Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
I notice him doing that a lot lately. Neither of us have talked about all the unprotected sex we’ve been having. We both know what it’s going to mean eventually. I wonder if he thinks the same is going to happen with this ring on my finger. The ring is heavy. The giant ruby is more than perfect. No one is going to miss this thing. I’m sure that’s the point.
“You didn’t ask,” I finally say when I catch my breath.
“Did you think I would? Told you I’m done waiting. You’re mine.”
I turn my head to kiss him. “I want a winter wedding, so we better get a move on it or you’ll have to wait ‘til next year.”
“Good thing I’m rich and can give you any damn thing your heart desires.”
“Hey, it can be small.”
“I’m teasing you. If I had my way we'd have this wedding before the new year.”
I smile against his mouth, loving the fact that he’s in such a hurry to make me his wife. “I can’t wait to show Grams.” I wiggle out of the bed, heading straight for the shower. Knox is hot on my heels. “You can’t join me. I’m trying to get to Grams to show her my ring so we can start wedding plans.” I’m already about to burst with excitement.
Grams and I have already been making all kinds of plans. More to do with me moving back to town and opening my own little marketing company. I figured I could have a few clients and keep helping her out in the bakery. Working there these past few weeks has fulfilled me more than any of the time I spent at my fancy marketing job in the city. I hated every second of it. It was so impersonal and not me.
“We’re not going to Grams’,” he says, ignoring me and stepping right into the shower with me.
“She’s coming here? I don’t want her driving in this weather.”
“I’d never let her drive in this. We’re doing Christmas at my father’s. Grams is already there. Then we have Merry’s thing tonight,” he reminds me.
“Wait. Grams is at your dad’s?” I don’t think I could be more shocked if I tried.
I know Abner has been hanging around the bakery a lot. He’s smitten with Grams, but she hasn’t been giving him a chance. She really has been making the man work for it. Did he finally crack her? It’s been cute watching the two of them spar. I’m not the least bit mad at Abner. If anything, I’m a bit sad for him. It must be lonely to go your whole life and never know true love.
He’s been extra sweet to me since Knox made it clear he would always pick me. Told him to pull his head out of his ass if he wanted to have a family and know his grandkids. Abner might not have loved his wife, but he does love Knox. I truly believe that whatever he’s done in regards to Knox was because he wanted what he thought was best for him.
“She’s got him running around and getting the place Christmas ready. Wait till you see it.” He turns me in his arms. The warm water sprays over the two of us. “You’re always sexy, Red, but you in only my ring? Fantasy fuel.” His hard cock presses into my stomach.
“How are you still hard?” I laugh.
“Your fault. You’ve always done this to me. Only you.” He leans down, pressing his mouth against mine.
“I love you, Knox.” I wrap my arms around him, not caring if we’re late. The rest of the world can wait. We’ve waited long enough.
“Love you too, Red,” he says between kisses.
I thought for so long Knox was only a crush, but a crush you can get over. He was never that. He was always the boy I loved. Now he’s the man I’ll love forever.
EPILOGUE
KNOX
A giggle sounds from under the stairs. Dad comes creeping from the sitting room, his Santa hat with the bell on the end jingling softly.
Another giggle.
He winks at me and eases over to the small closet. “Mr. Finley, I do believe we have a mouse,” he announces.
Mr. Finley appears from the office, a tired but slightly amused look on his face. “A Christmas mouse?”
Giggle.
“One with big brown eyes and a penchant for mischief,” Dad announces.
The entire house is decked out in Christmas finery. Walls with swags of greenery and red bows, the stair railing draped with ribbon and garland, and mistletoe over every door. This old mansion has had a new life ever since Lorraine moved in.
“They’ve been playing all morning,” Ruby whispers as she comes up behind me.
I tuck her under my arm. “I swear it’s like Dad gets younger every year.”
“That’s Grams’ doing.” Ruby rolls her eyes with a smile. “Like teenagers, those two.”