Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 100478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“Among other things, yes.”
“Other things?”
“I never want to be without you again. I never want to be alone again. I want to marry you, Ava. Then I want to take you away with me. I want to show you some of the places I’ve seen. I want to share them with you.”
She blinked, her mouth forming a small O.
“Too much?” I asked.
“Hunter, I thought I lost you. Now you’re talking moving in, marriage, and travel.”
I pulled her closer, our bodies aligning perfectly. My ribs had healed to the point that now I felt only the slightest ache when I moved. “Okay, let’s break this down. Can I convince you to take a few weeks off work and go away with me? We both need to rejuvenate.”
I loved the way her eyes lit up.
“Yes.”
“When we get back, would you live here with me?”
“Yes.”
“When I ask, will you marry me?”
“Why do you love me?”
“Because of your heart. The way you love me. Accept me. I love your feisty business side, but I adore the vulnerable, soft side you let me see. I like the fact that you need me as much as I need you. I love your laugh, your directness, and your sweet soul. All of you, Ava. I love all of you because you were made for me. You are the gift I’ve been given to make up for everything that came before. I’d do it all again if it meant I got you.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“I know you worry about what happened before. The men who hurt you. I promise never to do that again. You will never be too much, or not enough. You are perfect for me. I’m only sorry I was too scared to admit it.”
Her lips quivered, but she smiled. “Okay, then.”
“Okay, you’ll marry me?”
She nodded.
I reached into my pocket and held up a ring. “This was my grandmother’s. It was in the last envelope. My grandfather hoped I would give it to the woman I loved.” I slid it on her finger. The dainty band was scattered with tiny diamonds and probably wasn’t worth much monetarily, but sentimentally, I knew Ava would know its value. “Wear this until we can pick out something together. You can wear it as a band if you want or on your other hand.”
“It’s so pretty.”
“It marks you as mine.” I met her beautiful eyes. “You are mine, right?”
“Yes. And you belong to me.”
“I’ve never belonged anywhere before.”
She pressed her mouth to my lips, her voice a gentle hum to my ears.
“Welcome home, Hunter.”
Epilogue
Thirteen months later
Hunter
I carried a tray into the bedroom, smiling at my wife as she slumbered. Sundays were still her day to sleep in, and usually I made sure she wasn’t disturbed, but today was a special day. I slid the tray on the table, sitting beside her on the mattress. I swept away the hair that had fallen across her face, running my finger down her cheek.
“Wake up, Little Dragon.”
She frowned, pursing her lips and burrowing back under the covers.
I leaned closer. “Baby, I got bacon.”
Her eyes opened, the unique blend of greens, golds, and browns sleepy and soft. “Bacon?” she asked, her voice raspy but hopeful. Ava was crazy for bacon, swearing it belonged in its own food group.
I kissed her. “Sit up.”
With a grimace, she pulled herself up to lean against the headboard, and I slid the tray onto her lap. There was the promised bacon, toast, and coffee on the tray. I had picked a rose from the garden and put it in a glass since I wasn’t sure where the vases were. She grinned as she looked at the tray, picking up a piece of bacon. “Mmm,” she mumbled. “Delicious.”
Laughing, I did the same. I lifted my coffee cup and waited until she picked up hers. “Happy anniversary, my Little Dragon.” We clinked cups, and she smiled before taking a sip.
“I thought you’d sleep in today too,” she said, nibbling on some toast and sliding another piece of bacon into her mouth, thinking I didn’t notice. “Not get up and cook. You had a crazy week.”
“It was busy,” I agreed. I had accepted the job with ABC as a foreman. I loved the work, the people, and the satisfaction I got over a job well done. Their expectations were high, and I strove to make sure they were maintained. Van still did some work with both companies, and I enjoyed working alongside him. We had just finished a flip in town, the deadline threatened because of supply issues. But we sourced, found, and brought in what was needed and made it just under the wire. We worked double shifts to make it happen.
I leaned forward and kissed her. “But I didn’t want to spend the day sleeping. I wanted to make you breakfast then take you out on the boat. I want you all to myself today.”