect. And that’s why I’d fight a thousand men to ensure she’s mine forever, even if they’re people I care about.
I see her father’s house come into view and touch her leg to wake her. She jolts and sees the house, her face turning pale.
“I don’t want to do this…”
“It’ll be okay. I’ll be right by your side,” I say. I pull up in the driveway and get out of the car, taking the lead. That’s what Sydney needs from me right now. I open the door for her and help her out of the car. I put an arm around her waist and when I look up, I see her father waiting for us on the doorstep.