“That’s very handy.”
It will be.
“Did you want to see the master bedroom?” I asked.
“Of course I do. But seeing this place makes me dread going back to the cottage,” she joked.
“You won’t hate it so much when I’m there with you,” I said, lying through my teeth. I really liked her parents, but that didn’t mean I wanted to share the cabin with them. Especially not after going so long without holding Kyleigh in my arms. Can’t wait for the honeymoon. I’m not sure we’ll ever leave the bedroom.
I opened the door and stepped aside. Kyleigh walked in and stopped in her tracks. “Oh, my goodness. Liam, it’s…” She started to cry and then said, “It’s even better than the one in New Hampshire.”
I walked over and asked, “Why are you crying?”
“Because it’s everything I would’ve wanted if it was our home. And even though I am happy for the owners, I can’t help but wish you had built this for us,” she sniffed. “Look, it even has the matching window looking out the back, and the view is even better.”
“I’m glad you like my work. Did you want to take a closer look at this fireplace?” I asked.
She shrugged, but walked over. When she got closer, she picked up a framed photo on the teakwood mantel. It was a close-up picture I had snapped with my phone while we were in the jacuzzi.
Kyleigh turned around and said, “That’s… that’s us.”
“It is,” I said.
“What is our picture doing in their home?” she asked.
“Because it belongs to the owners.”
“Liam, that is our picture.”
I stepped closer to her and said, “This is our home.”
She looked around the room again, and then back to me. “You’re serious, aren’t you? You built this for me, for us?” I nodded. “You remembered.”
“I might not always listen as well as I should, but I really try. And you said, this was your dream.”
“It is, but what about your dream? I thought you wanted to live in the city!”
“My dream is to come home to your delicious kisses every night.”
Pulling her into my arms I said, “Speaking of kisses, we’re all alone here. What are the chances I can get a few of them now?”
She smiled and said, “You know we have to wait until our wedding night before we can be intimate again.”
“Unfortunately, I do. And that is why cold showers were invented,” I said. Over the last few months, I’d had more than my share of them.
She looked over at the bed and said, “What if the bed is not comfortable?”
I raised a brow and gave her a warning look. “Don’t tease. It’s hard enough, literally.”
Kyleigh ran her hand down my chest and said, “You know that a nurse hates to see anyone in…pain. And I’m sure you’re aching as much as I am right now.”
My body tensed and I said, “You’re right. I’m hurting and you’re all the medicine I need.”
I scooped her into my arms and carried her to the king bed. Before laying her down, I asked her one more time, “Are you sure about this? I know your culture says we wait.”
“It does. But one thing about marriage is the blending of cultures, and I think the Irish are a little more forgiving about such things.”
“I’m not sure my parents would agree, but then again, this is our home. We can do whatever we want here,” I said. “I love you, Kyleigh.”
“I love you too, Liam. Now kiss me already,” she demanded.
As I kissed her, I knew this may be our house, but being in her welcoming arms would be my home forever.