I cock my head to the side and widen my eyes until my brow furrows. “What if you’re too late?”
“Then I’ll drag you home and convince you I’m not too late.” He steps forward and cups the back of my neck, drawing me toward him. Like, I’m not going to go. But I keep my arms crossed, blocking him from getting too close.
“I’m already going home. Why come here when you could have waited until this afternoon?” God, he smells good. I drag in his scent, letting it comfort me. I missed waking up with his body pressed to me and his scent on my skin.
“That should also be obvious.” His fingers stroke along my flesh, sending goosebumps in all directions. He’s got about 30 seconds to get the groveling part done, or I’m going to climb him like a tree. “I wanted to prove I was man enough to sacrifice you for your own good but fuck it, I’m not that good. I’m weak and willing to ruin you for life to make myself happy. I can’t live without you.”
My knees buckle as I sway toward him. Is it sick that those words make me happy? Yes, yes, it is, but I don’t care. For once, I want to be first. “What about your father’s company?”
“I let you believe I chose the company over you. I knew Heather would jump at the chance to shove it in your face that I chose money over you. And I let her. I knew that was the only way you’d move on. If you thought, I chose the company over you.” He cups my face with his other hand. “But the second she left, I set him straight, gave him my immediate notice, and walked away with nothing. I would never choose money over you. And we’ve already established I won’t choose your happiness over mine.” He winks. “So, what do you say to living miserable with me?”
I laugh and sling my arms over his shoulders. “I’d love to be miserable with you. That sounds like heaven. And we must have been on the same page. I quit school and took the program director’s position at the shelter, which my father is not excited about. But it’s the best decision for me.”
“Congratulations, I’m proud of you.” He pulls me closer until I land against him, causing his face to contort, and it’s not with pleasure.
“What’s wrong?” I pull back and survey his face.
“I got something for you.” He turns away from the crowd and lifts his shirt, exposing his chest. His skin is red and covered with plastic and tape–underneath is a daisy over his heart.
Tears of joy spring to my eyes. “It is beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful, and where you will always belong. In my heart. From the moment I saw you, the end was written, you’re mine.”
“Shut up.” I grab his face and drag his mouth to mine, not caring who’s looking. His lips are soft against mine, but soon he’s demanding more until I whimper in frustration.
Why didn’t he find me at the hotel instead of here at the airport. There are a lot of other things I’d prefer to be doing right now than having people grumble as they step around us. His tongue dances against mine, and every muscle turns to goo as I melt into him.
He pulls back and rests his forehead against mine. “Baby, I love you, and I’m sorry I didn’t give you a chance to decide what you wanted. I wanted the best of everything for you.”
“Maybe I did.” I run my tongue over my top teeth. “Maybe I wanted to end things with you.”
He stiffens, putting distance between us. “Is that what you want?” His eyes are dark with worry.
Now, that’s better.
“No.” I smirk. “But it does make me feel better that you thought I did for a second.”
“Wait until we get back, and I paddle your ass,” he growls as a man in a Hawaiian button-down shirt walks by, stops, and eyes us up and down as if he’s memorizing us for a future jerkoff session.
“I’m looking forward to it.” I close my eyes and let everything sink in. “I didn’t believe this would happen.” I inhale. “A part of me always thought I wasn’t good enough for a relationship or that I wasn’t good enough for you.”
“Daisy.” The pain in his voice causes me to open my eyes. “You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. I love your spirit. I adore that you talk too much when you’re nervous. I appreciate that you would go into a career that you don’t want to make someone else happy. I love that you have the strength to realize that you must put yourself first and stand up to your father. And I’m so proud of you for the work you do at the shelter.”
“Thank you.” With each gushing statement, my heart grows bigger until it feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest. I lace my fingers through his hair, loving that I can touch him any time I want. Unless…. “What does this mean?”
“Baby, what this means is you’re going to move in with me, and we’re not going to care what anyone has to say about it. It doesn’t matter what society says. Right or wrong. We belong together. And we’re going to shout it to anyone who listens.”
He leans down and nuzzles my neck until my toes curl and people are gawking. Yeah, he’s clearly not going to care what people say. I shiver against him, causing him to growl, “And when we get back home, I’m going to fuck you so hard and so good there’s no chance you’re leaving my bed until my baby is in your belly.”
I jerk backward and swallow over the dryness in my throat. His eyes bore into mine. He’s serious. My heart thuds in my chest. One. Two. Three. It thumps with its speed.
“You mean that?” My voice squeaks as he dangles a happily ever after in front of me that I can’t believe is real. Us together. Now. Today. A baby. Forever. “Remember, I’m on the pill.”
“Yes, I mean that. You’re mine, and no one is coming between us. Not my father. Not your father. Not Heather. Not a single person. We’re getting married and raising a family together, and not necessarily in that order.” His jaw flexes. “This isn’t a yes or no question, so lose the pills.”
The man is too much. I launch myself at him until my legs are wrapped around his waist, and his mouth is smashed against mine.
Chapter Forty-Nine