Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 65370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Suddenly, he knew what he needed to do. Kathryn had said he would never know what Riley wanted if he didn’t ask. She’d probably meant for them to talk about their future, and she was right that they needed to talk more and assume less, but he was still Thornwell Shipton, and he was all about big gestures. So he slipped out of bed and left Riley a note that he was running an errand and would be back soon.
He showered, dressed quickly, and made sure Riley was still sound asleep. He wanted coffee, but he didn’t want to make noise, so he’d have to get some in town.
Once he was in the little village, he stared at the row of shops. It was seven o’clock on a Monday morning. Where the hell was he going to get a ring? Not that he’d intended this one to be anything but a placeholder for the real thing, but he wanted the nicest thing he could find. Sadly, none of the kitschy gift shops were open. But he wasn’t going back until he had a ring and a coffee. Maybe getting coffee first would help him think.
The little gourmet shop where they’d shopped the day before wasn’t open yet. Didn’t someone need arugula and goat cheese for their morning omelet? At least there was a coffee kiosk in the square. He got a cappuccino and an iced mocha to take home to Riley. The only other thing that appeared to be open was the Village Market, where you could get basic groceries and things travelers might have forgotten, like beach towels and sunscreen. When he stepped inside, a vending machine by the door caught his eye. It was the kind where you could put in a quarter and get a prize. Could he? No. Yes.
He kept putting in quarters until a Spiderman ring came out. Riley would certainly be surprised.
After he let himself back into the cabin, he set the coffees on the counter and made a reminder in his phone to call his favorite jewelry shop as soon as they were open.
When he entered the bedroom, Riley was sitting up in bed, doing something on his phone.
“I brought you a mocha,” he said, handing the drink to Riley.
“Thanks. What did you need to get so early?”
All of a sudden doubt overtook him, his heart pounded, and his palms started to sweat. He put his coffee down. “I…”
Riley sat up. “Thorne, are you okay?”
“Y-yes. You know yesterday when you said ‘forever’?”
Riley’s eyes widened. “Yes.”
He moved around to Riley’s side of the bed and knelt as he dug into his pocket. “I’d intended to wait to do this, to make a big deal, go out to a fancy restaurant, all the trappings.”
“But you’re impatient?”
Thorne nodded. “Riley Dashwood, will you marry me?” He offered the plastic ring in his open palm.
Riley stared at it. “Is that…Spiderman?”
“Yes. It’s all I could find at this hour. It’s only until we’re back home. I…” He looked up at Riley who hadn’t answered.
Riley took the ring and slipped it on his pinky, the only place it would fit.
“So…”
“Yes, I will marry you, Thornwell Shipton.”
Thorne’s heart was threatening to burst through his chest it beat so hard. “You will?”
“Did you think I’d say no?”
“Um… I wasn’t sure.”
“Thorne, it’s not always easy living with you, but I love you so much, and I can’t imagine wanting anyone else. You’re perfect for me.”
“I am?” Thorne asked, unable to accept his good fortune.
“Yes. And if you get back in bed, I’ll show you just how much.”
That was an idea Thorne supported one hundred percent.
When he was naked and cuddled against Riley, Thorne took his left hand and touched the ring. “You don’t actually have to wear that. I just wanted to have something to give you.”
“Of course I’m going to wear it. I can’t wait to show it off to everyone.”
He grabbed his phone and snapped a picture. “I’m sending it to Marc and Susan right now, unless you don’t want anyone to know yet.”
Thorne grinned. “I want everyone to know, but you better send it to Kathryn too.”
“You know,” Riley said, setting his phone down, “I think they can all wait just a little while.”
He pulled Thorne down for a kiss. It was sweet, soft, gentle. “I’ve always wanted a Christmas wedding. Do you think we can pull that off?”
Thorne grinned. “Absolutely.”
“Good. But I don’t want to make any more plans. You know what I want to do instead?”
“What?”
“I want to fuck my fiancé until he can’t breathe.”
Thorne grinned. “Your fiancé is very happy to oblige.”
Riley kissed him, and this time it wasn’t sweet or gentle. It was hot and demanding, and they were both as happy as they’d ever been.