Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“I already told you I’m not going anywhere,” he says, tucking my hair behind my ear before cupping my face.
“I know. You’re good at your job, and you’ll be okay. That’s not what I mean.” I take a deep breath and then admit an insecurity that’s been running through my mind since the first time Pierce made it clear he likes me. “You have a beautiful home, a career. You’re financially stable, you have a close, supportive family, and you’re so sweet and patient and loving. You’re like every woman’s perfect man…”
“But…” he prompts.
“I have nothing to bring to the table. I’m a broke, single mom with no family or friends. I have no assets or education or—”
“That’s enough,” he says forcibly, shaking his head.
I’m momentarily taken aback because I’ve never heard Pierce use that kind of tone with me. I must make some kind of face because his features soften instantly.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “It’s just that I don’t give a fuck about any of that. My family can be your family, this home can be your home. My money can be yours. Who gives a shit about whether you went to school? You said it yourself: you want to be a wife and a mom, and I’m completely okay with that.”
He reaches up, framing my other cheek. “All I want is you, sweetheart. I want your mind, your heart. I want that adorable little girl that comes with you. I want to fill you with more babies, if that’s what’s in the cards for us. I want you in this home, sharing a bed with me. I want mornings and days and nights with you.”
He bends slightly and presses his mouth to mine. The kiss is soft and sweet but ends too quickly. “I just want to be happy with you,” he whispers against my lips. “Trent is gone, but you’re still alive, and you deserve to find your happiness. Now, the question is, do you think you can find that happiness with me?”
“Yes,” I blurt out without needing to think about it. I know I can because I’m already happy. Every time I’m around Pierce, it’s as if everything else fades away. It’s just me, him, and Jordan. The bills I’m behind on don’t matter, the mostly empty fridge is pushed to the side. My stress over having to go to school when I’m dreading it is out of my mind.
When I’m with Pierce, I’m only focused on the now, on being with him. I laugh and smile and enjoy myself. Could I be happy without him? Yes. But do I want to be? The answer is no. I want Pierce in our lives.
“I want everything you said,” I admit. “The babies, the home, and sharing a bed with you. I want the mornings and days and nights. I want the dinners, the vacations, and the family. I want it all, and I want it with you.”
“Then marry me,” he says.
“What?” I gasp.
“Marry me.” He gets down on one knee and looks up at me while my heart flutters rapidly. “I planned to ask you this weekend at the festival, with a ring and a romantic proposal, but I can’t wait. I wasted years of my life with the wrong woman, on the wrong path, and you know firsthand how delicate life can be. It can be taken from us in the blink of an eye.”
I nod profusely in agreement, because despite the craziness of him down on one knee proposing marriage, he’s not wrong. We’ve both learned the hard way that life can change at any moment.
“I don’t want to waste another day,” he continues. “I’ve fallen in love with you and your daughter, and it’d make me the happiest man on earth if you’d marry me and share your life with me. I want you, Kelsie, for however long I can have you.”
“Yes,” I breathe. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
A huge smile spreads across his face. Then he’s on his feet, lifting me into his arms, his firm lips curling around mine. My legs wrap around his waist, and we kiss as he walks us to his bedroom. When he lays me in the center of the bed, he breaks the kiss, and I pout, wanting his mouth on mine.
“Tell me again,” he requests, his mouth against my lips.
It takes a second for me to understand what he’s talking about, but once the fog clears from my brain, I give him the words he wants to hear.
“I want to marry you, Pierce. I want forever with you.”
His eyes light up with a mixture of love and desire as his fingers wrap around the hem of my shirt, pulling it over my head. Then, with a quick flick of the clasp, he removes my bra. He slides down the bed so he can unbutton and unzip my jeans. With his fingers hooked into my panties and jeans, he tugs the material down my legs, leaving me completely naked and ready for him.