“Yeah, baby, I feel you tightening around me. Let go.” He pumps harder and presses me against the spray. His grip on my waist in so tight, I’ll have bruises.
I hold on as long as I can, but the orgasm hits me hard and I cry out. “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God…” It doesn’t stop and I continue coming against the pressure of the water and his pounding from behind.
Pleasure pulses through my body when I feel him explode in me groaning loudly. He doesn’t stop moving as his own release takes control of his body. I shift to the side away from the jet. Reed doesn’t pull out but turns and sits down, holding me flush against his body. Our hearts beat in rhythm as we regain our breath.
“You are incredible.” He whispers in my hair.
“Reed, I think you may have broken me. Seriously, I’m still tingling.”
“Then I did it right.”
I lean into him and let my head fall back onto his chest and listen to the waves in the distance. I feel sleep taking over until he moves us.
“Let’s get you to bed.” He reaches for the towels and stands us up.
We wrap in the towels and when he turns, the faint light catches the bandage on his upper left shoulder. I run my fingers gently over it and he grins at me.
“Can I look?”
“Here? Now?”
“Well, yeah, what’s wrong with here?”
He looks at me nervously and doesn’t answer.
“Reed, why are you acting funny?” I reach for the tape and he grabs my wrist.
“Let’s go into the light so you can see it better.” He leads me to the other side of the patio and sits me in a lounge chair. Then he gets on his knees beside me and turns.
I peel the bandage back gently, and suck in a breath when it’s fully exposed.
The black ink is elegantly scripted, and it reads Davis Luke Matthews with his birthday etched under it.
Tears spill down my cheeks. I can’t describe the emotions coursing through me. He turns around and takes my hands into his.
“Baby, I should have asked, but it felt right. I need him to have my last name. Please say it’s okay?”
I nod my head and try to pull my hand back so I can wipe my eyes but he holds tighter.
“He’s not the only one Ari. I want you to have my last name too.”
Air leaves my lungs and I start shaking.
“Arianna Rose, I’m serious about forever with you. There’s a reason we saw each other on that beach in April. We are meant to be together. I will work every day of my life on this earth to be the man that deserves you. You are selfless, strong, smart, beautiful, caring and above all, the most loving woman I have ever known. There is no doubt I am not worthy of you, but I would be privileged if you would marry me. Say yes to me and to our forever.”
My mind stops working as I try to process his words. Did he ask? Was this a proposal? It sure seemed like a proposal. Tears continue to fall down my face and my vision is blurred.
“Angel, will you marry me?”
Okay, he definitely asked that time.
“Yes!” I croak and throw myself at him.
Our bodies join together and he holds me so close there’s not an inch of us not touching. I cry softly into his neck with happiness. I feel his tears touching my shoulder and squeeze tighter.
“Reed Matthews, I love you with every breath I take.”
He moves quickly and pulls me with him. One arm goes under my knees and he lifts me up. “I need you in bed. And after tonight, I’m having that hot tub moved to my house.”
I giggle a bit and think of a better place. “Sweetheart, we have your pool, dock, and entire home. Why don’t you move it to my place?”
He grunts but doesn’t say anything as he walks us to the bedroom.
Once again, I gasp as we enter. There are dozens of post-its around the room. In his handwriting is the single phrase ‘say yes’. When he sets me down, I look at him with confusion.
“I had this all planned out—the seduction, the sex, then the romance. You caught me off guard wanting to see the tattoo.” He reaches around to the shorts he was wearing earlier and takes out a box.
“You already said yes, Ari, this is just the icing on the cake.” He is still behind me, holding me close. He doesn’t move but slides his hand down my arm and ends at my ring finger. I feel the cool medal as he slides it over my knuckle and upwards.
“Forever, Ari, that’s what I want—you, me, our children, forever. You have always been it for me.” He kisses my temple and I feel the weight on my hand as he turns me.