Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Oh wow. I loved my guy. So much love, but where did my proposal land? I rifled through the crumpled tissue paper and matching ribbons that kept the treasure securely inside. Finally, I made it to the bottom and saw a ring box. My eyes shot up to Beau as I dropped the small gift into my palm. With seriously bated breath, I opened the lid. My bottom lip tucked between my teeth.
A ring, made in the same fashion as the bracelet from yesterday. “Is it from the same place? The wood comes from Sea Springs?”
“Yeah. You can wear it until we can get you something else,” Beau said. In my periphery, I caught him sliding on the ring I’d given him.
“We’re supposed to wait until our commitment ceremony to wear them,” I said, letting the weight and texture of the antique silver and smooth shaving of the oak tree caress across the pad of my thumb.
“We’re giving our pledge right now,” Beau said. He lifted a hand to cup my neck, drawing me forward for a sweet sampling of our lips. I loved the way he touched me, giving me meaning and depth. He filled my soul with joy and purpose. He moved away too soon, but only by inches, staying close to my face. “I pledge my life to you. Now say it back.”
“Are you sure you want to do it this way? We could dress up and exchange vows. Have a party…”
Beau literally laughed in my face. “With who there? My mom?”
“Good point. She might want to see what we’re doing,” I offered, trying to be forward thinking, but a bit of sweet sex might be a better idea.
“She’ll be fine. We’ll tell her before we leave this morning,” Beau said as I began to move closer to my nightstand.
Before I managed a single inch away, Beau’s strong palm landed on my thigh, locking me in place.
“What do you need?” Beau asked as he rolled on top of me, extending his hand to the nightstand. “In the drawer?” I was forced to lie underneath him as he opened the drawer and felt around. “You need this box?”
“Yes and get up. You’re making me into a taco,” I said, pushing at his chest until his back was against the headboard again, his palm extended for me to take the box. Sometimes, I had to remind myself how much I loved that bulldozer of a man. I swiped the box, tamped down my frustration, and opened the lid. It held a matching ring, a duplicate of Beau’s.
“I felt like this might go down this way,” I said, turning the box to him. After a month of shopping for wedding bands, the design of these rings, with a unique script pattern and beveled edges, had me buying both on the spot. I regretted it only because I loved the idea of Beau buying me the ring. “I bought one for me, but I’ll return it.”
“No,” Beau said, his calloused palm resting on my hand, covering my attempt to close the ring box. “Match mine. I don’t know how long the other ring will last.” As suddenly as he had placed his hand on mine, he did a fluid move of untangling from me and left the bed.
How hadn’t he figured out that he was my anchor, keeping me in place. I tumbled into his spot. Both rings fell from my grip.
“Don’t put the ring on. Let’s tell my mom and slide them on in front of her. Since we’re all we have, it’ll be done.”
I gathered myself, moving up on all fours, looking for what I lost. “They’re by my pillow,” Beau said, going for the closet. “And quit flirting with me. We’ll do that later.” I didn’t immediately understand until I realized I was positioned for doggy-style sex.
Beau seriously had a one-track mind—food then sexy time, or sex then a multi-course meal. I tumbled from the bed, not nearly as gracefully as Beau, and made a beeline for the closet. Beau was already slipping on some athletic shorts that hugged his muscular frame. I took credit for how well the shorts framed his strong legs. It took me forever to get him to agree to a shorter inseam, remaining oblivious to the eye-fucking I regularly did, admiring his hard body.
Suddenly, fabric hit my face. You’d think with as much staring as I was doing, a person would’ve seen my shorts flying at me. More importantly, since his mom had been here for over a month, I’d relaxed my appearance standards. Still, I couldn’t just go there willy-nilly. I needed a brush on my teeth and hair, and most likely a quick shave. I quickly changed direction, pivoting toward the bathroom.
“Don’t take too long,” Beau said, shoving his hair off his face. “I’m gonna get her up. Let her get her coffee. Put the rings in your pocket.”