Chapter Nine
Ivy
I wake to find the space next to me empty. I yawn and stretch, feeling sore in the best way. Last night was… everything. All my hopes and dreams rolled up into one big, growly man who seems to want me, love me as much as I love him.
A door slams somewhere close by, and I jump and then become still, listening intently. I hear footsteps. Someone is coming. I hold my breath, praying that it's Ash. It's like a re-run of yesterday morning, only this time I know exactly where I am and exactly why I'm naked.
The bedroom door opens, and Ash stands there, dressed in a button-down shirt and suit pants. He looks edible.
"Morning, beautiful," he says, removing items of clothing as he stalks towards the bed.
"Where do you think you've been?" I ask with a pout. "I woke up, and you weren't here."
"Don't worry, Kitten. I won't ever be away from your side for long," he says, sliding his boxers down his legs so that his hard cock bounces free.
I lick my lips. "You didn't answer my question," I say, trying to focus as he climbs into bed next to me, pulling me flush with his hard body.
"I went to see your mom."
I pull back to look at him. "What?"
He tells me everything while he smooths his hands over my skin, through my hair, as if he can't stop touching me.
"So… she was okay? About us?" I ask in disbelief. I'm not sure whether to feel angry or grateful that he went to see Mom without me. I'll decide later after I've punished him a little with my mouth.
"As fine as she's going to be until she sees that we're not playing around here," he replies. "I think she took it pretty fucking well, under the circumstances. I thought she was going to serve my balls up to me on a platter."
"Yeah, she's more than capable of doing something like that when it comes to her loved ones," I say with a wry smile.
Mom loves ferociously, which is why she's never pursued a relationship with anyone else since Dad died. She'll come to see that Ash and I love each other just as ferociously as she and Dad did.
"So, what now?" I ask, sliding my hand down his firm abs and grasping his hard cock.
He hisses through his teeth, but to my surprise, he gently disentangles himself from me and gets up. I gaze at his broad shoulders and muscled ass as he crosses to a chest of drawers, wondering what he's up to. He opens the top one and removes something before turning and walking back towards the bed.
Perching on the edge, he opens the small velvet box in his hand a removes a beautiful solitaire diamond ring. He reaches for my left hand, sliding it onto my ring finger and nodding with approval when it fits perfectly.
"I've been waiting to put that ring on your finger for three years," he says, lifting my hand to his mouth and kissing my knuckles.
My mouth drops open, and I just look at him, stunned speechless. "Does that mean—are you asking me to marry you?"
He shakes his head. "Not asking. Telling."
Warmth floods my girlie bits at his no-nonsense reply. "Then I guess I should tell you that you have no choice either. I'm marrying you whether you want to or not."
He laughs at my display of defiance. "Never in doubt, Kitten, never in doubt."
I nod. "Good to know we're on the same page."
He pushes me back on the bed, looming over me. "Oh, we're on the same page. Of the same book. In the same library."
I giggle at his words, cupping his face in my hands. "I love you, Ash."
He dips his head, claiming a kiss. "I love you too, Ivy."
"Then show me."
He understands what I need. "Does someone's pussy need a little attention?" he asks, inserting his thigh between my legs.